Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar reported that police detained his father, Mian Azhar, before the February 8 elections. Azhar stated on his social media handle that the 82-year-old former Punjab governor was attempting to lead an election rally in Lahore, exercising his democratic rights.
Hammad Azhar criticized the current state of affairs, accusing the government of fascism and a lack of human rights. He targeted Nawaz Sharif and his daughter for their alleged roles in the nation’s governance issues.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Farid Paracha denounced the arrest and recognized Mian Azhar as a senior politician and a respected figure.
This incident occurs amidst escalating election activities in Pakistan, with less than two weeks until the general elections. PTI and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have voiced concerns about facing an uneven playing field in the elections.
Earlier this month, the PTI experienced a setback when the Supreme Court affirmed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to revoke its bat electoral symbol due to unconstitutional intra-party elections.
In anticipation of security challenges for the upcoming February 8 elections, the Punjab provincial government enforced Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) across the province last week. The directive includes banning arms display and aerial firing in Punjab, the country’s most populous and politically influential province.
The imposition of Section 144 also encompasses adherence to the ECP’s code of conduct for the elections, with reports of potential security threats and conflict among election candidates. This order will remain effective until February 12, with violations subject to legal action.
Given the increase in terror-related incidents, the highest since 2015, there are growing concerns about the security of candidates and voters in the imminent elections.
