The law enforcement agencies (LEAs) personnel on Sunday detained 55 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers for holding a convention in the Kahna area of Lahore despite the fact that permission had been obtained from the district administration for the purpose.
The authorities entered the site forcefully and raided the office of the PTI leader responsible for organising the event. During the operation, the police reportedly damaged office property by breaking windows and tearing down the PTI banners and posters.
Highlighting the brazen disregard for privacy and legal protocol, the PTI released video evidence showing the absence of a proper search or arrest warrant during the raids, labelling the actions as illegal and a violation of fundamental rights.
The PTI fiercely criticised the arrests of its party workers who had gathered for a scheduled workers' convention in Kahna, decrying the use of force against a peaceful political assembly as a blatant violation of court orders.
In a strongly worded statement, the PTI highlighted the disturbing disparity in treatment, pointing out the stark contrast between the handling of its workers and the preferential VIP protocol provided to what they deemed a "fugitive criminal” – a reference to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s homecoming, which took place on Sunday.
The PTI alleged unwarranted police intrusion into the premises of the convention organiser, Advocate Muhammad Afzaal. The party claimed that personal property was desecrated during the raids carried out by the LEAs.
‘Nazi methods’
The party accused the LEAs of engaging in biased behaviour, highlighting the stark difference in treatment. They pointed out how there were preferential arrangements made for the public gathering of Nawaz, while permissions were denied and the PTI members faced targeted attacks.
Moreover, the PTI went on to make historical comparisons, equating present-day events to the methods employed by previous autocratic regimes. Citing methods of brutal suppression employed by Adolf Hitler in Germany and currently by Narendra Modi in India, it claimed that similar measures were being used against Imran Khan and the PTI.
The PTI provided photographic evidence to highlight the unequal treatment received from the bureaucracy. They showcased instances where officials appeared to offer preferential treatment to convicted former premier Nawaz, while denying the PTI equitable treatment.
The party argued that these incidents demonstrated institutional bias, a lack of respect for the rule of law, and an unfair political environment leading up to the general elections.
Earlier, the district administration had declined permission to the PTI for holding the rally in constituency NA-123 Kahna, prompting the political party to seek legal recourse and approach the Lahore High Court.
However, the court ruled that if the PTI was not permitted to hold their gathering, no one should be allowed to do so.
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