Police raids continue in Shangla as former PTI candidate, son arrested

Shangla  – Police raids on the homes and deras of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers continued across Shangla for the fifth consecutive day following the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a former candidate for the provincial assembly and his son reportedly taken into custody.

In the latest action, Haji Abdul Maula Khan, a former PTI candidate for the provincial assembly and former chairman of the Puran Tehsil Council, was arrested along with his son, Talha Mahmood, during a raid in Puran on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, according to local sources.

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Police raids have also been reported at the homes of PTI leaders and workers in Dandai, Alpurai, Chakesar, Besham, Shahpur, Kana, Karora, Alandar, Ajmeer and other areas of the district. Local accounts suggest that several party workers and leaders have been taken into custody during operations in different parts of Shangla, although the total number of arrests has not been officially confirmed.

The reported arrest of Mr Khan, a prominent political figure in Puran, and his son has added to political tensions in the district. Meanwhile, photographs and videos shared on social media by people associated with the PTI purport to show police operations at the homes of party leaders and workers in various localities.

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PTI circles have condemned the raids, alleging that windows and furniture were damaged during some operations and that the sanctity of homes was violated.

They have also expressed concern over the difficulties reportedly faced by family members during the raids, describing the actions as an attempt to put pressure on political workers. The allegations have drawn criticism from political and legal circles. Suleiman Shah Khan Advocate, president of the Shangla Bar Association, and local leaders of the Awami National Party (ANP) have also criticised the raids in statements and posts on social media.

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They have called on the authorities to respect chadar and char diwari, a longstanding cultural principle emphasising the privacy, dignity and sanctity of the home, as well as Pakhtun traditions.

They have urged the relevant authorities to ensure that law-enforcement operations do not infringe upon citizens’ fundamental rights or subject family members to unnecessary hardship. Political and social representatives have stressed that law-enforcement agencies must operate within the bounds of the law, safeguard the rights of residents and protect the privacy of households while taking action against suspects. They have argued that maintaining public order should go hand in hand with respect for civil liberties and local traditions.

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Meanwhile, security arrangements remain tight across Shangla, with additional police personnel deployed at various intersections and other important locations. Police checkpoints and roadside inspections have also reportedly been increased since the imposition of Governor’s Rule.

The heightened security presence and continued police operations have added to the prevailing uncertainty in the district, particularly among PTI supporters. While some party leaders have reportedly remained out of public view, others have continued to use social media to share footage of the raids, condemn the operations and voice concerns over the treatment of political workers and their families.

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