PTI leader Ali Zaidi arrested in Karachi

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Zaidi was arrested on Saturday and police have seized his cellphone, reported Aaj News.

The leader was arrested from the PTI Sindh office.

PTI leader Musarrat Jamshed Cheema said men in plain clothes have arrested and taken Zaidi to an unknown location. She stated that the men had no arrest warrant.

According to PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi, police also wreaked havoc on the premises.

PTI's provincial media department claimed Zaidi was arrested without a warrant. “The police entered the party office without any warrant,” the party’s Sindh spokesperson said. “Zaidi was holding a meeting with district representatives [at the time].”

According to the first information report (FIR), a case was registered on the complaint of a property dealer, Fazal Ilahi, against Zaidi and two other persons.

The FIR noted that Zaidi ran a real estate business in 2013 and had taken a loan of Rs180 million from Fazal Ilahi.

The complainant maintained that an agreement to this effect was signed at Ilahi’s office in the Jamot Para area of Ibrahim Hyderi.

Ilahi alleged that Zaidi refused to transfer the plot in his name despite making promises on many occasions.

The complaint alleged that the “suspect’s had ill intentions” and he had “abused his trust and committed fraud”.

In the FIR, Ilahi also asked for police protection from Zaidi for himself and his family.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan condemned the arrest saying it was part of the 'London Plan' to crush PTI.

“Strongly condemn the arrest of another of our senior leaders, Ali Zaidi from Karachi. All part of the London Plan where Nawaz given assurances PTI would be crushed. Over 3000 PTI workers arrested, abducted, terrorised. Ali Amin & now Ali Zaidi abducted,” he said.

He said a new wave of arrests was expected over the next weekend.

“A new plan underway for more illegal police plus action in Zaman Park after 27 Ramazan or over Eid. They think this will weaken us in case elections are held. Let me state categorically this will not work. People’s anger only increasing & they will see the blowback of this nefarious London Plan in elections.”