Condemnations pour in over Fawad's arrest

Political analysts, journalists, activists slam govt's 'senseless' move as political persecution

Condemnations over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry's arrest poured in from political analysts, journalists and activists on Wednesday questioning the logic behind the move.

Michael Kugelman - a regional political expert - slammed the government saying "if Islamabad fought inflation and debt with half as much rigor as it is fighting the opposition, it would have vanquished the economic crisis many moons ago".

Pakistan’s government has arrested Fawad Chaudhry, a senior opposition leader.

If Islamabad fought inflation and debt with as much rigor as it is fighting the opposition, it would have vanquished the economic crisis many moons ago.

— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) January 25, 2023

Calling out the government for arresting the senior PTI leader for "speaking boldly and challenging" the ruling coalition's politics, prominent journalist Moeed Pirzada blamed what he termed as the "Bajwa-Nawaz-Zardari Faustian Pact-2021" for having turned Pakistan into "the worst place on earth".

Why Arrest Fawad Chaudhry? Just because he speaks boldly and challenges the gutter politics of PDM & its supporters? Pakistan, in last 10 months, has become the worst place on the planet earth! Thanks to "Bajwa, Nawaz & Zardari Faustian Pact-2021"

— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) January 25, 2023

Another political analyst and journalist, Mazhar Abbas condemned the arrest saying there was "no justification" behind it.

No justification in the arrest of key PTI leader Fawad Ch. What have they achieved so far in the cases of Azam Swati, Shahbaz Gill or in the cases against journalists. You have a right to disagree but historically such actions only go against government of the day.

— Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) January 25, 2023

"What have they achieved so far in cases of Azam Swati, Shahbaz Gill or in the cases against journalists?" he said, warning that "historically such actions only go against government of the day".

PTI leaders condemn arrest

Soon after the arrest, condemnations by PTI leaders also started pouring in on Twitter.

Senior party leader and former human rights minister Shireen Mazari lamented over the fact that an "unarmed politician [was abducted in early hours today [and] now being escorted by this huge contingent".

Fawad being taken from CTD Lahore to Cantt court. One unarmed politician abducted in early hours today now being escorted by this huge contingent. Mohsin Naqvi doesn't waste time to show his virulent hatred of PTI & also do his Masters bidding. Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/YWTmI5uG9L

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) January 25, 2023

"Mohsin Naqvi doesn't waste time to show his virulent hatred of PTI & also do his Masters bidding," she added, calling the move "disgusting".

Shaukat Tarin also said, "all Fawad has been asking the State Organs is to fulfill its constitutional obligations and hold free and fair elections".

All, Fawad has been asking the State Organs is to fulfill its constitutional obligations and hold free and fair elections. Is that a crime in a democratic country? https://t.co/WU8QqRAkUJ

— Shaukat Tarin (@shaukat_tarin) January 25, 2023

"Is that a crime in a democratic country?" he questioned.

'Sedition laws are a colonial relic'

Meanwhile, some used the opportunity to simultaneously remind the PTI of similar political persecution when the party was in power.

Activist Ammar Ali Jan, while condemning the arrest tweeted that "we were against sedition laws when PTI used them and we are against them when they are being used against PTI".

We were against sedition laws when PTI used them and we are against them when they are being used against PTI. Sedition laws are a colonial relic meant to suppress the public. Placing sedition charges on Fawad Chaudhry will only aggravate the current crisis.

— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) January 25, 2023

"Sedition laws are a colonial relic meant to suppress the public," he added, warning that "placing sedition charges on Fawad Chaudhry will only aggravate the current crisis."

Read PTI workers gather at Zaman Park to 'protect' Imran from arrest

In a similar tone, a public policy professional, Mosharraf Zaidi, said that Fawad had "celebrated numerous senseless arrests and jailings of his political opponents" and that "he is now on the receiving end of this cycle of this political toxicity".

Fawad Chaudhry celebrated numerous senseless arrests and jailings of his political opponents.

He is now on the receiving end of this cycle of this political toxicity.

Shameful then and now.

Stop the madness.

Release him now.

Announce elections.

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) January 25, 2023

"Shameful then and now," he stated urging the powers that be to "stop the madness", "release him now" and "announce elections".