Imran Khan condemns ‘brutal crackdown’ of PTI leaders, workers

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 04 Jan 2023

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Imran Khan has condemned the crackdown on party leaders and workers, saying a peaceful protest was the right of all citizens.

“The brutal crackdown on PTI leaders and workers in Punjab and Islamabad has once again shown us what we are familiar with – the fascist nature of PMLN when in power,” he said.

“The present crackdown also raises serious questions about the handlers […] already economy is in a tailspin,” the PTI chairman said.

Imran Khan warned the “crooks and their handlers” that these undemocratic and “fascist” steps would further exacerbate the economic situation and push the country into a state of anarchy.

The former prime minister also claimed that PPP, PML-N and JUI-F’s marches against his government “were never stopped nor did they carry out any crackdown on their workers”. “This is the difference between democrats and kleptocrats,” said the PTI chief.

Crackdown and arrests

Punjab Police late on Monday raided the houses of several PTI leaders, including former energy minister Hammad Azhar, Usman Dar, and Babar Awan.

PTI’s Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry warned the government against using force to stop the long march set to begin on May 25.

The former information minister told the government that it could arrest PTI leaders and workers if it wanted to, but it would not be in its favour.

According to reports, around 73 workers have been arrested so far.  Police raided Hammad Azhar’s house in Lahore, however, he was not present

Lahore Police also raided the residence of PTI’s former information secretary, Farrukh Javed, but he escaped via his home’s back door. In Lahore’s Jauhar Town, PTI MPA Sadia Sohail said her house had also been raided. 

The house of PTI leader in Lahore Meher Naeemullah Taj was also raided. He alleged that police misbehaved with his family members and manhandled his employees.

Police raided the residences of PTI leaders Malik Ishtiaq and Yasir Gillani, but since they were also not present,

In Sialkot, the house of Firdous Ashiq Awan, ex-provincial minister Chaudhry Ikhlaq, and PTI leader Tahir Hundli’s houses were raided. Sialkot Police also raided the residence of Usman Dar.