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ISLAMABAD: A unusual development emerged during the hearing of cases related to a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in Islamabad after police presented a man who has no arms in court on allegations of throwing stones and wielding sticks during the demonstration. The case relates to a protest held on August 5 in connection with supporters expressing solidarity with PTI founder Imran Khan. Several people arrested in connection with the protest were produced before the District and Sessions Courts in Islamabad. Among those presented was Altaf Ullah, who had been arrested by police and booked at Koral Police Station. Authorities accused him of involvement in acts including stone-pelting during the protest. However, the case took an unusual turn when the accused’s lawyer, Sardar Masroor, challenged the allegations before Duty Magistrate Rizwan-ud-Din. The lawyer argued that his client could not have carried out the alleged acts because he has no arms. He asked the court to consider the physical condition of the accused before proceeding with the case. The court examined the accused in the courtroom and confirmed that both of his arms were absent. Following the observation, the court discharged Altaf Ullah from the case. He was therefore released from the proceedings related to the allegations brought against him. The incident has drawn attention because of the apparent contradiction between the allegations in the police case and the physical condition of the accused. The case highlights the importance of verifying allegations and considering available evidence during legal proceedings. While police had accused the man of involvement in stone-pelting and wielding sticks, the court’s examination of his physical condition led to his discharge. The development came during hearings involving people arrested over the August 5 PTI-related protest in Islamabad. Authorities had registered cases against individuals accused of various activities during the demonstration. The court’s decision in Altaf Ullah’s case means that he has been discharged from the particular case presented before the magistrate. The PTI protest man without both arms arrested case has since attracted attention because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the arrest and subsequent court proceedings. Further proceedings in other cases related to the protest are expected to continue separately.

LAHORE: The Punjab government has intensified its province-wide campaign against Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without valid legal documentation, with more than 140,000 people repatriated from Punjab so far, according to the Home Department. The department said its Foreign National Security Cell was continuing monitoring and enforcement operations across the province under the government’s national repatriation policy. Individuals found to be residing illegally are being detained and transferred to designated holding centres, where registration and other formalities are completed before their return to Afghanistan. According to official figures, a total of 2,689,295 Afghan nationals have been repatriated from Pakistan, including 140,468 from Punjab. The Home Department said 39 holding centres are currently operational across Punjab, with 188 Afghan nationals presently housed there. Temporary accommodation, registration and repatriation arrangements have been established at these facilities, while those cleared for return are handed over to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border. Officials said checks were being conducted in residential areas and markets across the province as part of the ongoing enforcement campaign. The department maintained that the action was specifically aimed at individuals staying in Pakistan without legal status. The Home Department urged citizens to report cases involving illegal residence, identity fraud or suspicious activities to Emergency Helpline 15, assuring that the identities of informants would be kept confidential. The Foreign National Security Cell is continuing province-wide coordination and monitoring to support the government’s repatriation programme, the department said.