In a startling turn of events, Sher Afzal Marwat, the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was detained by uniformed personnel outside the Lahore High Court (LHC), as reported by the party on its social media account X (formerly Twitter). Dawn.com’s correspondent at the scene witnessed Marwat being apprehended by police personnel, with footage shared by PTI showing a forceful arrest involving dragging by the collar, amid attempts by lawyers to intervene.
Abduction of lawyers from the premises of LHC is absolutely shameful and represents once again the respect for courts in the eyes of those in power. Caretaker government is crossing all limits of fascism.
LHC judges must ensure safe recovery of Sher Afzal Marwat immediately,… pic.twitter.com/VyqyAx6Alk
— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 14, 2023
PTI condemned the incident, describing it as “absolutely shameful” and a reflection of the erosion of respect for courts by those in power. The party urged LHC judges to ensure Marwat’s safe recovery, asserting that such actions were indicative of the prevailing lawlessness in the country.
شیر افضل مروت کی گرفتاری پر پاکستان تحریک انصاف کا ردعمل
پاکستان تحریک انصاف کی لاہور ہائیکورٹ کے احاطے سے شیر افضل مروت کی گرفتاری کی شدید مذمت
شیر افضل مروت کی گرفتاری ملک میں رائج لاقانونیت اور اہلِ اقتدار کے خوف اور بوکھلاہٹ کی مظہر ہے،
ان غیرآئینی و غیرقانونی حربوں کا…
— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 14, 2023
The PTI, in a statement, accused the government of resorting to unconstitutional and illegal tactics to evade elections and impose candidates aligned with the alleged ‘London plan.’ Party Chairman Gohar Khan, speaking outside the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad, emphasized that such actions would adversely affect the prospects of free and fair elections in the country.
PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan criticized the caretaker government, specifically naming Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr. Usman Anwar, accusing them of moral bankruptcy and spinelessness. He asserted that the Constitution of Pakistan was being rendered useless, and parliamentary democracy was non-existent, declaring that anarchy ruled the country.
PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan and Taimur Jhagra also condemned Marwat’s arrest, with the former demanding immediate release and the latter expressing confusion over the situation. The motive behind Marwat’s arrest remains unclear, though reports suggest it may be under the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance.
Marwat, appointed as PTI SVP last month, had recently accused the police of attempting to abduct him in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to a court order preventing his arrest in four cases. Previously, in October, a case was registered against Marwat in Dera Ismail Khan, alleging his instigation of the public against state institutions through social media.
