The PTI under Imran Khan has escalated its criticism of the military establishment, which could result in some odd circumstances.
Imran Khan and a few of his leaders tweeted on Thursday in support of Senator Azam Swati following his detention and allegations of torture, but they also made it clear that they agreed with the dangerous statements made by the PTI member of the Upper House against the Army Chief and others.
Now, the PTI has publicly singled out not only the Army Chief but also four to five other members of the establishment (without naming them) for allegedly plotting and installing the current administration of what they refer to as “corrupt”.
In his tweets on Wednesday, Swati made exceedingly reckless and offensive accusations against the Army Chief and some other members of the establishment in response to a news report about the acquittal of PM Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz in a money laundering case by a court. It was made quite apparent that the PTI’s target in the establishment is actually five or six people, not just one or two.
In the past, PTI officials would criticise the highest military leadership without naming anyone and by using phrases like “neutrals” and “handlers.” But Swati said in a tweet that the “imported government’s” overlords in the establishment number 5 to 6 while making unfounded accusations and threatening to “come right to Gate-4” of the military headquarters in Rawalpindi if allowed by Imran Khan.
After the FIA registered a case, he was picked up that same evening. On Thursday, when he appeared in court for physical remand, Swati said that the agents stripped him of his clothes and mistreated him.
Several PTI leaders and others have denounced the senator’s arrest and the alleged abuse meted out to him. However, the PTI did not retract what Swati had said, which is inappropriate to repeat here due to the delicate nature of the situation.
Imran Khan commented on Swati’s case on Twitter on Thursday night, making it very obvious that he has moved his struggle against the establishment into an area where the stakes are very high and the outcome is unpredictable.
“Azam Swati’s incarceration torture over a tweet on NRO 2 is just another disgusting deed in our history,” stated Imran Khan. Can anyone be made to respect them by using pain and intimidation? According to the Holy Quran, Allah alone has the power to provide respect and disgrace, and He does so based on our conduct. Those who have permitted the worst criminals to not only escape justice after stealing billions from the country but also to regain power are doomed to humiliation.
To find out whether the PTI leadership was responsible for and approved of Swati’s statement, The News contacted three PTI leaders: Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, and Dr. Shireen Mazari.
Asad Umar opted not to respond. Dr Mazari said, “We stand with our Senator and u can see IK tweets on this and many of ours to understand.” Fawad Chaudhry’s response was, “Sir! As Jang group is now an official spokesperson of PDM as per party policy, any interaction with Jang group is banned…… thx u.”
