The Islamabad Police arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and Information Secretary Raoof Hasan in the federal capital, according to party leader Shibli Faraz.
This move has ignited a storm of criticism from the opposition party, which accused law enforcement agencies of operating outside the bounds of the law.
In a vehement statement on X (formerly Twitter), PTI condemned the police actions, asserting that the authorities were blatantly disregarding the legal framework of the country.
“It’s absolutely shameful how Islamabad Police continues to completely mock and disregard every law in this country. Law of the jungle is reigning over Pakistan!” the statement read.
It’s absolutely shameful how Islamabad Police continues to completely mock and disregard every law in this country. Law of the jungle is reigning over Pakistan! https://t.co/YbPEkUzhK9
— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 22, 2024
The PTI also reported that during the operation, the police confiscated computers and other items from the party’s secretariat.
However, sources within the Islamabad Police contested this claim, stating that Hasan had been detained, not arrested, and Gohar had not been taken into custody at all.
Adding to the confusion, a video shared by the party on X depicted numerous police vehicles and officials surrounding the secretariat.
Visuals outside PTI’s central secretariat!Law of the jungle reigns supreme in Pakistan. Islamabad Police is busy in targeting PTI, while criminal activities are increasing daily! pic.twitter.com/zwhnGQvnfS
— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 22, 2024
Contradicting PTI’s claims, police sources denied the arrest of four women and the confiscation of laptops and documents from the office.
Expressing strong disapproval of the raid on the former ruling party’s central secretariat, PTI leader Khurrum Sher Zaman alleged that the detentions were carried out on the orders of the “Form-47 government”.
“We’ve been informed that they’ve locked staff in a room & waiting for a prison van to arrive & have taken computers & important documents,” he wrote on X.
In response to the arrests, PTI organized a demonstration in Lahore, demanding the immediate release of their leaders and workers.
Maybe one day IG Islamabad, puppet government will deploy such big groups of officers in order to prevent and catch actual criminals, rather than going after Pakistan’s biggest political party. pic.twitter.com/2Ng1xTXxwy
— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 22, 2024
The protest, led by Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhacher, saw participation from PTI’s lawyers’ wing and other supporters, highlighting the growing unrest within the party’s ranks.
This incident has further escalated tensions between the opposition party and the current administration, raising concerns about the state of political affairs and the rule of law in Pakistan.
As the situation unfolds, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on Islamabad, awaiting further developments in this ongoing saga.
