The CCTV footage of PTI leader Dr. Shahbaz Gill getting arrested by the police is making the rounds on social media. The video shows police officials dragging the former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister.
As per the video, a group of police officials stopped Shahbaz Gill’s vehicle at Imran Khan Chowk, Islamabad. One of the cops broke the window glass of his vehicle by hammering the gun.
Later, the police officials dragged Gill out of his vehicle and went away from the scene. The CCTV footage also showed that the cop shifted Gill to another vehicle.
CCTV footage of Shahbaz Gill arrest. pic.twitter.com/47ufG5JJws
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) August 9, 2022
Important to note that the video contradicts claims made by PTI leaders. For instance, former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry claimed that Shahbaz Gill was “kidnapped” by unknown men in unmarked vehicles. However, the CCTV footage shows officials in uniforms arresting Shahbaz Gill and at least one police vehicle.
شہباز گل کو بنی گالا چوک سے بغیر نمبر پلیٹ گاڑیوں میں آئے لوگوں نے اغواء کر لیا ہے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 9, 2022
Moreover, Imran Khan, while talking to the media, said Shahbaz Gill’s driver was tortured but the CCTV footage shows police officials only arresting Shahbaz Gill.
“Shahbaz Gill was arrested without any arrest warrant. His driver was tortured and his vehicle was damaged. If he has violated any law, then they should send him to jail. Gill was not arrested but abducted,” Imran Khan said.
Stay alert: Imran Khan warns PTI
Earlier, Dr. Shahbaz Gill, who is Imran Khan’s Chief of Staff, was arrested when he was on his way to visit the former Prime Minister. According to Islamabad police, Shahbaz Gill has been arrested for incitement against institutions and their leadership.
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To clarify, the PTI leader had slammed the Pakistan Army while speaking on a private TV channel a day prior. Shahbaz Gill had been using abusive language against the journalists and hurled threats at senior bureaucrats. The PTI leader had been involved in personal attacks and making below-the-belt remarks against his political opponents.
Shahbaz Gill’s arrest has been condemned by PTI leaders who have taken to Twitter to lambast the incumbent government.
“The entire system is trying to silence Imran Khan and his colleagues and remove them from the hearts of the people. All limits have been crossed but the government of the federation is the most failed and the most notorious. Now with the arrest of Shahbaz Gill, will Miftah manage the economy?” PTI leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar tweeted.
پورا نظام عمران خان اور اُن کے ساتھیوں کو خاموش کرانے اور عوام کے دلوں سے نکالنے پر لگا ہے۔تمام حدود پار ہو گئیں لیکن وفاق میں کٹھپتلی حکومت ناکام ترین اور بدنام ترین ہی ہے۔ اب شہباز گل کی گرفتاری سے کیا مفتاح کو معیشت چلانا آجائے گی؟
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) August 9, 2022
Following the arrest of Shahbaz Gill, PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked PTI leaders to stay alert and summoned a consultative session on Wednesday (today).
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According to reports, a strategy will be devised after the arrest of Shahbaz Gill. The PTI leadership will most likely take decisions regarding protest demonstrations and the initiation of crackdowns in Punjab. Under the prevalent situation, Imran Khan has asked PTI leaders to stay alert.