PTI leaders released after brief detention

Party condemns 'shameful' incident, denouncing attempt to trample basic freedoms

ISLAMABAD:

In a familiar sequence of events, several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders including leaders of the opposition in the National Assembly and Senate were briefly detained by Punjab police on Tuesday as they went to meet their incarcerated leader Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.

PTI leaders and supporters have faced detentions on multiple occasions since the party's ouster from power in April 2022 and the latest episode was witnessed when the law enforcement officials had arrested – in some cases literally dragged – several top party officials from in and outside the Parliament.

On Tuesday, PTI leaders Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Asad Qaiser, Malik Ahmed Bhachar and SIC's head Sahibzada Hamid Raza arrived outside Adiala Jail, where they were detained for allegedly violating Section 144.

Reportedly, a police spokesperson said that the leaders were held briefly for violating Section 144, issued a warning and released shortly afterwards, saying the enforcement of the law would be ensured in any case.

PTI condemned the arrests, describing them as another attempt to trample on basic freedoms.

In a post on X, the party called the incident "absolutely shameful," asserting that the leaders had been peacefully exercising their legal right to meet Imran Khan.

Videos shared by the party showed Ayub and Raza being escorted by police, with police vehicles stationed on the road.

After their release, the NA opposition leader and other senior PTI members held a press conference at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House, condemning what they called an "insult to the Constitution of Pakistan".

Ayub said that they were detained without provocation and had arrived solely to meet Imran Khan, as permitted by court orders.

He said that the leaders had reached Adiala Jail at 2pm but were forced to wait for one-and-a-half hours without any reason, adding that police officers later on forcibly detained them when they sought a clear answer about their meeting with Khan.

The PTI leaders said that their vehicles, which displayed the Pakistani flag as allowed to those who hold key offices or positions, were blocked and their drivers were removed.

Ayub announced filing a petition against those involved in the detention and demanded the immediate dismissal of Punjab's IG of police, IG prisons and the interior secretary, alleging abuse of authority.

Qaiser vowed to bring the matter to both the Senate and the National Assembly, stressing that PTI leaders were "merely exercising their right to meet their leader".

Raza read aloud the court orders permitting Imran's meetings, asserting that PTI leaders have been treated worse than criminals.

"We are not intimidated," he affirmed, declaring that they would continue to challenge the "unjust use of Section 144".

Opposition leader in Senate Shibli Faraz condemned the police action, saying "This is not just an assault on us; it's an insult to the Constitution".

Faraz also criticised the decision to detain sitting members of Parliament without any explanation.