Swati urges COAS to 'bury' so-called political wing of ISI

PTI senator reveals names of two military officials who were allegedly responsible for his custodial torture

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Swati on Friday named two military officials for being allegedly responsible for his custodial torture and urged army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to "bury" the so-called political wing of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).  

"Today Bajwa sahab, the eyes of the people are upon you. Every political worker and every official in this country expects that before your retirement, you will bury the infamous political wing of ISI," said the senator as he addressed the media.  

Senator @AzamKhanSwatiPk requested the COAS to end the political wing before retirement. pic.twitter.com/4PKNqT3amo

— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 28, 2022

The PTI leader said he was revealing the identities of those who allegedly tortured him with the "expectation" from the nation, its courts, president, and the parliament that a proper investigation would be conducted and the officials would be "removed from their positions".

"I want to tell the law-violating major general and sector commander, that in my 22-year-long political career, I have seen much better generals, brigadiers, and police inspector generals, who respected me according to my position.”

The PTI senator also vowed on the blood of the army soldiers that he would fight the “black wolves” within their ranks.

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He stated that the ISI was the backbone and soul of the country, however, he alleged that no one was spared from the “blackmail” of certain persons within the institution.

Referring to the armed forces of Pakistan, the senator said that they were the guarantors of the country's survival and its people. He added that honouring the army is the right of every citizen.

Swati maintained that those disparaging the army were "criminals" according to the Constitution, but could only be dubbed “criminal” by the courts after due process.

Swati stated that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah played a minor role in his custodial ordeal, and alleged that it was the FIA Cybercrime Department's fault that a first information report (FIR) was launched against him for a “mere tweet” and demanded that the agency unveil who registered the FIR.

The senator highlighted that the FIA personnel came into his house at 4 am and tortured him in front of his family members and granddaughters. Swati added that a member of his staff was also assaulted.

He questioned what “beasts” the FIA handed him over to, maintaining that the torture was conducted under the nose of the institution.

The PTI leader further stated that the torture had repeated the dark past of Guantanamo Bay within the federal capital, where the parliament and Supreme Court sat.

Swati further said that the doctors at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) should be asked: "who ordered the erasure of the torture marks on his body".

He also asked the magistrates of the federal capital to “not lie” and cover up the incident because of those in power and maintained that they played a role in his torture as they granted his physical remand despite allegations of torture.

Read PTI senator Azam Swati arrested

At the outset of the presser, the senator prayed for slain journalist Arshad Shareef and hoped that the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) adhered to his vow of abstaining from politics.

“The whole nation will observe your resolve in the future”.