PTI is demanding the release of Azhar Mashwani, the party’s former social media head, who was picked up on Thursday, apparently on charges of criticizing the Punjab police and the caretaker government for allegedly using high-handed tactics against party workers.
The arrest of Azhar Mashwani has sparked a strong reaction from PTI leaders, as they take to social media to demand his release. #ReleaseAzharMashwani is also among the top Twitter trends in Pakistan.
According to the details, Azhar Mashwani went to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence on Thursday afternoon and has been missing ever since.
IG پنجاب کی دھمکی آمیز گفتگو کے بعد اظہر مشوانی کو اغواء کر کیا گیا ہے ،اظہر کو فوراً عدالت میں پیش کیا جائے اور الزامات کی تفصیل بتایا جائے، IG صاحب اگر سمجھتے ہیں ظل شاہ کو قتل کرنے اور تشدد کرنے کے بعد ان پر تنقید بھی نہیں ہو گی تو وہ احمقوں کی جنت میں رہتے ہیں https://t.co/5xGq9b9A5N
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 23, 2023
Reacting to reports of Azhar Mashwani, former Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the authorities of abducting the party activist.
Read more: US report calls attention to human rights violations in Pakistan
“Enough is enough. Police in Punjab and Islamabad are breaking all laws with impunity as they target PTI. Today Azhar Mashwani was abducted in the afternoon from Lahore and his whereabouts are unknown,” the former prime minister tweeted on Thursday and demanded Mr Mashwani’s immediate release.
Enough is enough. Police in Punjab & Islamabad are breaking all laws with impunity as they target PTI. Today Azhar Mashwani was abducted in the afternoon from Lahore & his whereabouts are unknown. On 18 March Senator Shibli Faraz & Omar Sultan were badly beaten by ICT police
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 23, 2023
Other PTI leaders also demanded his release while criticizing the incumbent for being fascist. Pertinent to mention here, following the Zaman Park clashes and vandalism at Judicial Complex, the government has intensified its crackdown on PTI.
Houses of PTI leaders have been raided meanwhile, over 200 PTI workers have been booked in a separate case at Nasirabad police station under charges of interfering in state matters and violation of Section 144.
Azhar Mashwani is a young voice of millions . Harming him will be counter productive &will set another example of terror by handlers who will be defeated by law, ethics, decency &Constitution . Therefore keeping him illegal will bring another charge sheet #ReleaseAzharMashwani pic.twitter.com/KA3F0wmj4k
— Senator Azam Khan Swati (@AzamKhanSwatiPk) March 23, 2023
Seems the State has declared Open Season on PTI ldrs & workers to be hunted, abducted, arrested, have their homes broken into or simply beaten as & when the LEAs feel like indulging in fascist behaviour. Abducting Azhar Mashwani this afternoon in Lahore is condemnable & illegal.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) March 23, 2023
PTI's Azhar Mashwani who got married just a few days ago @MashwaniAzhar has been abducted from outside his house. His family doesn't know anything about his whereabouts. Fascism and lawlessness have broken all records in Pakistan #ReleaseAzharMashwani https://t.co/8C2PeVbUix
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) March 23, 2023
Still nobody is accepting the responsibility of Azhar's arrest. His family has filed application for registering an FIR of abduction but this is extremely worrisome that he is being held somewhere without a case with nobody accepting responsibility #ReleaseAzharMashwani
— Dr Arslan Khalid (@arslankhalid_m) March 23, 2023
Apart from PTI, members of the media fraternity are also facing a tough time under the current political climate in Pakistan. Recently, BOL News Islamabad Bureau Chief Siddique Jan was arrested for sharing some videos of the police shelling on the PTI supporters outside the Federal Judicial Complex and inciting violence against law enforcement agencies.
Read more: Watch: Siddique Jan given heartiest welcome upon release
The human rights violations in Pakistan have even sparked international concern. Earlier, US senator Jacky Rosen expressed her concern about the increasing political violence in Pakistan.