Omar Ayub demands dismissal of IG Punjab, IG jail, interior secretary over illegal detention

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and opposition leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, called for the immediate removal of the Punjab Inspector General (IG) of Police, the IG of Prisons, and the interior secretary over what he described as unlawful actions during his detention.

The incident took place while Ayub and other PTI leaders were attempting to meet with the party's founder, Imran Khan, at the jail in accordance with a court order.

Speaking at a press conference in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) House alongside other PTI leaders in Islamabad, Ayub stated, "We came straight from Adiala Jail, where we went to meet the founder chairman as per the judicial orders."

He explained that they arrived at the jail gates at 2 pm, but were subjected to long delays, with jail officials making them wait for six hours. "We asked for a clear answer, yes or no, about the meeting, but were kept waiting."

Ayub further detailed how, while waiting, police officers forcibly grabbed Ahmad Khan Bacher's arm, and vehicles displaying Pakistan's flag, including those of Ayub and fellow PTI leader Shibli Faraz, were blocked.

The drivers were forcibly removed from the vehicles, and the cars were then locked inside the checkpoint. The PTI leader accused the police of unlawful detentions, stating, "Our vehicles were locked inside, and the police said they had orders to arrest us."

He added that they would file a petition for a case against the officers involved and called for the dismissal of Punjab's IG Police, IG Prisons, and the interior secretary. He vowed to bring the matter to Parliament and write to the Chief Justice of Pakistan for further action.

Opposition leader in the Senate, Shibli Faraz, condemned the actions, stating, "This is not just an assault on us; it's an insult to the Constitution of Pakistan."

He emphasised that the PTI members were forcibly removed from their vehicles without explanation and added, "We were dragged out, and our vehicles with the Pakistani flag were taken inside. It is deeply distressing."

Earlier today, PTI top leadership were released after being briefly detained by the Punjab Police outside Adiala Jail over violation of Section 144.

Several leaders, including Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, were arrested by Punjab Police when they attempted to meet incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.