PTI’s Marwat arrested, shifted to Kot Lakhpat

LAHORE:

As the PTI’s top leadership continues to face cases while being incarcerated, party’s Senior Vice President Sher Afzal Marwat was also taken into custody on Thursday from outside Lahore High Court (LHC) under 3-Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Marwat was leaving the high court after attending a lawyers’ convention when a heavy contingent of police arrested him.
The PTI leader was arrested under 3-MPO. Initially, he was taken to Mozang Police Station.

The Lahore deputy commissioner issued a 30-day detention order for Marwat. Later, the PTI leader was shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail.

The former ruling party shared footage of Marwat’s arrest on X, showing cops dragging him by the collar as several lawyers tried to stop them.

“Abduction of lawyers from the premises of LHC is absolutely shameful and represents once again the respect for courts in the eyes of those in power. Caretaker government is crossing all limits of fascism,” PTI posted on its official X account.

The party urged LHC judges to ensure Marwat’s safe recovery.

In a separate statement, the party termed Marwat’s arrest a “manifestation of the prevailing lawlessness in the country and the fear and cowardice of the people in power”.

“The aim of these unconstitutional and illegal tactics is to escape from polls and impose on people those who were brought under the ‘London plan’,” the PTI stated, adding that the “continued silence of the judiciary” was encouraging such illegal actions.

Speaking to the media outside the ECP in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan censured Marwat’s arrest. He said such actions against the party would affect “transparent polls” in the country.

PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan noted that Marwat was taken into custody by Punjab police when he was on his way to address lawyers in Lahore.

“These tactics show the absolute moral bankruptcy of the illegal caretaker corrupt chief minister Mohsin Naqvi and a spineless Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar.

“The Constitution of Pakistan has been rendered useless and is in effect held in abeyance by the actions of the caretaker federal government. Parliamentary democracy does not exist in Pakistan at this moment in time. Anarchy rules in Pakistan,” he said.

PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan condemned the PTI leader’s “uncalled for arrest” and demanded his “immediate release”.

“The date of election is already announced. There should be equal opportunity for all to engage in political activities,” he said.

'Unite over Imran's cause'

Earlier, while addressing the lawyers’ convention, Marwat asked the nation to think about their fate and “come out for their rights”.

“PTI (ex) chairman (Imran Khan) is fighting for your rights. He is ready to put his life on stake for the future of your children,” he said.

Marwat urged the lawyers’ community to unite, saying they were ready to sacrifice their lives for the country.
In a veiled reference to the powers that be, the PTI leader said he was aware of their “tactics”.

Referring to the riots of May 9, the PTI senior vice president maintained that the occurrence was the “start of rigging” for the upcoming general elections.

He said people will be “surprised” soon, claiming some big names were ready to join the PTI, adding that talks for the purpose continued.

Last week, the PTI leader alleged an attempted abduction by the K-P police while en route to Gulabad near Chakdara for a party convention scheduled in Bajaur.

Marwat claimed that the police made a concerted effort to “abduct” him as he was entering Gulabad, with approximately 300 heavily equipped officers allegedly involved in the incident.

However, following an uproar from the workers present on the spot, the police subsequently released him and instructed them to leave the area.

This development followed the registration of an FIR against Marwat and PTI workers for organising a worker's convention in Swabi on December 3.

Authorities charged 21 local PTI leaders and others for violating Section 144. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1898 empowers the district administration to impose a complete ban on any form of unlawful or unauthorised gathering, rally, assembly, protest, or gathering of more than five people.

Marwat had secured protective bail from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in two cases previously.

In October, a case was filed against the PTI leader in K-P for allegedly provoking the public against state institutions through social media.