Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday accused the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police of cracking down on his party workers.
Khan claimed that the police, led by a “crooked IG,” were targeting PTI’s political activities, just a few months before the upcoming national elections.
He also asserted that police brutality would only strengthen his party’s resolve, as it had emerging young leaders like Afzal Khan.
Khan’s comments came as he met with PTI ticket holders from Lahore to discuss the party’s preparations for a massive public movement. During the meeting, he expressed satisfaction with the successful rally organized by PTI to express solidarity with the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and called on the ticket holders to expedite the preparations for the upcoming national elections. Khan stated that PTI would take to the streets with full force if the elections were not held in the country.
The ICT police have not yet responded to Khan’s accusations. However, this is not the first time that the police have been accused of using heavy-handed tactics against PTI workers. In 2014, during the sit-in protest organized by PTI, the police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds, resulting in several injuries.
The accusations of police brutality against PTI come at a time when tensions are already running high between the government and opposition parties. PTI and other opposition parties have accused the government of rigging the 2018 elections, and many have called for fresh elections. However, the government has rejected these calls, insisting that the elections were free and fair.
In recent months, there has also been growing concern about the state of democracy in Pakistan, with critics accusing the government of cracking down on the media, opposition parties, and civil society organizations. Many have called on the government to respect democratic norms and uphold the rule of law.
