RAWALPINDI: Punjab police have released several senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who were detained outside Adiala jail, where they had gone to meet party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
Those released include Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Ahmed Khan Buchar, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser.
Following his release, Asad Qaiser told the media, “We were held unlawfully at a police checkpoint. We only came to meet our party chairman. Now, we plan to address this matter at a press conference in Islamabad.”
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub also expressed his frustration, condemning the detention, stating, “We, including opposition leaders from the Senate, National Assembly, and Punjab Assembly, were held without justification. We strongly denounce this action.”
Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Ahmad Khan Bachar was also taken into custody from outside Adiala jail. The PTI leaders were taken into custody as they gathered at Adiala Jail’s main gate, awaiting security clearance to meet Imran Khan.
PTI leader Aliya Hamza, who was also present at the jail, managed to evade arrest.
Police said that the PTI leaders were taken into custody for violating Section 144, which prohibits gatherings in public spaces.
In a statement, PTI’s central spokesperson, Sheikh Waqas Akram, denounced the arrests, saying that party leaders had waited outside Adiala Jail for hours, only to be denied access to Imran Khan.
According to Akram, “The opposition leaders from the Senate, National Assembly, and Punjab Assembly were forcefully dragged from their vehicles and detained. We condemn this fascist treatment and demand the immediate release of all central leadership.”