Friday
March 29, 2024
21 C
Lahore
EditorialMore arrests, more tensions

More arrests, more tensions

A few days ago, the Chinese foreign minister advised Pakistan to have political stability to combat the economic problems. Right now, Pakistan is international news because of clashes, arrests and crackdown on critics. On the day following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, more clashes have been reported between PTI workers and police. The government has called in the army in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and has further arrested Umar Sarfraz Cheema in Lahore and PTI Secretary General Asad Umar at the Islamabad High Court premises, which once again brings into question the government’s commitment to the rule of law. Umar was on his way to the Supreme Court to challenge Khan’s arrest when he was taken into custody by the Islamabad police on charges related to causing damage to state property.

Videos of Umar’s arrest shared on PTI’s official Twitter account show dozens of police surrounding and dragging him towards a police van. PTI leader Shireen Mazari has accused the Islamabad High Court of becoming a “fertile ground to illegally arrest PTI leaders,” while PTI leader Faisal Javed Khan has claimed that “criminals who are wanted by the courts and have fled are in power.”

While Imran Khan will have to answer for his role in the Al Qadir University project, the government’s crackdown on its critics cannot be condoned. Similarly, PTI workers will have to face criminal cases for attacking army people and installations. In recent weeks, dozens of PTI leaders and workers have been arrested on various charges, including treason and terrorism. Human rights groups and the opposition have condemned the crackdown, alleging that the government is using state machinery to silence its critics.

The government has defended the arrests, claiming they are part of a crackdown on corruption and terrorism. However, critics argue that these arrests are politically motivated and aimed at silencing the PTI’s voice.

The arrest of Asad Umar, Sarfraz Cheema and many other protesters is a worrying development that raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to democratic credentials. It is crucial for the government to respect court orders and ensure that all political parties are treated equally under the law.

To strengthen democratic institutions and safeguard individual freedoms, the government must ensure that its actions are consistent with the principles of the rule of law.

The arrests of Asad Umar, Sarfraz Cheema, and many others are concerning developments that highlight the need for the government to uphold the rule of law and respect court orders. The government must ensure that all political parties are treated equally under the law and that individual freedoms are protected. The international community must also continue to monitor the situation and hold the government accountable for its actions. Only by upholding these principles can Pakistan strengthen its democracy and safeguard the rights of its citizens.

Subscribe Today

GET EXCLUSIVE FULL ACCESS TO PREMIUM CONTENT

SUPPORT NONPROFIT JOURNALISM

EXPERT ANALYSIS OF AND EMERGING TRENDS IN CHILD WELFARE AND JUVENILE JUSTICE

TOPICAL VIDEO WEBINARS

Get unlimited access to our EXCLUSIVE Content and our archive of subscriber stories.

Top News

More articles