Marwat Detained and Transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail
As the PTI’s high command grapples with legal challenges while being detained, Sher Afzal Marwat, the party’s Senior Vice President, found himself taken into custody on Thursday outside the Lahore High Court (LHC) under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and subsequently transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Marwat, who had attended a lawyers’ convention at the high court, was apprehended by a substantial police contingent as he was leaving the premises. The PTI official was detained under Section 3 of the MPO, and initially held at Mozang Police Station.
The Lahore deputy commissioner issued a 30-day detention order for Marwat, who was later moved to Kot Lakhpat Jail.
The footage of Marwat’s arrest was shared by the former ruling party on X, depicting law enforcement officers pulling him by the collar while several lawyers attempted to intervene.
“Kidnapping lawyers from the LHC premises is utterly disgraceful and once again reflects the contempt for courts by those in power. The caretaker government is displaying fascist tendencies beyond all limits,” PTI stated on its official X account.
The party appealed to LHC judges to ensure the secure release of Marwat.
In a separate statement, the party characterized Marwat’s arrest as “a manifestation of the prevailing lawlessness in the country and the timidity of those in power.”
“The purpose of these unconstitutional and unlawful tactics is to evade elections and impose individuals aligned with the ‘London plan’ on the people,” PTI asserted, underscoring that the “continued silence of the judiciary” was emboldening such illegal actions.
Speaking to the media outside the ECP in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan criticized Marwat’s arrest, emphasizing that such actions against the party would impact the “transparent conduct of polls” in the country.
PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan remarked that Marwat was apprehended by Punjab police while en route to address lawyers in Lahore.
“These maneuvers underscore the absolute moral bankruptcy of the illegal caretaker corrupt chief minister Mohsin Naqvi and the spineless Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar.
“The Constitution of Pakistan has been rendered ineffective and is effectively suspended by the actions of the caretaker federal government. Parliamentary democracy does not currently exist in Pakistan. Anarchy prevails,” he declared.
PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan condemned the “unjust arrest” of the PTI leader, demanding his “immediate release.”
“With the election date already announced, there should be equal opportunities for all to engage in political activities,” he insisted.
‘Unite over Imran’s cause’
Addressing the lawyers’ convention earlier, Marwat urged the nation to contemplate their destiny and “stand up for their rights.”
“The former PTI chairman (Imran Khan) is fighting for your rights. He is willing to stake his life for the future of your children,” he asserted.
Marwat implored the legal community to unite, emphasizing their readiness to sacrifice for the nation. In a veiled reference to influential entities, the PTI leader acknowledged awareness of their “strategies.”
Regarding the events of May 9, the PTI Senior Vice President contended that it marked the “commencement of electoral manipulation” for the upcoming general elections.
He predicted that people would be “astonished” soon, claiming that significant figures were poised to join the PTI, with ongoing discussions for that purpose.
Last week, Marwat alleged an attempted abduction by the K-P police while en route to Gulabad near Chakdara for a party convention scheduled in Bajaur.
Marwat claimed that the police made a concerted effort to “abduct” him as he was entering Gulabad, with approximately 300 heavily equipped officers allegedly involved in the incident.
