PTI leader Azam Swati ‘arrested’
PTI leader Babar Awan claimed on Thursday the former federal minister Azam Swati had been “arrested” by men who identified themselves as Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) personnel.
“Midnight jackals came to his house and identified themselves as FIA personnel,” he said while speaking to the media.
Awan said he was condemning the “arrest” on his, the nation’s and the PTI’s behalf.
Last week, the PTI had said that a number of its leaders — including Senator Saifullah Khan Nyazee, Hamid Zaman and Tariq Shafi — had been picked up by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA); a claim that the agency had initially denied.
Later, during a press conference, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had said that Saifullah Nyazee and Amir Zaman had been taken into “protective custody” for interrogation, adding they might be arrested after due diligence, if necessary.
He said that the two men had not been appearing in the prohibited funding case.
Meanwhile, PTI founding member Hamid Zaman’s arrest by the FIA in a connection with a prohibited funding case in Lahore was also confirmed.
According to the FIR lodged against him, both Hamid and Shafi are accused of being accomplices of Abraaj founder Arif Masood Naqvi.
The FIR alleged that Naqvi had “siphoned off Rs9.1bn from funds of Abraaj Group and its subsidiary companies abroad and funnelled to the Aman Foundation’s accounts through Foreign Telegraphic Transfers (FTTs) with unexplained money trail.”
The FIR lodged in Lahore also names Karachi-based Tariq Shafi, whose residence was also raided by FIA and during an hour-long search and seized, “different items” were seized. However, while the PTI claimed he had been arrested, the agency denied making any arrests.
Controversial tweets: PTI leader Azam Swati arrested by FIA
Senior PTI leader Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati has been arrested citing unnamed sources.
He was taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) earlier today from his home in the federal capital, they said.
The PTI lawmaker was arrested over his alleged controversial tweets after a case was filed by the agency’s Cybercrime Wing (CCW) late last night.
Azam Swati has been accused of making statements against institutions and inciting people, the sources said.
Swati presented in court
The PTI leader, soon after his arrest was presented before senior civil judge Shabbir Bhatti’s court in the federal capital.
PTI’s lawyer Ali Bukhari represented Swati in court.
At the outset of the court proceeding, the FIA officials requested the court to grant a seven-day physical remand of Swati for investigation.
However, Swati’s counsel claimed that the “worst” torture was inflicted upon the senator. They stressed that Swati has been arrested only on “political grounds”.
Later, the court partially accepted the FIA’s plea, granting a two-day physical remand of Swati.
Swati is the third senior leader of the Imran Khan-led PTI who has been arrested by the FIA after Saifullah Khan Nyazee and Hamid Zaman. However, Nyazee and Zaman are being probed for their alleged involvement in the prohibited funding to the party.
PTI condemns arrest
Confirming the development, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar condemned the move and demanded that Swati be released immediately.
سینیٹر اعظم سواتی کی گرفتاری قابلِ مزمت ہے. ان کو فوری طور پر رہا کیا جائے
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 13, 2022
Smear campaign against state institutions
The PTI has often been accused by government functionaries of using social media against state institutions and running smear campaigns.
In August, a report on negative propaganda against the army on social media following the Lasbela helicopter crash discovered 178 accounts linked to the party.
After an investigation, social media activists and their handlers were tracked down, according to sources.
Over 2,350 posts were made through 580 accounts, and the campaign also included 18 Indian accounts. According to sources, cases will be filed against the accused under the applicable laws.
After an Army aviation helicopter went missing in Lasbela during a relief operation in flooded areas, a smear campaign was launched against the Pakistan Army, according to the report.
PTI social media activists, on the other hand, have apologised for their actions, it added.
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