LAHORE, Feb 24: Police in Punjab, Pakistan, conducted raids on the offices and residences of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, resulting in the arrest of several party activists as the party declared its intention to resume political engagements on Monday.
According to senior PTI leader Shaukat Basra, the Punjab police detained more than a dozen PTI activists who were organizing workers’ conventions in Rawalpindi and other areas within the province.
“The homes of PTI lawmakers were invaded and damaged by individuals who stormed through them. The agents of this oppressive regime attempt to legitimatize their actions by claiming they are acting under military orders,” Basra remarked.
Among those apprehended was Murree District General Secretary Safdar Zaman Satti.
“This represents a clear case of political persecution and injustice. Our only offense is our support for Imran Khan. We vehemently denounce the unlawful detentions and the illegal invasion of the residences and offices of our party’s activists,” he stated.
Basra and PTI’s Punjab Chief Organizer Aliya Hamza shared multiple videos on social platforms demonstrating police brutality.
Hamza criticized the Punjab government for focusing solely on a large advertising initiative to promote misleading economic growth figures.
She accused the military-backed authorities of instigating a climate of fear among the populace.
“This fascist government has sunk to new lows by detaining a young college student through male officers in Punjab merely for criticizing Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on social media,” she added.
PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqqas Akram stated: “The puppet government has systematically crushed the rule of law, eliminated constitutional authority, paralyzed the judiciary, devastated the economy, and instigated a reign of terror to maintain its authoritarian control.”
PTI leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and has announced plans for a nationwide protest movement following Eid in April. (PTI)
