Highlights!
Shireen Mazari, a PTI leader, was detained in Islamabad.
Several media outlets reported on Saturday that former Human Rights Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari had been arrested in Islamabad by Punjab’s anti-corruption department.
Shireen Mazari was arrested in a property case in Dera Ghazi Khan, according to an Islamabad police statement. The former minister was transferred from Islamabad’s Kohsar police station to DG Khan.
Shireen was seen being dragged out of a car by female police officers in video footage of her arrest, protesting, “No. “Don’t come near me.” Mazari was overheard telling police officials that “there is no issue” and that the matter could be discussed “peacefully.”
Her daughter, Imaan Zainab Mazari, took to Twitter to claim that the former minister was “beaten and taken away by male police officers.” “All I know is that she’s been taken by the Anti-Corruption Wing in Lahore,” she added.
“Dr Shireen Mazari was arrested by female police officers as per the law on the request of the anti-corruption department,” Islamabad police said, disagreeing with Mazari’s daughter. Any allegations of mismanagement are false.”
On Twitter, PTI’s Iftikhar Durrani confirmed the news, writing, “Dr Shireen Mazari was picked up outside her house a while ago, everyone must reach Police Station Kohsaaar!”
‘Kidnapping’
Imaan Zainab Mazari, speaking to journalists outside the Kohsar police station, called her mother’s detention a “kidnapping.” She said, standing alongside PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Shibli Faraz, “She was kidnapped — I won’t say she was arrested.”
“When someone is arrested, the police inform you of the charge they are being held on,” she explained.
“I have no idea where she is.” “This government abducted her because they believe women are easy targets,” Imaan said, adding, “I will not spare anyone if anything happens to my mother.”
Fawad Chaudhry, for one, agreed with Imaan’s assessment of the detention as a kidnapping. “This is a kidnapping.” Her whereabouts are unknown to us. “This is a serious violation of human rights,” he added.
The former information minister went on to say that the way this government apprehended a woman and “subjected her to violence and tore her clothes, as well as the inhumane way she was taken, is condemnable.”
“Mazari is a well-known academic who has devoted her life to human rights,” Chaudhry said. “This is a government declaration of war, and if that’s the case, it’s a declaration of war from our side as well.” Now, if a fight is required, it will be a fight,” he added.
Politicians and journalists have criticized Mazari’s detention.
Former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan responded to the incident by saying Mazari was “violently abducted from outside her house by this fascist regime.”
Mazari was strong and fearless, according to the PTI chairman, and if the “imported government” thinks it can coerce her with this “fascism,” they are mistaken!
The ex-premier claimed that the PTI’s anti-government protests were peaceful, but that “this fascist imported government” is trying to throw the country into chaos.
“As if destabilizing the economy wasn’t bad enough, they now want anarchy to avoid elections.” We will protest today and after the CC meeting tomorrow. He continued, “I’ll announce our long march.”
PTI Punjab President Shafqat Mehmood has strongly condemned the former human rights minister’s “illegal and brutal kidnapping.” He also stated that the party would stage a protest at 8 p.m. at Lahore’s Liberty roundabout.
“Shireen Mazari was insulted by male police officers and dragged away and arrested,” Farrukh Habib said of the detention. Officials had paid her a visit a few days ago.”
Former law minister Babar Awan slammed the government’s “shameless and show-off” detention of Shireen, saying it demonstrated that no one is safe.
Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) strongly condemned the incident, calling it “deplorable and the worst form of political oppression.” “In the land of the pure, things never seem to change,” he said.
“Shireen Mazari, the first political prisoner under the current government,” tweeted journalist Mazhar Abbas. Political leaders and governments are unwilling to learn from their mistakes. I don’t agree with everything she says, but I strongly oppose her arrest and humiliation.”
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Gill, a former special assistant to the prime minister on political communication, has directed PTI workers to the Kohsar police station in the capital.
Shireen Mazari was apprehended by female police officers, as seen in this exclusive video.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k4_8mLz_x0]
