PTI leaders are condemning the arrest of senior ARY anchorperson Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain who was taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
According to the details by Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain’s son, the senior journalist was in a coffee shop in Lahore when around 30 to 40 FIA officials came and took him into custody.
Later, while confirming the arrest in a statement, the FIA said the anchor was declared “wanted” in case number 94/2011 by FIA’s Commercial Banking Circle.
Read more: Journalists condemn arrest of TV anchor Jameel Farooqui
The statement further said that Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain had taken a loan worth over Rs50 million from a bank on fake documents in 2003, adding that two of his sons were also involved in the case. The FIA said that a banking court in Lahore has issued a non-bailable warrant for Hussain in the case.
“Further investigations are underway,” the FIA statement further added.
PTI leaders condemn arrest of Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain
The arrest is being widely condemned by journalists and political leaders. PTI leaders have spoken out against the arrest and are criticizing the government for allowing such an intense crackdown against journalists.
“Strongly condemn the arrest of Ch Ghulam Hussain. Chaudhry Sahib is a senior journalist. This kind of oppression has not been seen in the history of Pakistan,” senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.
Strongly condemn arrest of Ch Ghulam Hussain, چوہدری صاحب بزرگ صحافی ہیں کوئ شرم لحاظ ہونی چاہئے، اس طرح کا جبر پاکستان کی تاریخ میں نہیں دیکھا https://t.co/2QI5wTGe34
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 27, 2022
“Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain is in custody. It seems that those who have been raising their voices in favor of the army in the media are under reproach,” PTI’s Asad Umar said.
Read more: Arrest of ARY’s Ammad Yousaf sparks fury among journalists
چوہدری غلام حسین زیر حراست. یہ تو لگتا ہے کہ میڈیا میں جو بھی فوج کے حق میں آواز اٹھاتے رہے ہیں وہ زیر عتاب ہیں
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 27, 2022
“According to Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain’s son, his father, a senior journalist, was picked up by 20 to 25 people in a 12-year-old FIR. This is very sad news. He is elderly and has health problems. May Allah keep them safe. Times are tough on the journalistic community,” Dr. Shahbaz Gill said.
چوہدری غلام حسین کے بیٹے کے مطابق ان کے والد جو کہ ایک بزرگ صحافی ہیں ان کو ایک 12 سال پرانی FIR میں 20 سے 25 لوگ اٹھا کر لے گئے۔
یہ بہت افسوسناک خبر ہے۔ وہ بزرگ ہیں اور ان کی صحت جے مسائل ہیں۔ اللہ ان کو اپنے امان میں رکھے۔ صحافی برادری پر مشکل وقت ہے۔
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) October 27, 2022
Additional General Secretary of PTI Omar Ayub Khan, along with PTI President Sindh Ali Zaidi, even went to visit Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain at the FIA station in Lahore. In a video statement, he said that the government is just searching for excuses to pressurize the people.
At the FIA Station Lahore to visit senior & renowned TV anchor Ch. Ghulam Hussain Sb who has been arrested by this shameless Imported Govt in a feeble attempt to muzzle righteous & independent voices. He is in good spirits. Truth will prevail. Imran Khan will prevail inshallah pic.twitter.com/ySdnrFLY4y
— Omar Ayub Khan (@OmarAyubKhan) October 27, 2022