Over 60 PTI Leaders Arrested for Alleged Involvement in Attacks on Military Installations: Party Slams 'Illegal Fascist Measures' by State

 Over 60 leaders and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former prime minister Imran Khan, have been arrested in Punjab province for their alleged involvement in attacks on military installations in May. These arrests have been described as "illegal fascist measures" by the party. The police action against PTI members has been intensified across the country following the announcement of general elections in Pakistan on February 8, 2024. These recent arrests are in addition to those already made on May 9.

The PTI claims that over 10,000 of its leaders and workers have been in jail since early May due to their alleged involvement in attacks on military and state installations. The arrests are related to Khan's arrest in an alleged corruption case. The Lahore police stated that 62 PTI workers were arrested for their involvement in the May 9 attack on Lahore Corps Commander House and the torching of a plaza allegedly owned by the son of former army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. The crackdown on those involved in attacks on military installations is ongoing.

The police also raided the residence of PTI president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to arrest his relative and former lawmaker Maj (R) Tahir Sadiq. Elahi is already in jail. Moonis Elahi, senior leader and former federal minister of PTI, condemned the actions of the Punjab police, stating that their brutalities against PTI leaders and workers are at their peak, with even women being targeted. The unrest in Pakistan on May 9, following Khan's arrest by paramilitary Rangers, led to the torching and vandalizing of several military and state buildings, including the Army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the ISI building in Faisalabad.

Over 10,000 PTI workers were arrested, and over 100 of them are being tried under the Army Act. The PTI core committee strongly denounced the state's coercive tactics and reprisal actions against PTI workers and leaders, even after the announcement of the election date. They condemned what they described as "illegal fascist measures" by the state, expressing concerns about rigged polls and state interference. The PTI core committee called on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and hold free, fair, and transparent elections.

Despite the challenges faced by the party, the PTI core committee paid tribute to Imran Khan for his resilience, courage, and perseverance during what they believe to be his unjustifiable incarceration. Khan has been in jail for over 100 days without any legal justification, which the committee says is an act of political revenge. Imran Khan will lead the PTI's election campaign across the country, and the party intends to participate in the upcoming elections. Khan is currently lodged at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, accused of leaking state secrets in a cipher case.