Lahore police have detained a PTI activist accused of orchestrating a May 9‑style violent training camp.
The operation, carried out on Thursday morning in the Shahdara district, resulted in the seizure of several firearms, improvised explosive materials and instructional pamphlets that allegedly outlined tactics for coordinated street unrest. Investigators say the suspect, identified only as a male supporter of Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf, had been recruiting and training a small group of volunteers to replicate the chaotic scenes that unfolded on May 9, when protests turned lethal in multiple cities.
Authorities contend that the training sessions included simulated crowd‑control breaches, the use of blunt objects, and instructions on evading law‑enforcement detection. Police officials linked the alleged plot to recent intelligence warnings about attempts to reignite political violence ahead of the national elections slated for early next year.
Senior officer Malik Raza of Lahore’s Anti‑Terrorism Squad emphasized that the police are maintaining heightened vigilance, noting that any effort to “re‑stoke the flames of May 9” will be met with swift legal action under the Anti‑Terrorism Act and public order statutes. He appealed to citizens to report suspicious gatherings or training activities that could jeopardize public safety.
The Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf has not yet released an official statement regarding the arrest. If the allegations are substantiated, the case could add another layer of tension to an already volatile political landscape, where accusations of orchestrated unrest have become a recurring flashpoint between the ruling coalition and opposition forces.