Imran Khan lashes out at Punjab govt over nephews' arrests

Imran says he will 'expose' Punjab govt which he claims is using force for political victimisation

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Friday lashed out at the Punjab government over arresting his nephews for allegedly misbehaving with traffic wardens in Lahore.

Read: ‘Show’ of power: FIR lodged against two ‘nephews of Imran’

In a series of tweets, Imran claimed that the Punjab government “treated” his nephews the way they did because of their relationship to him.

Since when has Punjab police beaten & tortured people for traffic offence?My nephews were meted out this treatment because of who they are.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 3, 2015

Upholding that his nephews are the “most polite and decent” youngsters, Imran said they have never used their uncle’s name to get out of issues.

My nephews grew up in front of me & are 2 of the most polite & decent youngsters.Am proud of the way their parents have brought them up.1/2

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 3, 2015

2/2 They would never have said they were my nephews as they have not done that ever in the past.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 3, 2015

Further, alleging that the incident was pre-planned, Imran said the immediate arrival of the media at the station was 'strange'. He also hit out at the Punjab police and said that they have become "Gullus".

Strange how media also arrived immed on scene. Clearly it was a set up.Footage of the boys showed again how Punjab police have become Gullus

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 3, 2015

The PTI chief said that he will pursue this case to 'expose' the Punjab government and claimed it is using its police force for political victimisation.

I will pursue this case to the very end and expose how Punjab government is using its police for political victimisation.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 3, 2015

Further, Imran said that he will "pursue this case to the very end and expose how Punjab government". The PTI chief also called Shahbaz Sharif "shameful" and expressed anger over the fact that the Punjab chief minister telephoned his sister.

Shameful how Shahbaz Sharif had the gall to call my sister when he is responsible for turning Punjab police into a monster force.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 3, 2015

A Punjab government’s spokesperson, however, denied PTI chief’s allegations saying, “It is a fairly routine police matter. We did not interfere in this case.” In a statement the Punjab government spokesperson said the issue has been resolved on merit now. Action would be taken against the policemen, if they were found showing negligence in this matter.

Earlier on Wednesday, an FIR was registered against two of Imran’s nephews at the Lahore Racecourse Police Station when they allegedly abused, assaulted and threatened a traffic warden, who stopped them from violating traffic rules.

“The accused, Azeem and Abdullah, were stopped by traffic warden Shakeel for not wearing seatbelts while driving on the Canal Road, upon which they started squabbling with the warden,” Duty Police Officer (DPO) told The Express Tribune.

Read: Torture asserted: Imran Khan’s nephews granted bail

Express News screengrab.

Earlier, Azeem and Abdullah's counsel claimed that the two had been tortured by police following their arrest. He asked the court to order a medical examination on this account and initiate action against those responsible of torturing his clients if the report corroborated his claim.



The medical examination was later conducted on Friday afternoon, results of which are still awaited.