WASHINGTON: The US State Department has urged the South Asian country to protect human rights and uphold democratic values, voicing concern about the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders.
“Reports of PTI leaders being arrested have been seen by us. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed alarm about the detention of opposition leaders during a press briefing in Washington on Tuesday.
The response from Washington takes place in the context of PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan’s detention for reportedly being in charge of a digital media unit that disseminated false information about Pakistan and its integrity.Under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act’s provisions 9 (glorification of an offence), 10 (cyber-terrorism), and 11 (hate speech), a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against 12 PTI officials and employees, including Hasan.
The Central Secretariat building of the party has also been sealed by authorities due to alleged violations of pertinent fire safety laws, as reported by The News on Wednesday.
Since Imran Khan, the party’s founder, was arrested in a graft case, the party has been subject to widespread arrests, a national crackdown, and vandalism of multiple military and government facilities. The riots began on May 9.
Due to their suspected involvement in several scandals, the party’s leadership, including Khan and other prominent figures like Shah Mahmood Qureshi, are already behind prison.
