Imran requests CJ to ensure Fawad's rights in custody

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has once again sought Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial’s intervention to protect the fundamental rights of his party leaders, especially central leader Fawad Chaudhry, who is currently facing remand over sedition charges.

In a two-page letter written to the chief justice on Saturday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan called to attention the plight of party leaders.

Citing examples of party leaders Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gill, he expressed his apprehensions that Fawad would be subjected to the same custodial in violation of Articles 9, 10A, and 14 — which pertain to the right to a fair trial, freedom of speech, and inviolability of the dignity of a human being.

He requested the top judge to ensure that the honour and dignity of Fawad were not violated.

The letter, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, stated: “Two of our senior party office-bearers Azam Swati (Senator) and Shahbaz Gill were subjected to custodial torture. My worry is that Fawad Chaudhry will be subject to similar inhuman treatment in violation of Articles 9, 10-A and 14 of the Constitution.”

“As the custodian of the Constitution of Pakistan which protects our fundamental rights, I request you to ensure the honour and dignity of Mr Fawad Chaudhry are not violated while in police custody”.

Separately, in a tweet, Imran strongly condemned the mistreatment meted out to Fawad and castigated the authorities for producing the party before the court handcuffed and head covered “like a terrorist”.

“Taking Fawad to court handcuffed and head/face covered like a terrorist shows the low and vindictive levels the imported government and the state have reached,” he said.

He noted that the victimisation of Fawad, Swati and Gill left no doubt in the people’s minds that “now we were a banana republic”.

The PTI leader was arrested from Lahore on Wednesday on charges of sedition for "threatening" the chief election commissioner (CEC) and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Following this, an Islamabad court handed Fawad over to the police on a two-day physical remand.

As the remand ended on Friday, he was produced before the court of Judicial Magistrate Waqas Ahmed Raja amid tight security.

An Islamabad court on Saturday accepted a police request for further physical remand of the leader, reversing an earlier order by a judicial magistrate.

Imran’s security top priority

Meanwhile, PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar has underscored that PTI chief Imran was the ‘red line’ and therefore, his security would be taken care of in all possible manners.

Presiding over a party meeting here on Saturday, Asad affirmed party leaders’ commitment to protecting the party chief amid speculations that he faced imminent arrest.

“The leaders of PTI Lahore would be entrusted with important responsibilities relating to the security of the former premier,” he said.

The meeting discussed the security of the PTI chairman besides the current political situation and other important matters.

PTI leaders Shafqat Mahmood, Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Shibli Faraz, Mian Mahmood ul Rasheed, Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Zubair Niazi Dr and Murad Ras were also present.

The former federal minister said the ‘imported’ government was responsible for destroying the country, adding that Imran was waging a struggle to save the country while putting his own provincial governments on the altar of his cause.
He deplored the government’s indifference towards the plight of the masses, alleging that all it sought was to end corruption cases and exact revenge on PTI.

“The rich were getting richer while the poor were getting poorer.”

On this occasion, PTI Central Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid said that the PTI workers were encamped round the clock outside the PTI chief’s residence to protect their leader.

“If anything happens to Imran, the imported government would be held responsible for the fallout. We will stand firm against the imported government’s foul moves,” she added.
She lamented that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government had left no stone unturned to destroy the country in eight months. “However, we would strongly contest the imported government that has brought unbearable inflation in the country,” he added.

He asked the party workers to remain vigilant to protect the party chairman and lamented the caretaker Punjab government for taking back the security from Imran Khan.

PTI Lahore President Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood and General Secretary Zubair Niazi also addressed the meeting.