PTI leader Shahbaz Gill was released Monday morning, a day after police arrested him for violating the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct during the by-polls in Punjab, Geo News reported.
On Sunday, Gill was arrested for allegedly carrying and displaying weapons on his visit to polling stations PP-272 and PP-73.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in its election code of conduct for political parties and candidates, says: “Carriage and display of all kinds of lethal weapons and firearms shall not be allowed in public meetings and processions, and official regulations in respect thereof shall be strictly observed. Aerial firing, crackers, and other explosives at public meetings shall not be allowed.”
He was accompanied by his security guards, dressed as FC personnel.
However, Gill denied the allegations that he kept any security guards dressed in FC officials’ uniforms. He added that he had been engaged for three hours and was suddenly arrested without a warrant.
Read more: PML-N making fake videos of journalists for blackmail: Shahbaz Gill
In the wee hours of Monday, police presented Gill before the district magistrate court of the Tehseel Jataoi area, where the court issued orders to release him.
Immediately after the news of Gill’s arrest surfaced, PTI leaders took to Twitter to condemn the move and branded it an attempt to “rig the elections.”
PTI chief Imran Khan said: “These fascist tactics will not work, and our people will not be deterred from exercising their right to vote.”
Strongly condemn illegal arrest of Shahbaz Gill simply to try & rig elections & spread fear in ppl. These fascist tactics will not work & our ppl will not be deterred from exercising their right to vote. Handlers of Imported govt should realise damage they are doing to our nation
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 17, 2022
In another tweet later, he demanded the courts to “open now” and act against the brazen violations of the Supreme Court’s orders and electoral rules.
Today Punjab govt has brazenly violated SC orders & election rules by openly using all govt/State machinery to rig Punjab elections through illegal ballot stamping & harrassing voters while arresting PTI ldrs. Through it all ECP turned a blind eye. Courts must open now & act.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 17, 2022
Former human rights minister Shireen Mazari tweeted that the ECP was “making a mockery of the electoral process in Punjab” and called the arrest a “shameful abuse of power.”
Fascism at its peak making a mockery of the electoral process in Punjab. Arresting Shahbaz Gill, searching to arrest Zulfi Bokhari & Jamshed Cheema & ECP issuing notice against SMQ all tactics to instill fear in ppl & make possible rigging. Shameful abuse of power incl by Mr X.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) July 17, 2022
Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry urged other party leaders to be prepared for arrests, saying that police gardi (police brutality) was underway across Punjab.
پورے پنجاب میں بدترین پولیس گردی ہو رہی ہ، شہباز گل کی گرفتاری کی شدید مذمت کرتے ہیں کارکنان ایسی گرفتاریوں کیخلاف سینہ سپر ہو جائیں https://t.co/jkN3R2FRq3
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) July 17, 2022
With input from Dawn