Haleem Adil slams police ‘high-handedness’, calls for accountability

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh on Sunday condemned police “high-handedness”, and called for accountability in Karachi. He also claimed that there is restriction on media coverage at the Insaf House.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Sheikh claimed that the PTI’s voice is not being heard, and that efforts are being made to suppress their voice, even though they represent the “largest” political party in the country.

He claimed that Dr Masroor Sial, PTI Karachi chief Raja Azhar, Arsalan Khalid, Rana Azam and other party leaders were arrested two days ago for crimes they did not commit and were subjected to police violence, with false FIRs registered against them.

“Our people were attacked in Sohrab Goth, where our leaders were insulted, and a corrupt DSP acted unjustly. We don’t fear jails; instead, our resolve strengthens when we face imprisonment,” he said.

“The Sohrab Goth police mistreated Raja Azhar and others. The media has shown this police brutality. We might overlook false cases, but we’ll hold those accountable for insults and humiliation,” he added. He also accused the Sohrab Goth police of being involved in extortion, drug trafficking and other illegal activities.

He also condemned the bomb blast at the Quetta Railway Station, saying that those responsible are friends of neither the country nor the nation, but are enemies of both. He stressed the need of eliminating the scourge of terrorism.

He noted that two days ago, the entire police force in Quetta was focused on targeting PTI workers, with law enforcement agencies preoccupied with preventing the party’s public gathering. He argued that if the police had been performing their actual duties, the terrorist incident could have been avoided.

He pointed out a similar situation in Sindh, where police efforts are primarily directed at apprehending PTI members instead of addressing genuine threats. He lamented that “the rule of law and judicial independence have effectively eroded in the country”.

He claimed that PTI founder Imran Khan is imprisoned not for any personal gain or for his party but for the rights of the people. He demanded releasing Khan and other leaders, and returning the PTI’s “stolen” mandate so the country can progress.

He stressed that if justice is not granted, they would spread their message to every household, and they would urge people to stand up for their rights. He also mentioned that since May, the PTI has been seeking permission of the deputy commissioner of District East to hold a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi, but they are yet to receive a response.

He said that a court hearing regarding the Karachi rally permission is scheduled for Monday (today). He warned that if the DC denies them permission, they would appeal to Khan to set a date for the rally and proceed regardless of opposition.

Azhar criticised the performance of the city police, saying that they have failed to control street crime, and cited that over 62,000 cases have been reported in 10 months: 16,777 mobile phones were snatched, over 39,000 people were deprived of motorbikes, and 1,489 cars were stolen.