ISLAMABAD (National Times) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other party leaders Sunday reacted strongly after Senator Azam Swati was arrested against over controversial statement against a state institution.
The PTI leader was taken into custody from his farmhouse located in Chak Shahzad, a suburb situated in Islamabad, by three-member FIA Cyber Crime Wing’s team, hours after his party staged a power-show in the neighbouring city of Rawalpindi. In his address, he talked about the ordeal he faced during his arrest last month.
Taking to Twitter, Imran Khan wrote: “I am shocked & appalled at how rapidly we are descending into not just a banana republic but a fascist state. How can anyone not understand the pain & suffering Senator Swati underwent with custodial torture & blackmailing video of him & his conservative wife sent to his family?”
“He is justifiable anger & frustration at the injustice meted out to him especially the doors of SC [Supreme Court] remaining closed to him despite over a fortnight of appeals by Senators in support of him. So he tweets & is arrested again,” he added while urging people to raise their voice against this state fascism.
PTI leader Shireen Mazari also termed the incident as an act of “fascism”, stating that Swati was arrested by FIA after he spoke at “Azadi March” in Rawalpindi yesterday.
“Senator Azam Swati arrested again by FIA after he spoke at our Azadi March where he asked some questions & spoke abt what hapened to him & his family. Is that a crime? Did the pussilanimous Senate Chairman again give his approval for this arrest? Fascism,” the tweet read.
Asad Umar also reacted to the arrest, saying: “The dignified manner in which azam swati conducted himself as he was arrested today shows he is fighting for a principle”.
“You can disagree with his choice of words or even his views, but you cannot disagree with him that whatever happens must do so within ambit of law,” the former planning minister said.
Last month, Swati was arrested by the FIA after he launched a barrage of controversial tweets against a state institution and used foul language.
Later, he secured post-arrest bail from a court in the capital city.
