Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said on Saturday that he had hoped the new military leadership, after the retirement of former army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa, would have “disassociated from the eight months of Bajwa’s fascist actions against [the] PTI, the media and critical journalists”.
In a series of tweets, the former premier claimed that the “entire nation was shocked at the vindictive cruelty” PTI Senator Azam Swati was being subjected to and questioned what his crimes were.
The entire nation is shocked at the vindictive cruelty Senator Azam Swati is being subjected to & for what crime? For intemperate language & asking questions which is the right of anyone in a democracy? Internationally Pak & esp our mly is being perceived increasingly negatively
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 3, 2022
“For intemperate language and asking questions which is the right of anyone in a democracy?” Imran asked.
He further stated that internationally, Pakistan and its military were being perceived “increasingly negatively” because the incumbent federal government was “seen as a mere puppet government”.
bec the present Imported govt is seen as a mere puppet govt. One had hoped the new mly ldrship would have immed disassociated from the 8 mths of Bajwa’s fascist actions against PTI, the media & critical journalists. The 74 yr old heart patient Senator Swati must be released immed
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 3, 2022
Imran said that “74-year-old Senator Swati must be released immediately, not only because he committed no crime to deserve this mental and physical torture”, but because the “petulant and vengeful targeting” was undermining the military’s credibility.
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He maintained the military’s credibility was “critical for a strong Pakistan”.
not only bec he has committed no crime to deserve this mental & physical torture, but also because this petulant & vengeful targeting is undermining our mly’s credibility which is critical for a strong Pakistan.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 3, 2022
Last week, Senator Azam Swati was taken into custody for the second time after a raid at his farmhouse in Chak Shahzad by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing Islamabad for allegedly tweeting against senior military officials.
He was later produced before a judicial magistrate, who handed him over to the FIA on a two-day physical remand.
Moreover, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) prohibited the broadcast and rebroadcast of Swati’s speeches, news conferences and his media coverage, including as a guest at a talk show, statements or tickers, on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect.
Taken to Kuchlak Jail
A day earlier, Swati was allegedly transferred to Kuchlak Jail on Friday morning by the Balochistan police.
The Senator’s daughter Farah Swati said he suffered “chest pains” and “breathing issues” on Thursday night and was shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) early this morning, in Islamabad.
However, she added that he was later discharged “before his lab results came back” and was taken into custody by Quetta police.
She also revealed that the family had been informed that Swati had been taken to Quetta as she pleaded with the nation for its support and “raise a voice” for her father.
