"Anarchy rules in Pakistan"
In a dramatic turn of events, Sher Afzal Marwat, a prominent member of the legal team associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was apprehended outside the Lahore High Court.
In a heated confrontation with law enforcement, the arrest was confirmed through an official post on Marwat’s X account.
The news prompted strong resistance from lawyers present, underscoring the unfolding tension.
Lahore police asserted that Marwat was arrested for causing societal disturbance, and a case under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance would be filed against him.
The detention order, sanctioning a 30-day confinement, had been issued before the arrest.
The disturbing footage shared by the PTI on X depicted policemen forcibly dragging Marwat while lawyers attempted to intervene.
PTI denounced the arrest as an “abduction” and stated the lack of respect for courts within the power structure.
The party alleged that Marwat’s arrest was symptomatic of a broader lawlessness prevailing in the country and accused the caretaker government of employing unconstitutional tactics to manipulate elections.
PTI Chairman Gohar Khan, outside the Election Commission of Pakistan, expressed his concerns, saying:
“These tactics show the absolute moral bankruptcy of the illegal caretaker corrupt chief minister Mohsin Naqvi and a spineless Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar.
“The Constitution of Pakistan has been rendered useless and is in effect held in abeyance by the actions of the caretaker federal government.
“Parliamentary democracy does not exist in Pakistan at this moment in time. Anarchy rules in Pakistan.”
Arrest moment (uploaded by team) pic.twitter.com/1onpTV2Yeq
— Sher Afzal Khan Marwat (@sherafzalmarwat) December 14, 2023
PTI leaders, including Ali Muhammad Khan, demanded Marwat’s immediate release, emphasising the need for equal political opportunities.
While the specific reasons for Marwat’s arrest remain unclear, reports suggest it may be linked to the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance.
Marwat, appointed as the PTI Senior Vice President just last month, rose to prominence during the party’s internal crisis in May.
He became a key figure in representing PTI Chief Imran Khan in legal matters.
Marwat had previously accused the police of attempting to abduct him in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Peshawar High Court had issued orders preventing his arrest until further notice in cases registered against him.
In one such case in October, Marwat faced allegations of inciting the public against state institutions through social media, marking a contentious chapter in his legal and political journey.
However, it is social media that is coming to Marwat’s aid.
The hashtag #ReleaseSherAfzalMarwat is trending on X with over 180,000 tweets.
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