Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sher Afzal Marwat was taken into custody by uniformed personnel outside the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The incident, captured on footage shared on PTI’s social media account, showed Marwat being forcefully apprehended by police, drawing condemnation from the party.
However, the PTI, referring to the incident as an “abduction,” strongly criticized the act, deeming it “absolutely shameful” and questioning the level of respect for courts by those in power.
The party urged LHC judges to ensure Marwat’s safe recovery.
In a separate statement, the PTI characterized Marwat’s arrest as a reflection of the prevailing lawlessness and asserted that it was an attempt to manipulate elections.
The party accused the caretaker government of employing unconstitutional and illegal tactics and expressed concern over the perceived silence of the judiciary on such matters.
PTI Chairman Gohar Khan, speaking to the media outside the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad, condemned Marwat’s arrest, emphasizing its potential impact on free and fair elections.
PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan accused the Punjab police of arresting Marwat en route to address lawyers in Lahore, describing the actions as a display of “moral bankruptcy” by the caretaker government.
PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan condemned the “uncalled for arrest” and demanded Marwat’s immediate release, stressing the importance of equal opportunities for political activities, especially with the election date already announced.
Taimur Jhagra, another member of the PTI, expressed bewilderment over the situation on his X account formerly Twitter, questioning the circumstances surrounding Marwat’s arrest.
The cause for Marwat’s detention remains unclear, though reports suggest it might be related to the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance. Section 3 of the ordinance allows the government to direct the arrest and detention of individuals deemed a threat to public safety or order.
Appointed as PTI SVP last month, Marwat rose to prominence within the party during the crisis following events on May 9. Known for representing PTI Chief Imran Khan in legal matters, Marwat accused the police of attempting to abduct him just last week.
The Peshawar High Court had issued orders preventing his arrest until further notice in cases registered against him after attending PTI conventions.
