Imran asks CJ to protect basic rights

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan resumed his ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ to Islamabad on Saturday with a plea to Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial to protect the fundamental rights of the people.

On the second day of the long march, Imran led his supporters toward Kamoke through the Grand Trunk (GT) Road. On this occasion, senior party leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Azam Swati, Shahbaz Gill, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, and Musarrat Cheema were seen on Imran’s container.

On the occasion, a charged crowd raised slogans in favour of their leader and scolded the federal government by chanting slogans like ‘Imported Government Not Acceptable’.

“It is your [chief justice] job to protect the fundamental rights, and the people are expecting this from you,” the former prime minister said while addressing a huge rally from atop his container at Shahdara.

The PTI chairman further asked the CJ, “If you will not protect the fundamental rights of the people then who will?” he said, “Had the superior courts taken notice of my plea, [Azam] Swati would have been spared of the ordeal he endured,” he added.

“Custodial torture is banned in other countries,” Imran said. Ironically, he added, when he raised the issue of custodial torture on Shahbaz Gill, a contempt of court case was registered against him.

While terming the dentation of Swati illegal, he reiterated that an elderly senior citizen was tortured in front of his grandchildren for “a crime of criticising the institution”, adding that the incident earned Pakistan a bad name.

“Initially, the FIA [Federal Investigation Agency] took Swati in to custody and later he was handed over to the ‘unknown people’. I want to convey a message that we are humans and not sheep, hence do not treat us like animals,” he said.

“Do not expect from us to follow your orders. In the past Nawaz Sharif and company were declared thieves and now it is expected of the people to accept them as honest people!” he added.

The PTI chairman again referred to the news conference of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general, saying that he [ISI DG] claimed that his press conference was non-political, then why he kept targeting just Imran Khan.

“Can he not see the thieves getting the NROs and legalising their plundered wealth that runs into billions of rupees? Can he not see the government committing violation of fundamental rights,” he questioned.

Addressing Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Imran reiterated that when Bilawal Bhutto gave a statement against then ISI sector commander in Karachi, “you removed the official so, now, remove Faisal and Faheem too. These people are bringing bad name to the army and Pakistan,” he added.

“He [General Bajwa] should investigate the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif, who was facing death threats and his mother knows, who were behind it,” Imran continued.

“And later, the ISI DG claims that they do not know who were behind the incident... everyone knows who were behind the threats,” he said. “I am taking out the march to tell people what freedom is; free men rule the world.”

Addressing the marchers PTI Senator Azam Swati also urged Chief Justice Bandial to conduct a judicial inquiry into the torture on him so that no other citizen had to face such ordeal.

He once again accused Maj Gen Faisal Naseer and Brig Faheem Raza of torturing him. He said ‘unidentified armed officials’ entered his house and humiliated him in front of his family.

“I am ready to provide evidence. A very high-tech security system is installed at my house. I am ready to provide CCTV footages of the incident and seek justice from the Supreme Court,” he added.

“I was thinking of [committing] suicide when they undressed me and tortured but the teaching of Islam stopped me. So, I decided to fight for my constitutional right so no grandfather of the country has to face such embracement.

Addressing the CJP, Swati said, “Justice Sahib, I want to see the doors of your court open against this injustice and demand judicial inquiry of this custodial torture on me.”