PTI's Hammad Azhar says father arrested for organising election rally

Punjab police states action taken in response to violation of ECP's code of conduct

LAHORE:

Former federal minister and PTI leader Hammad Azhar said on Sunday that his elderly father, former Punjab governor Mian Azhar was "arrested" by the police prior to an election rally. 

In a post on social media platform X, Hammad said that his 82-year-old father, an independent candidate supported by PTI running for the NA-129 constituency, intended to "exercise his democratic and constitutional right by leading a rally".

"Pakistan has today been reduced to a total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law. One Nawaz Sharif & his daughter calling the shots and ruining the country."

My 82 year old father arrested. He wanted to lead a rally as per his democratic and constitutional right. Pakistan has today been reduced to a total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law. One Nawaz Sharif & his daughter calling the shots and ruining the country. pic.twitter.com/BEdx5EX60h

— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) January 28, 2024

The PTI leader asserted that his father was arrested for organising an election rally; however, the police said that the action was taken in response to a violation of the Election Commission's code of conduct.

PTI announced a rally in Lahore today, prompting the imposition of Section 144 across the province.

In another post on PTI's Lahore social media platform X, multiple videos showed a large number of people coming out in support of the party. "Rallies are being held everywhere. Despite police brutality, no one will be able to save the runaway Nawaz on February 8." said a tweet

Read Bat-less PTI locked out of parliamentary politics

Earlier this week, PTI's founder, Imran Khan, directed all PTI candidates for national and provincial assemblies in Lahore to participate in a power show on Sunday (today).

PTI announced its intention to conduct public rallies nationwide in a lead-up to the Feb 8 general elections.

As the elections approach near, the party encounters significant obstacles due to an apparent rise in authoritative actions by the state apparatus, particularly in Punjab, the nation's largest province.

Facing a lack of equitable opportunities, PTI has resorted to an innovative approach, utilising the internet and social media for their election campaign.

Following an unsuccessful legal battle to protect its iconic election symbol "bat," the party has sequentially launched websites to assist voters in identifying PTI-backed candidates and their respective symbols.

This is PTI's first major countrywide power show after the May 9 protests

May 9th

The party found itself in hot water following the events of May 9, when in an unprecedented show of vandalism, protesters allegedly belonging to the PTI, vandalised public and state properties and even attacked the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and Lahore’s Jinnah House, where the corps commander was residing.

The attacks occurred hours after the paramilitary Rangers arrested the PTI chief in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case – later retitled as the £190 million scandal – on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), from the Islamabad High Court premises.

The rioting was followed by a harsh crackdown against the former ruling party leaders and activists.