‘Banana republic’: Imran slams treatment meted out to Gill in police custody

Former PM shares video showing PTI leader being shifted to hospital on stretcher wearing oxygen mask

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has slammed the treatment meted out to party leader Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested by Islamabad police in sedition case last week, saying “the civilised world will be shocked at our levels of barbarism”.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Shahbaz Gill was rushed to a hospital. In a video shared by ex-PM Imran Khan, the PTI leader can be seen lying on a stretcher while an oxygen mask helps him breathe. Imran Khan claims that Gill was tortured while in police custody.#etribune #news pic.twitter.com/9hLNxkcGqm

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) August 17, 2022

Imran on Wednesday shared a video in which Gill can been being shifted to a hospital on stretcher while wearing oxygen mask.

“Descending into a banana republic. The civilised world will be shocked at our levels of barbarism. The worst part is an easy target has been chosen to make an example of through torture & without a fair trial,” the PTI chief wrote in the tweet.

Descending into a banana republic. The civilised world will be shocked at our levels of barbarism. The worst part is an easy target has been chosen to make an example of through torture & without a fair trial. pic.twitter.com/BJve8kv8FN

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 17, 2022

In a follow-up tweet, he said no action was taken against the leaders who are now part of the coalition government including PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, her daughter Maryam, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP leader Asif Zardari for targeting the state institutions.

Also read: Punjab govt refutes Imran’s claim on Gill custodial torture

“[…] all of whom have in the worst possible way & repeatedly attacked state institutions through malicious and targeted statements against them, get away without even a hint of a reprimand,” he added.

Meanwhile the likes of NS, Maryam, MFR, AZ, all of whom have in the worst possible way & repeatedly attacked State institutions through malicious & targeted statements against them, get away without even a hint of a reprimand.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 17, 2022

Earlier today, a local court accepted the police’s request seeking an extension of Gill’s physical remand in the sedition case.

The reserved verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, following which Gill was handed over to the police for two more days of physical remand.

The court stated that it is not fully satisfied that the PTI leader's investigation is complete, adding that Gill should be handed over to the police for another 48 hours to conclude the investigation in the case.

Gill was arrested from Bani Gala Chowk in Islamabad last week after a video clip of his controversial remarks went viral on social media. He was subsequently booked on charges of inciting mutiny in the military.