After a dramatic run to the Islamabad High Court to avoid a possible re-arrest, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior vice-president Fawad Chaudhry on May 9 said the violent protests that began following the arrest of party chief Imran Khan strongly condemned.
Khan was taken into custody by Rangers personnel from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 9 following the orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The senior PTI leader, being the party spokesperson, termed the incidents as “deeply shameful”.
Speaking to reporters outside the IHC after midnight, the politician said, “Pakistan exists because the Pakistan Army exists and we should formulate our policies keeping this point of view in mind.”
A day earlier, Fawad was still sitting in his car after getting bail from the IHC and barely moved when he saw the Anti-Terrorism Squad personnel moving towards him.
The former information minister immediately ran out of his car and headed towards the court premises to avoid arrest.
Interestingly, despite the PTI leader submitting an affidavit of non-violation of Section 144 and participating in the protest, the police arrested him.
The court had termed the arrest of PTI leaders Fawad, Shireen Mazari and Senator Falak Naz as ‘illegal’ under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Ordinance (MPO).
The politician spoke about his association with the army during a media talk.
I belong to Jhelum and this district is the abode of martyrs and ghazis. It is more sacred to us than our families and blood relations.”
The PTI leader lamented the attack on the Corps Commander’s House and General Headquarters (GHQ) on a day of chaos, saying everyone associated with Pakistan and its military was “obviously saddened”. And their hearts were crying tears of blood.
“As a spokesperson of PTI, I think these incidents were extremely shameful. Those involved in these incidents, whether they belong to PTI or not, should be punished after investigation.”
Commenting on the issues that have come to light in the wake of the May 9 events, condemned by the military as a “dark chapter” in history, Fawad said his party’s commitment to Pakistan is what he feels is his own. It also connects with the army.
After trying to evade the police while shielding himself inside the court all day, the politician – speaking to the media late at night – said he was “ready to be arrested” and left his premises.
Earlier this week, top army officers – at a special Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir at the General Headquarters – issued a directive to the protesters and their supporters. vowed to be tried under, including the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act, when they stormed military installations.
“The Forum strongly resolved that those involved in these heinous crimes against military installations and personal/property will be brought to justice through trials under the relevant laws of Pakistan, including the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act”. Mentioned Inter-Services Public Relations.
The PTI had said a day earlier that it considered the ISPR’s statement calling for an inquiry into last week’s incidents “very important”.
