Imran Khan says he was shocked & appalled at how rapidly we are descending into not just a banana republic but a fascist state

ISLAMABAD, Nov 27, (SABAH): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan and other PTI leaders on Sunday reacted strongly after Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati was arrested against over controversial statement against a state institution.

The PTI leader was taken into custody from his farmhouse located in Chak Shahzad, a suburb situated in Islamabad, by three-member FIA Cyber Crime Wing’s team, hours after his party staged a power-show in the neighbouring city of Rawalpindi. In his address, he talked about the ordeal he faced during his arrest last month.

Taking to Twitter, PTI Chairman Imran Khan wrote: “I am shocked and appalled at how rapidly we are descending into not just a banana republic but a fascist state. How can anyone not understand the pain and suffering Senator Swati underwent with custodial torture and blackmailing video of him and his conservative wife sent to his family?”

“His justifiable anger and frustration at the injustice meted out to him especially the doors of SC [Supreme Court] remaining closed to him despite over a fortnight of appeals by Senators in support of him. So he tweets and is arrested again,” he added while urging people to raise their voice against this state fascism.

PTI leader Dr. Shireen Mazari also termed the incident as an act of “fascism”, stating that Swati was arrested by FIA after he spoke at “Azadi March” in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

“Senator Azam Swati arrested again by FIA after he spoke at our Azadi March where he asked some questions & spoke abt what hapened to him & his family. Is that a crime? Did the pussilanimous Senate Chairman again give his approval for this arrest? Fascism,” the tweet read.

PTI Secretary General Asad Umar also reacted to the arrest, saying: “The dignified manner in which Azam Swati conducted himself as he was arrested today shows he is fighting for a principle”.

“You can disagree with his choice of words or even his views, but you cannot disagree with him that whatever happens must do so within ambit of law,” the former planning minister said.