Lahore has become the epicenter of political tension as key figures from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party find themselves under arrest. Among those detained is Sardar Latif Khosa, a prominent leader of PTI, who was taken into custody by Punjab Police.
Latif Khosa’s arrest came as part of a broader operation against PTI workers protesting in the city, according to statements from his son, Shehbaz Khosa. The arrest was carried out by a local station house officer. This move follows the detention of PTI-backed provincial assembly member Hafiz Farhat Abbas, intensifying the crackdown on the party’s activists.
Sher Afzal Marwat, another leader within PTI, has expressed strong condemnation of these arrests, labeling them as entirely unacceptable. He emphasized the importance of upholding the right to peaceful protest, a sentiment echoed across the party’s ranks.
It has come to our attention that Sardar Latif Khosa has been taken into custody, an act that is utterly deplorable and wholly intolerable.
The authorities in Punjab need to quickly stop this unfair behavior.
The liberty to protest in a peaceful manner is a right of ours.… pic.twitter.com/HPH7y5Pot7
— Sher Afzal Khan Marwat (@sherafzalmarwat) March 10, 2024
AN URGENT PLEA FOR JUSTICE
The situation has drawn attention from the legal community as well, with lawyer Usama Khilji calling for the immediate release of another detained PTI lawyer, Salman Akram Raja. Highlighting the broader implications for civil liberties, Khilji’s plea underscores the growing concern over the government’s stance on peaceful protests.
The PTI has voiced its outrage over the police’s actions, particularly an incident involving an attack on a vehicle carrying children. The party’s official stance, shared through social media, criticizes the government led by Maryam Nawaz for what it views as a fascist approach to quelling dissent.
Salman Akram Raja’s arrest during a protest has sparked further criticism from PTI, which demands an end to what it perceives as a policy of intimidation and suppression. The party’s messages call for a halt to arrests and highlight a growing atmosphere of fear among those opposing the government.
The arrest of lawyer Salman Akram Raja is highly condemnable! Maryam Nawaz should immediately stop the policy of arresting people for simply protesting. The fake government is scared!pic.twitter.com/ybpHus8PTO
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 10, 2024
