PTI Condemns Alleged Abduction and Torture of Supreme Court Lawyer Ali Zaman and Brother
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a strong condemnation following the alleged abduction and torture of Supreme Court lawyer Ali Zaman, a member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council and former provincial assembly candidate, along with his brother Wasim Zaman, the deputy general secretary of PTI Peshawar. In a statement shared on social media platform X, the party declared that Pakistan is witnessing a "complete collapse of human rights," pointing to multiple instances of torture involving its members as evidence of systemic abuse.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to PTI, brothers Ali and Wasim Zaman were allegedly abducted from Kachehri Chowk on Tuesday. The party claims they were held in illegal custody for several hours and subjected to what it described as "inhuman torture" before being released. PTI alleges the two were later abandoned, marking what they call a brutal and disgraceful act by state authorities.
The incident has sparked outrage within the party, with PTI questioning the state of rule of law in the country. "If a lawyer and an elected representative who pursued constitutional and legal avenues cannot be protected, it raises serious concerns about governance and justice in Pakistan," the statement emphasized.
Broader Pattern of Alleged Abuse
PTI cited three separate cases of alleged torture involving its members:
- Supreme Court Advocate Ali Zaman
- Former MPA Raja Azhar
- Former MNA Fahim Khan
The party accused state authorities of "openly and disgracefully resorting to torture of citizens," calling these incidents a serious abuse of power that reflects authoritarian practices rather than democratic norms.
Political Reactions and Demands
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan described Zaman's alleged abduction as "very worrying, condemnable and a clear violation of the law." He noted that Zaman is a senior lawyer respected in the legal community and demanded his immediate release when the incident was first reported.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja added, "Journalists, lawyers and every citizen are under the grip of fascism today. Ali Zaman is an elected member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council and an important part of the PTI legal team. His kidnapping is an attack on the process of getting justice."
Government Responsibility and Calls for Action
Noting that the incident allegedly occurred within Punjab's jurisdiction, PTI held the Punjab government responsible and demanded immediate action against those involved. The party urged the provincial government to take concrete steps and appealed to the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court to take urgent notice of the matter.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister Aftab Alam demanded Zaman's immediate release, stating the alleged arrest represented a "blatant violation of human and fundamental constitutional rights, which cannot be accepted under any circumstances."
Broader Implications for Justice System
K-P Assembly Speaker Babar Swati stated the incident was "not only an attack on the rule of law but also a moment of reflection for the entire justice system." He added that the attack in vehicles without number plates reflects the worst kind of lawlessness.
K-P Minister for Local Government Meena Khan Afridi termed the incident a "direct attack on the state writ" and warned that "targeting lawyers is actually taking the entire justice system hostage. If the lawyers themselves become unsafe, then there is no guarantee of justice for the common citizen."
PTI's Broader Concerns
The party stressed that political disagreement cannot be addressed through force, handcuffs, or abductions in unmarked vehicles, calling such actions antithetical to democracy. PTI emphasized that the incident forms part of a continuing pattern aimed at pressuring, intimidating, and silencing Imran Khan and leaders, workers, and elected representatives associated with the party.
PTI reaffirmed its commitment to defending constitutional rights and the public mandate, despite what it described as continued pressure and intimidation. The party urged the nation to stand up against what it termed systematic violations of fundamental rights and called on human rights organizations, civil society, and political activists to raise their voices against these alleged abuses.
