KARACHI: After a Facebook video showing rights activist Jibran Nasir being detained by the police escort of a judge went viral on the social media on Monday, Twitterati -- including journalists and social activists -- weighed in on the ugly incident.
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Speaking to The Express Tribune, Nasir said: "On what grounds did the high court judge's protocol manhandle me … dragged me out of my vehicle, tore my clothes and slapped me around! That is all I ask.”
"The protocol officer told me that I should be grateful that he didn't shoot me and that he only slapped me," the rights activist said.
"Why don't they charge me with anything after they found out my identity, I guess this is how it feels to be an ordinary citizen in our country," he added.
Rights activist Jibran Nasir beaten up, briefly detained for ‘challenging VIP culture’
"I used to respect Omar Shahid Hamid but after he lied in his tweet just to protect these police officers my respect for him is in the past tense now," he said.
SSP Omar Shahid Hamid, the police chief of District South, said Nasir was involved in a road rage incident in which he tried to block a senior member of the judiciary's vehicle when it crossed him on the road.
Regarding Jibran Nasir incident on Khaleequzaman road: Mr. Jibran Nasir was involved in a road rage incident in which he allegedly tried to block the vehicle of a senior member of the judiciary after that vehicle crossed him on the road.
— Omar Shahid Hamid (@omarshamid) July 2, 2018
Rights activists and journalists doubled down on their support for Nasir, condemning the authorities for the 'police brutality'.
https://twitter.com/faizanlakhani/status/1013800192255102978
Extremely alarming that @MJibranNasir has been arrested by Police in Karachi after a judge’s protocol vehicle hit his car. Here is his Facebook live video from the security vehicle before the policeman snatched his phone https://t.co/gIotkqZHgP #ReleaseJibranNasir
— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) July 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/Abbasayy/status/1013798821913088002
Seeing disturbing reports that Jibran Nasir, a rights activist and an independent candidate in the upcoming polls has been arrested by police in Karachi. He released a video as he was bundled into a police van, saying he was being harassed by a judge's security protocol.
— Asad Hashim (@AsadHashim) July 2, 2018
Others called for Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar to take notice of the incident as Nasir, who is also contesting the upcoming elections as an independent candidate, was arrested by police officers who were part of a High Court judge's protocol.
People also spoke out against the VIP culture in the country and questioned if a politician was being treated in this manner, then how would an ordinary citizen be treated.
Completely unacceptable. Jibran Nasir being arrested by the protocol cops working for a judge. Ridiculous men in positions of authority can ruin the potential of a nation. Hope the CJP will take Notice of it. #freeJibranNasir
— Asad (@MrGulKhan3) July 2, 2018
This is not slap on the face of @MJibranNasir but on the face judiciary Pakistan.
— Muhammad Asif Nadeem 🇵🇰 (@AsifNadeemTTS) July 2, 2018
This judiciary has lost all respect !
No Citizen is above then other, let's stand against VIP culture. Let's reclaim our rights as the citizen of Pakistan. #I_Stand_with_Jibran_Nasir ✌️
Even Nasir's critics came out to condemn the high-handedness of the police and VIP culture. Television anchor and artiste Hamza Ali Abbasi called it a"disgusting display of brutality".
In opinions, I mostly disagree with Jibran Nasir but this disgusting display of brutality by SecurityHead SyedBukhari/Judge FaisalKamal CAN NOT BE TOLERATED. Imagine wht a common man goes through with VIP CULTURE. CJ SAAB, TAKE NOTICE of ur VIP JUDGE & make an example out of him!
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) July 2, 2018
Nasir allegedly attempted to block the vehicle of a senior member of the judiciary.
“I’ve been beaten and being forcibly taken away by [police] protocol [officers] of a judge,” Nasir was heard saying in a Facebook live video.
“This happened because they [protocol vehicles] pushed mine to the roadside along the footpath and was hit with a gun chamber when I attempted to stop them from doing so,” he added.
SSP Omar Shahid, Hamid, who is also a renowned novelist, said the police were inquiring into the incident to get to facts.
Nasir was also quoted by some media reports as saying that a case should be registered against him if he has committed a crime.
Nasir's supporters say CCTV footage would tell who is telling the truth. However, they say the footage should be obtained before it is tampered with by the police.
The CCTV footage should be made public to verify what @MJibranNasir is saying & to punish the errant protocol officer of #SHC judge Faisal Kamal... Before it is tampered with #InSolidarityWithJibran
— afia salam (@afiasalam) July 2, 2018
Speaking to the media inside the police station, Nasir said the VIP culture must end in Pakistan. He further added that the CCTV footage would vindicate him. "If I've committed a crime, I'm ready to face the consequences," he added.
And the amazing @MJibranNasir is now not giving up! He is asking what his crime was and why suddenly after being treated how normal citizens r treated , I am asked to leave? #HumMeinSeAik #FreeJibranNasir pic.twitter.com/L7vsX4RYut
— purani meena (@PuraniMeena) July 2, 2018
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