May 9 mayhem: NADRA blocks ID cards of 18 PTI leaders

ISLAMABAD: Following the incident of arson and vandalism on May 9, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has blocked the identity cards of 18 leaders from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

This action came in response to a request from the Lahore Police, who identified these individuals as wanted suspects in the May 9 incident.

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The blocked identity cards by NADRA include prominent PTI leaders figures such as Murad Saeed, Azam Swati, Hammad Azhar, Mian Aslam Iqbal, and Hafiz Farhat Abbas. Additionally, the cards of Karamat Ali Khokhar, Ali Amin Gandapur, Imtiaz Sheikh, Wasim Qayyum Abbasi, Ali Asghar Manda, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, Jamshed Cheema, Ahmad Niazi, Zubair Khan Niazi, Asad Zaman Cheema, Saeed Ahmad Sindhu, Nadeem Abbas Bara, and Ghulam Mohiuddin Dewan have also been blocked.

The police officials stated that the ID cards of the accused will remain blocked until they join the investigations and appear before the anti-terrorism court.

Authorities said the suspects will no longer be able to avail the facilities entitled for the holders of the identity cards.

It may be noted that after the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9, the PTI held a nationwide protest. During which military, civilian and private facilities were set on fire, government and private property was seriously damaged, at least 8 people were killed and 290 injured.

This move by NADRA signifies a significant escalation in the government’s response to the May 9 incident, affecting key members of the PTI.