Swati asks CJP, COAS to investigate ‘torture’

PTI senator alleges torture happened in presence of FIA cybercrimes assistant director

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Swati on Tuesday detailed the “torture” he was allegedly subjected to in the custody of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and called on Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to investigate the incident.

Swati, who was taken into custody by the FIA cybercrime unit on October 13 for making ‘controversial claims’ against state institutions, including the army chief, made these remarks during a news conference.

Some shocking details of custodial torture presented by @AzamKhanSwatiPk in his press conference. #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/RuB1J4eNIu

— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 1, 2022

Swati had recently alleged he was stripped and tortured while he was in custody. PTI chief Imran Khan had termed Swati's dentation illegal, stating 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.

Addressing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Bajwa in his presser, Swati said that "the COAS has 27 days left at the army general headquarters (GHQ)", urging him to "follow the Constitution and summon FIA cybercrime assistant director Ayaz Khan".

He stated that Ayaz would name the people involved within "five minutes".

The senator alleged that the FIA official was present on the occasion and driving the vehicle during his torture.

He asked that the phones of all individuals present be checked for video evidence of his torture, and see who was "laughing" during the ordeal.

“They covered my head and kept hitting me throughout, while someone recorded everything as I screamed," he added.

The senator alleged that he was then taken to an unknown location and physically tortured and forced to strip naked.

“Bajwa sahab… if your agency says this incident did not occur, then let me state that is not politics. This is a breach of my honour and my family’s honour,” he said.

“If I am lying then the Almighty will punish me,” he said, reiterating that he was tortured inside his house as well.

Swati maintained that he would not only voice the incident nationally but also internationally, because “if a senator is not respected, then citizens’ are not protected either”.

He complained about the Constitution not being respected by all and named two military officials who considered themselves “above the Constitution”.

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“This 74-year-old senator is not trying to become a source of shame for you. I am a living corpse and fighting for my fundamental rights. I believe that this sacrifice from me and my family will protect a citizen, professor or a general from being stripped,” he stated.

Calling upon the army chief again, Swati said, "I've not been martyred like Arshad Sharif. I am alive”, and asked the COAS to send his men to determine who “played such a disgusting game with a sitting senator”.

'Not political'

He then thanked the chief justice of Pakistan for referring his case to the court’s human rights cell and emphasised that the incident was not politically motivated.

The senator requested that the CJP and other judges deliver justice and prevent such extrajudicial treatment from happening again.

Swati said his "only crime was to tweet about a powerful person", adding that he was appealing to “the supreme commander of Pakistan to exercise his powers under Article 243 of the Constitution. If it was a crime then the due court process must be followed."

He hoped that the apex court would guarantee justice in the matter. Swati expressed hope that the top court would ensure justice in the case.

'Certified criminal'

At the outset of his presser, Swati addressed interior minister Rana Sanaullah and “his stooge Assistant Director Ayaz”. He called Sana a “certified liar and criminal”.

“You know me personally and know I hold my respect above all else,” he said, adding that the minister will reap what he sowed.

The remarks come after Sana rebutted allegations regarding his arrest and handing over to security personnel, saying that no medical report has been submitted by him to support his allegations.

Sana had alleged that Swati’s allegations were baseless and will be challenged legally.

Condemning the allegations of Swati, Sanaullah said that FIA's case against the PTI leader was lawful, completing all legalities.

He said that Swati remained under FIA's custody throughout the investigation and was not even demanded to be handed over to any other institution.

"We treated him according to the law during the custody, and even provided him medical facility properly," he added