The crackdown against PTI continues as its central leader Iftikhar Durrani was arrested by police in the wee hours of Thursday from his residence.
According to the details, police arrested Durrani from his residence in Islamabad and shifted him to an undisclosed location after arrest.
Meanwhile, PTI claimed in a statement that its core member Iftikhar Durrani was “kidnapped” from Islamabad and that it was “gathering details about his kidnapping”.
Hours later, there is still no confirmation about Durrani’s whereabouts, who served as a special assistant in media to ex-prime minister Imran Khan.
The “abduction” has sparked anger among senior PTI leaders, including Chairman Imran Khan, who have slammed the PML-N-led government for its crackdown against PTI.
Read more: PM vows to bring all culprits of May 9 riots to justice
“Why has Iftikhar Durrani been picked up in the middle of the night without any arrest warrant? He had nothing to do with the 9th May incident. So the crackdown against anyone who has anything to do with PTI continues,” Imran Khan said.
“It should now be obvious that this oppression and clampdown against PTI has nothing to do with the events of 9th May but everything to do with the London plan to dismantle PTI,” the former Prime Minister further added.
Why has Iftikhar Durrani been picked up in the middle of the night without any arrest warrant?
He had nothing to do with the 9th May incident.
So the crackdown against anyone who has anything to do with PTI continues.It should now be obvious that this oppression and clampdown…
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 3, 2023
Other PTI leaders also have issued statements condemning the disappearance of Iftikhar Durrani and are demanding his release.
The Shahbaz Sharif – Bilawal Bhutto regime is leaving with a major stink.
This disappearance of Iftikhar Durrani last is yet another to join the list. I hope the "pro-democracy" voices are happy. Expect a bunch of anchors to say, "this is Imran Khan's fault."
Couple this with… https://t.co/ORPeYZ9fTN
— Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) August 3, 2023
You get abducted in the middle of the night with no cases on you & your family gets harassed.. only happens against one party in Pakistan today.
Strongly condemn the illegal abduction of @IftikharDurani. #ReleaseIftikharDurrani pic.twitter.com/IGtCboip9O
— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) August 2, 2023
افتخار درانی صاحب کو اٹھا لیا گیا ہے۔ ظلم تھم نہیں رہا
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) August 2, 2023
افتخار درانی کو دیر رات انکے گھر سے اٹھا لیا گیا گھروں کے دروازے توڑے جاتے ہے نہ خواتین کے تقدس کا خیال کیا جاتا ہے کوئی FIR کوئی warrant نہیں بس جنگل کا قانون ہے نظام انصاف کو بے بس کردیا گیا ہے pic.twitter.com/5E4LyFtI1T
— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) August 3, 2023
پی ٹی آئی رہنما ڈاکٹر افتخار درانی کو رات کے اس پہر اغوا کر لیا گیا۔ افتخار درانی کا جرم بھی وہی ہے جو ملک کے مختلف عقوبت خانوں میں قید سینکڑوں دیگر اسیران کا ہے کہ وہ پاکستان میں یکساں عدل و انصاف کے بول بالے کے لیے عمران خان کے ساتھ کھڑے ہیں۔#ReleaseDrIftikharDurrani pic.twitter.com/SFQ3zO2FoB
— Ali Awan (@AliAwanPTI) August 2, 2023
Pertinent to mention that PTI’s members and leaders have been facing arrests, rearrest, and other troubles ever since the May 9 riots when public and military installations were attacked by angry protesters enraged over the arrest of Imran Khan.
Both the government and military vowed strong action against the miscreants for attacking state installations. The authorities have registered several cases against the top leadership for their alleged involvement and incitement against the military leadership.
Read more: Pak Army dismisses high ranking military officers over May 9 riots