Feb 17, 2024
Staff Report
LAHORE:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s leaders and activists were arrested by the Punjab police on the afternoon of February 17, as they gathered outside the PTI office in Lahore, protesting against alleged election rigging.
Prominent among them was Salman Akram Raja, who contested the recent general elections for NA-128 in Lahore, as a PTI-backed candidate and has challenged the results from his constituency.
As the police took Raja away, he said, “It’s a moment of shame. I stand with the people of Pakistan and will continue to raise my voice for justice”. He was one of a dozen PTI workers arrested by the police from outside the party office on Lahore’s Jail Road.
Voicepk reporter observed that it was a peaceful demonstration, where the number of policemen outnumbered the PTI supporters. Raja was released a few hours after the arrest.
Soon after the news of Raja spread, the civil society demanded his immediate release. Ammar Ali Jan called thearrest of Salman Akram Raja a “bankruptcy of the Deep State” on social media X.
“The power of the state must be resisted by the power of the street. HKP will rally all progressive forces to defend democracy and the constitution against this ongoing tyranny.
The arrest of Salman Akram Raja shows the bankruptcy of the Deep State. The power of the state must be resisted by the power of the street. HKP will rally all progressive forces to defend democracy and the constitution against this ongoing tyranny.
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) February 17, 2024
Sabahat Rizvi, lawyer and Secretary in Lahore High Court Bar Association called Salman Akram Raja’s arrest as “Massive assault on Democracy…!!”
Massive assault on Democracy…!!#condemn#illegalarrest#salmanAkramRaja pic.twitter.com/abPdpbFwws
— Sabahat Rizvi (@Rizsab1) February 17, 2024
Afrasiab Khattak, former senator and human rights activists, condemned Raja’s arrest in a tweet. He posted, “Peaceful protest against rigging is a fundamental right of every citizen. Such actions can’t silence the people’s protest.”
The arrest of Salman Akram Raja, a prominent lawyer of the country who also contested the recent election for an NA seat from Lahore, is condemnable. Peaceful protest against rigging is a fundamental right of every citizen. Such actions can't silence the people's protest.
— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) February 17, 2024
In a post on social media X, caretaker Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir claimed that “some miscreants”, including PTI leader Salman Akram Raja, had “tried to take the law into their hands. They have been released after being detained briefly.”
For the third time since the February 8 general elections held across the country, the PTI founder called for nation-wide protests on February 17, against “rigging” of Pakistan polls.
Also, to prevent the party supporters from demonstrating, and in a violation of their right to assemble, the Islamabad Police enforced section 144 in the capital city. In a post on X, the police said that there could be increased traffic near the F9 park and urged the public to avoid “unnecessary travel” on the nearby routes.