Daily Times

LAHORE: Mainstream political parties belonging to opposition benches termed the recent torture and arrest of peaceful Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers by the sitting rulers an act of “political terrorism”, and strongly condemned the act with a demand to release all arrested political activists.

Reacting over the Islamabad incident, Pakistan Muslim League (PML) leader Ch Parvez Elahi condemned the police and Frontier Corps’ attack on PTI Youth Wing and said that this has exposed ‘democracy’ of the government. He said situation of 1977 is being repeated through torture and violence on women. “The rulers are spreading lawlessness in the country by playing ‘holi’ with the blood of unarmed and peaceful women and political workers,” he added.

He said the rulers had proved that they have no respect for women, adding that inccent protestor were baton charged, dragged around and tortured on the orders of government. He stated that political workers could be made fearful through torture and arrests, adding that they would come again with greater spirit and enthusiasm to eliminate the kingdom system from Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) strongly condemned the arrests and torture of PAT and PTI workers in Islamabad and warned the government that such actions would be met by a strong reaction.

PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri in a statement to media has said that he condemned such incidents of state terrorism, while PAT Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur has demanded immediate release of the arrested political workers. He said it was an undemocratic act and urged the government to stop raids and arrests of its political opponents.

Moreover, Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP) chief Senator Sirajul Haq has also strongly condemned the police highhandedness on the PTI workers in Islamabad. In his statement, the JI chief said that the democracy in the country was only in name and not in spirit.

The JI chief urged the rulers to see reason and avoid prolonging the crisis and further complicating the situation. He demanded immediate release of the arrested PTI workers. JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch also condemned the arrests of the PTI workers and demanded their release forthwith so that the things do not get worse.

Also, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders condemned the Islamabad incident and demanded the government to accept the demands of the opposition regarding probe into the Panama leaks. PPP leaders Shaukat Basra, Raja Amir, Faisal Mir and Khurram Farooq said that it was like state torture to arrest some of the peaceful political opponents from the government but such acts would not change the fate of the rulers.

They said that Nawaz Sharif should present himself for accountability by accepting the just demands of the opposition. They also urged the prime minister to accept the suggestions of PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto by stepping down from power.