Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill, was “arrested” on Tuesday in Islamabad.
Gill was taken hostage by unidentified individuals driving unmarked vehicles from close to Bani Gala Chowk in the federal capital, according to PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, who made the announcement via his official Twitter account.
شہباز گل کو بنی گالا چوک سے بغیر نمبر پلیٹ گاڑیوں میں آئے لوگوں نے اغواء کر لیا ہے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 9, 2022
Imran Khan, the head of the PTI, stated that the occurrence “is a kidnapping [and] not an arrest.”
In a democracy where political workers are being “considered as enemies,” he questioned how such “shameful acts” could occur.
Such actions, according to Imran, are being carried out to force “we to accept a foreign sponsored administration of crooks.”
This is an abduction not an arrest. Can such shameful acts take place in any democracy? Political workers treated as enemies. And all to make us accept a foreign backed government of crooks. pic.twitter.com/3NYS1BCjtf
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 9, 2022
Murad Saeed, the leader of the PTI, also claimed on Twitter that Gill was “abducted” when unidentified assailants attacked his car and assaulted his aide.
شہباز گل کی گاڑی پر حملہ آور ہوئے،اسٹنٹ پر تشدد کیا، شہباز گل کو اغوا کر لیا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/9KBdkAsXGI
— Murad Saeed (@MuradSaeedPTI) August 9, 2022
He added that the kidnappers used Kalashnikovs to smash the windows of Gill’s car.
Murad questioned the number of people the government would “arrest” as well as the number of journalists it would “ban.”
کس کس کو گرفتار کروگے؟ کتنے صحافیوں پر پابندی لگاؤ گے؟ شہباز گل کی گاڑی کے شیشے بھی توڑ دئے۔ کل رات ایک خوفناک پلان تھا لیکن عمران خان کے جانثاروں نے واضح پیغام دیا عمران خان ریڈ لائن ہے
— Murad Saeed (@MuradSaeedPTI) August 9, 2022
He claimed a “terrible plan” was initiated, but PTI supporters had sent a “clear message” that any action against PTI chief Imran Khan would be overstepping the “red line”.
The PTI’s official Twitter handle posted a video of Gill’s assistant following the abduction, stating that the PTI leader was “arrested” and he was “tortured”. The assistant also showed his neck which had scratch marks.
Absolutely shameful how @SHABAZGIL and his staff were treated. Dr Gill’s kidnap is absolutely against all sort of laws, we strongly demand the immediate release! #ReleaseShahbazGill pic.twitter.com/iPyfdwJR15
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 9, 2022
The assistant went on to describe the incident, saying that Gill was shackled “as if he were a terrorist” and that the car’s windows were damaged with rifle stocks. As part of Gill’s “arrest,” he allegedly said that eight to 10 automobiles were present, and the PTI leader was “dragged” away.
Former human rights minister Shireen Mazari emphasised that after the “civil dictatorship imported government” forced a local news channel off the air, Gill was “arrested or abducted.”
ARY off screen by this civilian dictatorship Imported govt and now Shahbaz Gill "arrested" or abducted from Bani Gala chowk. So it is clear a critical word and no arrest warrant u will be taken away! This is the grand design of US regime change conspiracy & its abettors.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) August 9, 2022
Any “critical comment” directed towards the administration, she insisted, would result in “no arrest warrant” and “you would be taken away.”
The “grand design of [the] US regime change conspiracy and its abettors,” according to Mazari, was this.
Babar Awan, the head of the PTI, also posted on Twitter that the government was “scared” and that Gill’s arrest in the form of a “abduction was condemnable.” He urged the administration to release Gill and exercise some modesty.
شہباز گل کی اغوا کے انداز میں گرفتاری انتہائی قابلِ مذمت ہے، اِس بات کا ثبوت بھی کہ لوگوں کو ڈرانے والے خود کس قدر خوف زدہ ہیں۔ امپورٹڈ حکومت، اب تو حیا کرو، شہباز گل کو رہا کرو۔
— Babar Awan (@BabarAwanPK) August 9, 2022
Imran calls ’emergency meeting’
Imran Khan, the leader of the PTI, has reportedly called an emergency meeting to discuss the circumstances surrounding Gill’s detention. According to sources, the meeting will also think about going to court today on the arrest.
Additionally, the PTI’s top officials were informed of any additional arrests.
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