MINGORA: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial lawmaker Dr. Amjad Ali Khan staged an armed attack and high-stakes abduction drama at his residence to avoid participating in his party’s ongoing Long March.
The party and local sources claimed that an armed firing incident and claims of his abduction attempt at his residence in Swat were staged to avoid joining the party’s long march towards Islamabad, as the Islamabad High Court clearly signaled of constitutional action against lawmakers involved in creating anarchy in the federal capital.
Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials denied that law enforcement agencies had conducted a raid at the provincial lawmaker’s residence, while allegations circulated that the firing was arranged by people associated with him.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for PTI, whose leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is attempting to mobilise supporters for a march demanding the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
PTI launched the long march from Lakki Marwat on October 4 after negotiations with the federal government failed to produce an agreement. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is leading the campaign, which has faced security restrictions, route changes and uncertainty over the size of the mobilisation as the convoy moves towards Islamabad.
The party had earlier postponed its planned September 27 march until October 4, with the revised schedule adding to questions about its preparations and ability to sustain pressure on the federal government.
The reported incident involving Dr Amjad Ali has now added another controversy to an already difficult campaign.
