PTI chairman, KP CM claim provincial govt played no role in Mian Iftikhar Hussain’s arrest, law will take its course
The federal government and several other political leaders have strongly criticised the arrest of Awami National Party (ANP) Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, terming it as political victimisation at the hands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed concern over the arrest and alleged manhandling of Hussain in Pabbi. The PM has sought a report from the KP Inspector General, Intelligence Bureau as well as other intelligence agencies about the incident. He directed that political personalities be treated with respect within the parameters of law.
In an official statement, Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid said Hussain’s arrest clearly indicated that KP administration and police were under direct control of Imran Khan. “There is no clause in Pakistan Penal Code which could not be applicable on the crimes committed by ministers in KP,” alleged Rashid.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has also expressed concern over arrest of the veteran politician. He directed the interior secretary to ask the provincial government for presenting an immediate report in this context. He hoped that there will be timely and transparent investigation in the matter.
PPP DEMANDS RELEASE:
Moreover, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari also criticised the arrest saying, “The arrest of political opponents like Liaquat Shabab of PPP and Mian Iftikhar of ANP only belies claims made by Imran Khan that there are no political prisoners in the province.”
Zardari called for withdrawal of politically motivated cases against the two leaders. He added that these arrests show a dictatorial mindset and intolerance to political dissent.
PPP chief warned the provincial chief minister Pervez Khattak not to be swayed by power and to “bear in mind the consequences of political recklessness”.
ANP CRIES ‘REVENGE TACTICS’:
In the meanwhile, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan said that jailing of its leaders and activists was not new to the party and the arrest of Husain was part of PTI’s revenge tactics.
Moreover, ANP leader Afrasiab Khattak termed the arrest of Mian Iftikhar as an act of “political victimisation” by the PTI’s KP government.
“How could a man commit a murder who even forgave the blood of his own son,” wondered Khattak. Asked to clarify the situation which led to the murder of the PTI youth, Khattak claimed that a mob of PTI had raided the ANP’s office, where Mian Iftikhar was present.
“Their intention of the mob was to hurt Mian Iftikhar. Once informed about the mob, the police reached the site to disperse the PTI’s protestors; however, it failed to control the situation,” he said, adding that the guards might have taken any action in self defence.
Asked how could firing against the unarmed people be justified, Khattak said there was no reason for the PTI workers to also attack the ANP Office.
“Once the results of the election were announced, it does not make any sense to attack office of any political party. Hence, additional contingent of security personnel, including the Armed forces, were called in to defuse the situation and to rescue Mian Iftikhar from there,” he said.
The ANP leader alleged that his party had got registered an FIR against what he said a life attempt on Mian Iftikhar by PTI’s workers but no action has been taken till date, because the “local administration was siding with the ruling party”.
PTI SAYS NOT INVOLVED:
Responding to these allegations, PTI Chairman Imran Khan Sunday rejected claims that there was any pressure on the police from the provincial government to arrest ANP leader Hussain after the death of a PTI worker in Charsadda.
“The FIR was lodged neither on my nor on the orders of Pervez Khattak,” said Imran while addressing a press conference in Islamabad. “Police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa works as per law, and there is no political intervention.”
He said there was no political victimisation in KP, and the police will investigate the matter independently.
“I don’t know what happened. The locals were there who were not allowing him to leave till an FIR is rejected,” he said. “If he is not involved, there will be no pressure from our side.”
“Zardari sahab this is not the Sindh police taking action against Zulfiqar Mirza. We did not order the arrest nor can we order a repeal,” said Imran Khan, adding police had taken action of its own accord, following the law. “Whatever their investigation concludes, we will accept that,” he said.
Moreover, Khan’s stance was endorsed by KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak who has sought a detail report from KP IGP over the arrest.
In a statement, Khattak said that KP Police is a non-political and independent force which acts as per law. He maintained that Mian Iftikhar had not been arrested on his order nor he had the authority to release him as all the citizens are equal before the law.
“Our sympathies are with the heirs of martyr of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as they have right to knock the door of justice”
Furthermore, talking to Pakistan Today, PTI Secretary Information Naeemul Haq said that the PTI government had nothing to do with the arrest of Mian Iftikhar Hussain and rather the case had been registered on a written complaint by the father of the victim youth who was killed outside the residence of the ANP leader.
“Let me make it clear that we have great respect for Mian Iftikhar Hussain for his sacrifices made for the country and the democratic process. However, as you know, KP government has no control over the police which was working regardless of political influence,” he said.
The PTI leader added that even the father of Said Khan, a PTI MPA from Karak, had been arrested by the Ehtesab Commission of the KP but the PTI did not use influence to get him released.
“This is the difference between the PTI and other political parties. We have ensured full autonomy to our institutions and the KP Police functions without any influence of the KP government. Let the law take its course and if Mian Iftikhar sahib is innocent, and I pray that he may be innocent, no one can implicate him,” he said.
Asked whether the PTI would seek another remand for Mian Iftikhar, Naeemul Haq said that even PTI Chairman Imran Khan could not influence the legal process in the KP.
“This is not Lahore Police which would give a clean chit to those influential involved in Model Town carnage. This KP Police which functions without any pressure. Everyone knows the integrity of KP IGP Nasir Khan Durrani. Let the investigation complete and everything would be crystal clear,” he added.
He lamented that it was a worrying fact that nobody is concerned about the youth who was brutally killed on the road but everybody was worried about the one alleged for involvement in the murder.
