"this is an assault on Pakistan's democracy."
Pakistani police arrested several lawmakers and leaders of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
The police crackdown started a day after the September 8, 2024, PTI rally held on Islamabad’s outskirts to demand Khan’s release.
The rally was reported as largely peaceful. Although some reports indicate, there were clashes between supporters and police that injured a senior police official.
Authorities blocked key roads by putting shipping containers in place to prevent supporters from attending the rally.
Zulfi Bukhari, Khan’s spokesman, denounced the police action.
Some party leaders, like Ali Amin Gandapur, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, criticised the ruling alliance and the military in speeches at the rally.
Gandapur told the military to “put your house in order” and warned against any attempt at a military trial for Khan.
He asserted: “I am not scared of the army uniform.”
The PTI said the violence commenced after the Pakistani police threw teargas canisters at a peaceful gathering in a bid to disperse it.
A police spokesman confirmed the detention of four individuals but gave no details of charges. However, The PTI stated more people were taken.
View a video from the Rally
????????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ?????? PTI ?????? ????? ??? ?? “?????? ?????” ?? ???? ?? ???? ?????????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ???
???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??????? ????????? ?? ???????????? ?#Pakistan #Islamabad #ImranKhan pic.twitter.com/f2MDb7bEUT
— Ankit Avasthi Sir ?? (@ankitavasthi01) September 10, 2024
On September 9, 2024, an Islamabad police spokesperson confirmed that they arrested PTI president Gohar Khan, lawmaker Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, and advocate Shoaib Shaheen.
Khan’s PTI party said nearly a dozen of its parliamentarians had been taken in Islamabad. Others had sought refuge in parliament to evade law enforcers.
Videos continue to circulate on social media showing arrests and people being taken away.
The PTI’s lawmakers protested in a National Assembly session. They called for action against what they alleged was the illegal entry of law enforcement personnel into parliament’s premises.
Many Imran Khan party PTI leaders have been arrested by the Pakistan military establishment after an impressive pro-Imran Khan rally in Islamabad. So called Pakistani democracy is same as martial law! pic.twitter.com/XI5TwHaP7a
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) September 10, 2024
PTI legislator Ali Muhammad stated:
“Plainclothes people entered the parliament and arrested people’s representatives – this is an assault on Pakistan’s democracy.”
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq proclaimed he would investigate the complaints, which, if verified, could result in legal action. He ordered all detained lawmakers to be returned to parliament.
Imran Khan, the 71-year-old former cricket star, has been in jail for over a year. Khan was ousted as Prime Minister in a no-confidence vote in 2022.
Political turmoil in Pakistan has heightened since Khan’s ousting.
Critics of the government and Khan’s PTI party say the charges against him are politically motivated. Khan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s main political rival, faces over 150 police cases.
Khan remains a popular figure in Pakistan and within the Pakistani diaspora.
Sonia, a British Pakistani, told DESIblitz: “What was done to Imran Khan is seen by me, and most I know as a dark turning point for Pakistan.
“He gave us hope for a less corrupt future where Pakistan and its people could grow.
“Everything that’s happened since he was thrown out and arrested seems to be to suppress voices of protest and criticism.”
Mohammed, a British Pakistani, added:
“I’m not a fan of any political leader, in Pakistan or here, but everything I’ve seen and been told shows things in Pakistan need to change.
“If it carries on how it is, the people will continue to suffer.”
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