Tag: arrest

  • ‘He was stripped naked’: Imran Khan reveals Shahbaz Gill was tortured in custody

    ‘He was stripped naked’: Imran Khan reveals Shahbaz Gill was tortured in custody

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has revealed that his chief of staff Shahbaz Gill was stripped naked and beaten up in custody.

    Gill was arrested for inciting the public against the state institutions.

    ‘He should not have said that,’ Khan on Gill’s remarks

    “Yes, he should not have said what he did. It seems like he is inciting rebellion in the armed forces. It was wrong. We want to see a strong military,” said Khan when asked if he condemns Gill’s remarks.

    “Gill was beaten and asked how many times did General Faiz meet Imran Khan and what does Imran Khan eat,” revealed Khan.

    ‘I am a professor, not a criminal’: Shahbaz Gill

    On August 12, Gill told a court in Islamabad that he is being subjected to extreme torture in custody. He added that he is not permitted to sleep and not even allowed to meet his lawyers. He alleged that no medical examination was conducted as claimed by the authorities. The Islamabad Police had earlier claimed that Gill underwent medical examination at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and the medical report revealed that he was not tortured.

    Shahbaz Gill was taken into custody on August 9 from Bani Gala Chowk for inciting the public against state institutions.

    Read more- ’Aqal hai tumhaaray mein,’ CM Punjab Pervaiz Elahi to Shahbaz Gill

    ‘PTI stands with Gill’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Fawad Chaudhry said recently the party is standing with Gill, adding that PTI chief Imran Khan had also raised the issue during Saturday’s rally in Lahore.

    He went on to say that the current government had also used indiscriminate force against children, women and unarmed citizens. “The same is happening with Shahbaz Gill.”

    “This is the policy of Rana Sanaullah which is being practiced in the country,” he added.

    He further claimed that the government wants to recover Gill’s mobile phone and wants custody of him so that they can torture him again. He went on to say that Gill made the controversial comments on Muharram 10 when mobile phone services were suspended.

    “The phone call was made via landline and you have that number. The statement was broadcast live on ARY News and you have that too,” he said.

    He went on to say that the current government had also used indiscriminate force against children, women and unarmed citizens. “The same is happening with Shahbaz Gill.”

    “This is the policy of Rana Sanaullah which is being practiced in the country,” he added.

    He further claimed that the government wants to recover Gill’s mobile phone and wants custody of him so that they can torture him again. He went on to say that Gill made the controversial comments on Muharram 10 when mobile phone services were suspended.

    “The phone call was made via landline and you have that number. The statement was broadcast live on ARY News and you have that too,” he said.

    High court adjourned hearing over his physical remand extension

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a notice to senior PTI leader Shahbaz Gill and adjourned the hearing on the matter of an extension in Gill’s physical remand today (August 15).

    The court adjourned the hearing after seeking a reply from Gill by tomorrow (Tuesday, August 16).

    On August 13, a judicial magistrate rejected the police’s request to extend Gill’s physical remand and sent him to jail on judicial remand. The same day, the prosecution filed an appeal in a sessions court, which was also dismissed. Subsequently, the government filed a petition in the IHC for Gill’s physical custody, arguing that the ongoing investigation against him and collection of evidence could not be completed without it.

    While hearing arguments from the prosecution today, Acting IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq questioned why authorities are seeking PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s physical custody.

    “You are saying that an extension in the suspect’s physical remand is necessary? What will you do after getting the extension?” Justice Farooq questioned.

    The prosecution maintained that the ongoing investigation against Gill and the collection of evidence cannot be completed without an extension of his remand in police custody.

    Islamabad Advocate General Jadoon informed the judge of the lower courts’ decisions regarding the PTI leader’s physical remand. He added that the government had taken “serious notice” of Gill’s comments on television that “targeted the country’s institutions” and registered a case against him.

    Court seeks Shahbaz Gill’s bail plea matter

    Shahbaz Gill filed a petition before an Islamabad district and sessions judge seeking post-arrest bail on Sunday, August 14, in the sedition case against him.

    On Monday, the court sought arguments on the bail plea. Gill’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry requested the court to issue a verdict on the plea, maintaining that his arguments are ready.

    At this, the judge responded that a similar case is under trial in the IHC as well. Faisal answered that the matter under trial in the IHC is related to the order of the judicial magistrate and, therefore, this court can hear the case regardless of the case in the high court.

    During the hearing, Gill’s lawyer stated, “It is a declared law that no one can be kept in jail for a single minute without reason.”

    At this, the court directed the investigation officer to appear in court with records at 11am. It also ordered the lawyer to submit a power of attorney on Gill’s behalf, and sought arguments from the parties upon resumption of the hearing at 11am.

    However, the hearing was further adjourned till 2pm. Meanwhile, the prosecution has requested the court to keep the case adjourned.

  • Wife of Gill’s driver granted bail

    Wife of Gill’s driver granted bail

    A judicial magistrate in Islamabad on Friday granted bail to Gill’s driver Izhar’s wife, Mehreen, who had been arrested under charges of rioting, assaulting a police party and theft during a raid on the house she was staying in.

    Speaking on Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on Thursday, PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the police was wrong to a arrest a woman. “Rana Sanaullah should take notice of the incident and dispose of the issue by arranging a bail for the woman.”

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that she has spoken to Rana Sanaullah that the woman should be released.

    She tweeted: “She should also be released. I have spoken to Rana Sahab. No one should be abused — not even our abusers.”

    Wife of Shahbaz Gill’s driver arrested, Khan condemns ‘fascist illegal abductions’

    The Islamabad Police on Thursday raided the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s driver, Izhar, to recover Gill’s mobile phone. A sedition case was filed against Gill.

    During Gill’s interrogation, he revealed that he had given his mobile phone to his driver/assistant, Izhar. His mobile phone has material related to the case against him

    Read More: Shahbaz Gill behind bars: CCTV footage contradicts claims of torture

    A first information report (FIR) has been filed against Izhar. He was with Gill at the time of his arrest and claimed he had been subjected to violence during Gill’s arrest. The FIR said Gill told the police that Izhar still had his mobile.

    What’s in the FIR?

    “The man identified himself as Izharullah while the woman identified herself as his wife, Mehreen,” reports Dawn.

    The FIR said both Izhar and his wife created a lot of fuss after seeing the police party and called five to six more people from inside the house.

    “All of them attacked the police party, put up resistance, began creating a hue and cry, and threatened the police party. As a result, more people gathered at the scene,” says the FIR.

    According to the FIR, while the suspects were putting up resistance, some of the suspects tore the shirt of a constable, Sajjad Shahid. They also tore buttons off his shirt and snatched his mobile phone and wallet, which contained his ATM card, service card, and Rs15,000 cash.

    Audio of Gill’s driver:

    In an audio clip posted on PTI’s official Twitter account, a man who identified himself as Gill’s assistant said: “The police have raided my house, harassed my wife and family members, and taken away our mobile phones.”

    “They are repeatedly asking me to bring Shahbaz Gill’s belongings. I don’t have anything,” he said.

    Fascist illegal abductions in shadows of late night: Imran Khan

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan “strongly” condemned the arrests, describing them as “fascist illegal abductions in shadows of late night”.

    Raid and arrests were legal: Islamabad Police

    Islamabad police said in a statement on Twitter that the raid and arrests were “legal”.

    “Wherever legal action is needed, the police will do their job.”

    Read More: Shahbaz Gill behind bars: Court approves two-day physical remand

    Gill, who is PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s chief of staff, was taken into custody on August 9 from Bani Gala Chowk for inciting the public against state institutions.

  • ‘I am a professor, not a criminal,’ Shahbaz Gill says he is being subjected to extreme torture

    ‘I am a professor, not a criminal,’ Shahbaz Gill says he is being subjected to extreme torture

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill told a court in Islamabad today (Friday, August 12) that he is being subjected to extreme torture in custody.

    “I am a professor, not a criminal.” Gill said that he is not permitted to sleep and not even allowed to meet his lawyers. He alleged that no medical examination was conducted as claimed by the authorities. The Islamabad Police had earlier claimed that Gill underwent medical examination at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and the medical report revealed that he was not tortured.

    Shahbaz Gill was taken into custody on August 9 from Bani Gala Chowk for inciting the public against state institutions.

    A district and sessions court in Islamabad hearing a sedition case against Gill on Friday (August 12) rejected the prosecution’s request to extend Gill’s physical remand. Instead, the court sent him to jail on judicial remand.

    Gill was presented in a court earlier today after the completion of two-day physical remand. On August 10, a court approved a two-day physical remand of Dr Shahbaz Gill in a sedition case.

    Read more – Islamabad court sends Gill to jail on judicial remand

    Strongly condemn the torture being inflicted on Shahbaz Gill: Imran Khan

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan said he strongly condemns the torture being inflicted on Shahbaz Gill.

    “Under what law & under who’s orders is this being done? If he broke any law then he shd be given a fair hearing.”

    Imran Khan added: “A climate of fear is being spread to make ppl kowtow before cabal of crooks.”

  • ‘Arrest, sexism, political victimisation’: Keep women out of your politics

    ‘Arrest, sexism, political victimisation’: Keep women out of your politics

    Politics in Pakistan hits a new low every day. This past week, the nation witnessed two incidents that again prove how women in politics are seen as soft targets to settle political scores. Be it misogyny, sexist remarks targeted harassment or political victimisation — we have seen how women face the brunt of most of these attacks.

    Case one: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan passed sexist and controversial remarks about Maryam Nawaz at a political rally in Multan on Friday. Khan said: “I was sent the video of Maryam’s speech in which she took my name so many times with such jazba and junoon that I want to tell her to be careful, your husband might get upset at you taking my name so often.” Khan’s misogynistic remarks about his political rival were uncalled for, and not what was expected from a national leader. One would have thought that a man who is almost 70-year-old, whose first wife has had to deal with perpetual harassment to this date, whose second wife faces a plethora of abuse on a regular basis, and whose current wife has not been spared either, would spare women. Yet he made these comments about Maryam Nawaz while addressing thousands of people looking to him as the future of the country. What message is being sent to our younger generation? That it is okay to sexualise women, that it is okay to mainstream misogyny? Where will it stop is what one wonders.

    Case two: Punjab’s anti-corruption department took former human rights minister Shireen Mazari into custody in Islamabad yesterday. A video clip shows female police officers manhandling Mazari after she refused to step out of her car. The way that she was harassed and manhandled and the timing make it look like a clear case of political victimisation.

    Pakistan at the moment is facing a national crisis. The new coalition government is finding it hard to stay afloat, the country needs a financial boost from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to survive economically. Serious decisions are to be made for the betterment of the country but what are the male politicians doing instead? Demeaning, silencing, and mocking strong women to put them down. Arresting Mazari because she is a vocal critic while demeaning Maryam because she is giving a tough time to her opponents.

    One can criticise anyone’s politics but in the case of women politicians, resorting to personal attacks is unwarranted. Mazari has faced such attacks from the likes of Khawaja Asif and others. Maryam was threatened with violence by Gandapur during the previous government.

    No one is above the law but abuse of power can never be condoned, regardless of who it targets or from where it emanates. Khan must apologise for his remarks about Maryam Nawaz. Such misogyny needs to stop against women. The government has released Mazari but she has been arbitrarily arrested because of the whims of a few men. It is high time that men keep women out of their politics. They cannot scare women into quitting.

  • Fact Check: TikToker Dolly did not set fire to the forest in Margalla Hills

    Fact Check: TikToker Dolly did not set fire to the forest in Margalla Hills

    Claim: TikToker Dolly set the Margalla Hills on fire leading to a forest fire lasting several days

    Fact: TikToker Dolly on her way back from Haripur came across an already lit fire and shot her TikTok

    On May 15th 2022, TikToker Dolly uploaded an 11 second video of her performing to a song with a forest fire in the background. On May 17th 2022, this video was viral on Twitter, being shared and condemned by Twitter users with hundreds of thousands of followers. It was widely believed that she lit the fire in order to shoot her video.

    Surfing through Dolly’s TikTok account @dollyofficiall, it became clear that 6 days ago, on Thursday, May 12th, 2022 Dolly was attending an event in Haripur where she was specially invited as a TikTok star and influencer. It is the same outfit in which she shot her video with the forest fire in the background. Team Current reached Dolly’s Signature Salon in Gulberg on May 17th, where although we were unable to meet the celebrity herself, we met Usman who is her personal assistant and often appears in her TikToks as well. Usman informed us that the viral 11 second TikTok was shot as an afterthought. Usman later also shared a video with us, embedded below, which was shot when Dolly and Usman found the fire while on the motorway back from Haripur and made a video with a local who claimed to have set the fire himself to protect his children from snakes.

    Video shared by Usman from Dolly’s Signature Salon: Dolly explains that while on her way back from Haripur she saw this fire on the side of the motorway and chose to record a TikTok. She also introduces the man who claims to have the set fire himself.

    This video conclusively proves that the fire was set before Dolly reached the location. Mainstream news channels such as ARY, GEO, Bol have all covered this event quoting an FIR that was lodged against her and teammates in Kohsar Police Station. Social media users as well as TV channels are connecting this instance of forest fire with another video in which two men are seen setting fire in Margalla Hills. This video was recorded two days after Dolly recorded her own TikTok on May 15th.

    Several Twitter users openly condemned Dolly, called for her arrest and shamed her. Eventually the collective internet action led to the registration of an FIR against her at the Kohsar Police, Islamabad. However, it is clear that even though Dolly made a TikTok with a forest fire that has ranged over an expansive region by this point, she did not cause it. Dawn reports that the fire started out in the Chinari area of the Margalla Hills, another fire was also reported in forest 16 of the Saidpur Range earlier on Sunday.

    These yearly occurring forest fires are continuously increasing and the blame for these is often misdirected while local authorities such as Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) display negligence and disregard towards establishing a system of pre-emptive mechanisms to deal with this consequence of climate change

    VERDCIT: FALSE

  • ‘Don’t want to hand over government vehicles and houses to thieves’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Don’t want to hand over government vehicles and houses to thieves’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry was recently asked about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members who resigned but have yet to hand over government vehicles and houses back to the administration.

    While talking to the media, Fawad responded, “[We] did not want to hand over government vehicles and houses to thieves.”

    Fawad was also asked about the possible arrest of the PTI chairperson Imran Khan, and Chaudhry said that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah would be mad if he arrested Imran Khan. “Whoever will arrest Imran Khan, it will be difficult for him to stay in Pakistan.”

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Sunday warned that if Imran Khan is arrested, Pakistan will turn into Sri Lanka.

    Rasheed said that if Khan is arrested, PTI has already devised a strategy to deal with the situation, adding that the country would plunge into a political crisis and would witness a situation like the one in Sri Lanka. 

  • VIDEO: Minor driver cries after hitting a car in Karachi

    A 12-year-old boy, driving a car in Karachi, hit another vehicle at the city’s Memon Goth Road, ARY News reported.

    The video shows a teenage boy along with four other kids, riding an expensive car and smashing it into another vehicle due to overspeeding.

    The boys can be seen crying and apologising when they were caught by the owner of the other vehicle.

    The owner in the video alleges that the boy said that his father is a policeman and they are coming from Memon Goth. The owner of the damaged vehicle informed the police as well, which arrived and caught the children.

    The police said the children were released, later, after warning as the parents had assured not to let them drive again and keep an eye on them

  • School sweeper arrested for raping fifth-grader in Sheikhupura

    School sweeper arrested for raping fifth-grader in Sheikhupura

    Police arrested a sweeper at a government school in Sheikhupura for raping a fifth-grader inside the school, Shahbaz Khan reported for Samaa News.

    Younas Masih was arrested on Monday after the child’s mother reported the case at Housing Colony Police Station, Sheikhupura.

    The mother alleged that after her child told her that she was assaulted by the sweeper at the school, she went to the police but they did not listen to her.

    She then had to go to the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau who helped her register the case.

    The child’s medical examination  at the District Headquarters Hospital had confirmed the sexual assault

    Police said the suspect has confessed to the crime.

    The suspect said that he used to buy the child shawarmas. “One day I forcefully took her to the washroom.”

    A report sent by the principal to the District Education Authority said that Younas was detained from the school gate on Monday around 10:30am.

    Read More: One year of rape cases in Pakistan

    After Younas was caught, the principal formed a four-member internal committee to probe the incident.

    Sheikhupura police presented the suspect before a local court on Tuesday. The court sent Younas on three-day physical remand.

  • VIDEO: Man arrested for harassing women at Lahore bus stop

    The Punjab police detained a man on Thursday for harassing three women waiting at a bus stop in Lahore.

    A Twitter user, Hasna Khan Dasti, posted a video that shows a man advancing towards the women who were running away from him.

    https://twitter.com/HasnaDasti/status/1440993562951393283?s=20

    Soon after the video did the rounds on social media, the Punjab police shared a picture of the suspect in custody, saying that the police had registered a case and arrested the suspect.

    Since the Minar-e-Pakistan incident, the number of sexual harassment and assault cases has increased up to 300 per cent in Lahore.

    A police report stated that during the past 1.5 months, 642 cases of sexual harassment were registered under sections 354, 354-A and 509-B as compared to the number of incidents up to less than 150 that had been reported before August 14.

    Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shariq Jamal Khan said that the ratio of sexual assault and harassment cases was high in the past but previously people used to avoid registering cases.

    He added that the actions related to the accused in the incident of Greater Iqbal Park have encouraged the women to report such cases. He said that the authorities will take strict action in such cases.

  • Mother of two raped in Rawalpindi at job interview

    Mother of two raped in Rawalpindi at job interview

    A woman who went to Rawalpindi from Lahore was raped by an unidentified man who promised to give her a job after an interview, Dawn reported.

    As per details, the victim, a mother of two, reported to Race Course police that she along with her family were in a department store when a man came to them and distributed property advertisement pamphlets.

    She said she took a pamphlet and informed her husband about the advertisement, who later contacted a man for further details. The man told her husband to come to Rawalpindi where he could arrange a job for her in his project.

    Read More: Police rescue woman raped by brother, held hostage for two years

    Later, the woman with her husband and children went to Rawalpindi and reached Saddar where the man was waiting for them in a black car. Upon reaching Saddar, the husband was asked to stay there with his children as the man would take his wife for an interview and come back soon.

    She said she was taken to a hotel situated and asked to wait at the reception until her turn for an interview. She said although she resisted going into a hotel room, she was taken to a room where she was asked to wait, adding the suspect locked the door from inside, raped her and escaped.

    She said that as he was fleeing, she shouted and tried to catch him but he was able to run away.

    Police said medical examination of the victim was carried out and the suspect was arrested by Race Course police. He will be presented before a court of law for remand custody.