LAHORE:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday condemned the arrest of its spokesperson Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested by the Government of Punjab for allegedly displaying weapons during the provincial by-elections in violation of Section 144.
Condemning the arrest, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and senior leader Shireen Mazari termed it an “act of fascism” while Fawad Chaudhry decried “police brutality” in Punjab.
Taking to Twitter, the former prime minister said, “[I] strongly condemn Illegal arrest of Shahbaz Gill simply to try & rig elections & spread fear in people.”
He said that these “fascist tactics” would not work and their supporters would not be deterred from exercising their right to vote. “Handlers of Imported govt should realise damage they are doing to our nation,” he added.
Mazari, in a tweet, said that “fascism at its peak [was] making a mockery of the electoral process in Punjab”.
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“Arresting Shahbaz Gill, searching to arrest Zulfi Bokhari & Jamshed Cheema & ECP issuing notice against SMQ all tactics to instill fear in ppl & make possible rigging. Shameful abuse of power incl by Mr X,” she added.
Fawad also took to Twitter to condemn the arrest and urged other party leaders to prepare for similar arrests.
On the other hand, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the local administration was empowered to make decisions to maintain law and order and if they felt that Gill’s behavior amounted to its disruption, they had the right to take whatever decision they wanted.
Punjab Home Minister Atta Tarrar also claimed that the PTI leader brought armed guards with him to undermine law and order during the polls.