PTI protests against opposition leader’s arrest

Condemns detention of senior anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan

KARACHI:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Karachi wing held a protest at the Karachi Press Club against the arrest of Sindh Assembly Leader of the Opposition Haleem Adil Sheikh and renowned television anchor Imran Riaz Khan.

A large number of PTI leaders and workers participated in the protest. Speaking on the occasion, PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi said that if any general, judge or prime minister or president speaks wrong, the speech is acceptable and talked about.

"However, if Imran Riaz Khan raises his voice, they don't like it." Naqvi further said that Haleem Adil Sheikh was arrested because the government could not accept his five-hour speech.

PTI Parliamentary Leader in Sindh Assembly Khurram Sher Zaman said that the "imported" government is using strong-arm tactics to oppress the opposition and journalists.

"It is a difficult time for journalists as they expose inflation, unemployment and the incompetence of the imported government. This is a difficult time but it will pass."

Zaman said that the only fault of Haleem Adil Sheikh was that he raises his voice for the oppressed people of Sindh.

Regarding the local bodies elections, Zaman added that everyone saw how the first phase was conducted. "Now the second phase is going to start in Karachi in which PTI will be successful."

He added that PTI will gain success on a large scale in the union councils (UCs) in the local body elections in Karachi and the next mayor of Karachi will be from his party.

PTI Karachi President Bilal Ghaffar said that Haleem Adil Sheikh fought for the rights of the deprived people. "The opposition leader is not alone in his fight." He said that voices raised against corruption cannot be silenced by arrests. "Harassment with fake cases should be stopped now," he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2022.