ISLAMABAD: Police stopped parliamentarians and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) from holding a demonstration outside the offices of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) here on Friday.

Led by PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a few dozen party activists accompanied by some members of the National Assembly scuffled with the police who broke up their marchnear the office of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

At PTPs May 11 rally in Islamabad, party chairman Imran Khan had announced that demonstrations would be held outside the E CP offices every Friday until its members resigned.

Some activists exchanged hot words with policemen deployed at a barricade erected to halt the march to the ECP offices situated in the red zone.

MNA Amjad Ali and some activists suffered bruises when theytried to break through the barricade and police pushed them back. Some workers had their shirts torn duringthe tussle.

Since the administration had imposed Section 144 of the CrPC, no demonstration was allowed in the city, particularly in the red zone, PTI leaders were told by the government officials.

While party workers and policemen were pushing and shoving each other, Mr Qureshi remained busy talking to the Islamabad commissioner on phone. He told reporters that earlier the lo-cal administration had allowed the PTI to hold the demonstration but now they had changed their mind.

On the contrary, Commissioner Jawad Paul told Dawn that under an agreement with the PTI, only parliamentarians were to be allowed to go to the ECP offices beyond the Nadra picket. The police abided by the agreement as they had only stopped party workers, not the parliamentarians, he said.

Left with no option, Mr Qureshi addressed the activistsat the barricade and reiterated demands made by the PTI chief at the weekend rally.

`Since the ECP has failed to conduct free, fair and transparent elections, its members should immediately resign,` he said.

Underlining the importance of an independent commission, Mr Qureshi referred to the Indian ECP and said. `This is the only way to hold elections acceptable to all political parties.

He also raised the issue of recounting of votes in four constituencies, adding the party was do-ing so to ensure fair elections in future.

Other party leaders and members of the National Assembly present on the occasion included PTI Information Secretary Dr Shireen Mazari, Chief Whip in the National Assembly Dr Arif Alvi, Nafeesa Khattak, Asad Umar, Ali Mohammad Khan and Sheryar Khan Afridi.

In a statement, Imran Khan condemned the police for using force against peaceful PTI workers. `What else one can expect from the rulers who wereing so to ensure fair elections in future.

Other party leaders and members of the National Assembly present on the occasion included PTI Information Secretary Dr Shireen Mazari, Chief Whip in the National Assembly Dr Arif Alvi, Nafeesa Khattak, Asad Umar, Ali Mohammad Khan and Sheryar Khan Afridi.

In a statement, Imran Khan condemned the police for using force against peaceful PTI workers. `What else one can expect from the rulers who weregroomed by a military dictator, he said.

CORE COMMITTEE: A PTI office-bearer said the party`s core committee would meet on Saturday to discuss the situation arising out of the police action on the rally and the country`s political scenario.

Arrangements for next rally scheduled for May 25 in Faisalabad and by-election on a Punjab Assembly seat in Narowal, where Mr Khan will be addressing a rally on May 20, are also on the agenda of the meeting.