Police raid PTI leaders' homes ahead of Islamabad long march

Former PM Imran condemns 'brutal crackdown' imposed by the incumbent govt

Two days after the arrest and subsequent release of former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, in a domino effect police raided a number of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders' homes at midnight on Tuesday.

The police raided former finance minister Hammad Azhar's home in Lahore in an apparent attempt to arrest him. Recounting the raid, the PTI leader's mother described how the loud havoc scared her as the police force stormed into her house.

Azhar's guard also explained how the lawenforcers allegedly attacked him and insulted his father, a martyred soldier.

PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid filmed the raid from outside Azhar's residence.

Police raid former finance minister Hammad Azhar's home in an attempt to arrest him. Dr. Yasmin Rashid filmed the raid outside his residence. The police also allegedly attacked the PTI leader's guard.#etribune #news #hammadazhar pic.twitter.com/a39Lgenpq6

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) May 23, 2022

Azhar was not the only PTI leader who faced police force and breach of privacy, the police were stationed outside former interior minister Sheikh Rashid's house earlier on Monday.

After a multitude of police barrelled into Hammad Azhar's residence, the lawenforcers also entered former special assistant to the prime minister Usman Dar's home.

Similar to Azhar, Usman Dar was also not at home so the police were unable to arrest him. Speculations on these attempted arrests have surfaced with many considering the possibility that these are linked to former prime minister Imran Khan's Islamabad long march which will take place on Wednesday (May 25).

After the attempted arrest Azhar tweeted a defiant, "stop us if you can".

روک سکو تو روک لو

— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) May 23, 2022

Taking to the microblogging site, the PTI chairman warned the incumbent government that 'these fascist steps will further exacerbate the economic situation and push the country into anarchy.

Already economy is in a tailspin. I want to warn the crooks & their handlers that these undemocratic & fascist steps will further exacerbate the economic situation & push the country into a state of anarchy.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 23, 2022

Imran reinforced the right to peaceful protests in a democratic country and condemned the 'brutal crackdown' imposed by those in power.

Peaceful protest is the right of all our citizens. The brutal crackdown on PTI ldrs & workers in Punjab & Islamabad has once again shown us what we are familiar with - the fascist nature of PMLN when in power. The present crackdown also raises serious questions abt the Handlers.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 23, 2022