KP Official Condemns Arrest of PTI Workers Outside Adiala Jail as Authoritarian
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan, has strongly condemned the arrest of peaceful workers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf outside Adiala Jail, labeling it as highly regrettable and a clear example of authoritarian governance in Punjab. He emphasized that this action by the Punjab government violates fundamental rights and undermines the rule of law.
Violation of Court Orders and Constitutional Rights
Shafi Jan stated that, in accordance with court directives, the sisters of PTI's founding chairman and the party's lawyers had attempted to meet him at the jail. However, the Punjab government not only denied them permission, openly flouting the Constitution, legal statutes, court orders, and jail regulations, but also proceeded to arrest peaceful PTI supporters. He asserted that meetings with family, political leadership, and legal representatives are a fundamental constitutional right that cannot be arbitrarily revoked under any circumstances.
The undeclared ban on meetings with Imran Khan was described as a blatant infringement on basic human rights, with Shafi Jan highlighting that such obstructions are continuously being created by the authorities. He further criticized the solitary confinement of the PTI founding chairman as the worst form of political victimization, exposing what he termed the authoritarian tendencies of both the federal and Punjab governments before the nation.
Political Revenge and Economic Neglect
Shafi Jan accused the federal government of being blinded by political revenge, which he claimed is driving the country toward multiple crises. He noted that while the government focuses on curbing PTI's political activities, arresting peaceful workers, filing fabricated cases, and pursuing vendettas, the public suffers from poor economic policies and anti-people measures. This, he argued, reflects a misplaced priority that harms national stability and citizen welfare.
Commitment to Peaceful Struggle
Reaffirming PTI's dedication to democratic principles, Shafi Jan declared that the party will persist in its legal and peaceful political struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution and law, as well as for the release of Imran Khan. He emphasized that PTI is a peaceful and democratic entity firmly committed to the rule of law, underscoring its resolve to challenge what it perceives as unjust actions through constitutional means.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions in Pakistan's political landscape, with accusations of authoritarianism and rights violations sparking debate over governance and justice.
