Unwarranted arrest

Fawad Chaudhry’s arrest was an unwarranted act executed by the administration in a hilarious bad taste

It was a day and night of high political drama, and a sad omen for the writ of the judiciary. Former federal minister and PTI stalwart Fawad Chaudhry’s arrest and production in the court of law for his ‘strong-worded’ remarks against the Election Commission was an unwarranted act executed by the administration in a hilarious bad taste. The ugliness was evident all around, as Fawad after his arrest in the wee hours of Wednesday was given a tour de Lahore by police, in utter defiance to the Lahore High Court orders to produce him in the dock. The reason why the police and the caretaker provincial government adopted a deaf and dumb mode, and moved Fawad to the federal capital is hard to guess. But his late night production before an Islamabad’s district and sessions judge and subsequent two-day remand has upped the political heat with dire consequences of a backlash.

What has raised eyebrows is the veracity of the charge-sheet. Fawad is accused of threatening the electoral watchdog members. The FIR books him in criminal intimidation, promoting hate and sedition. Pundits of law, however, believe that the government and the Election Commission had unnecessarily put them in bad light by grossly overreacting. The ensuing drama has to an extent substantiated PTI’s claim that it is facing a smear campaign. Whatever may be Fawad’s contention, the matter was purely one of political argument and abject difference of opinion between two stakeholders. The point that all and sundry who beg to differ with the system in vogue are being booked for sedition is quite unfortunate, and is undermining the spirit of pluralism and democracy.

With Fawad’s case set to be heard by the judiciary in days to come, it’s time for the government to slow down and reflect what should be its priorities. Punjab and K-P are constitutionally on the verge of going to polls, and their caretakers should focus more on it, rather than flimsy issues of intimidation. Likewise, the Election Commission can do a better job by exhibiting largesse to criticism that comes its way. There is no need to exhibit knee-jerk reactions.