PTI decries Centre’s ‘drive against political workers’

Expresses concerns over ‘harassment of social media activists and journalists by LEAs’

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have demanded that the federal government stop its “harassment campaign against political workers under the garb of crackdown on social media activists”.

In a demonstration organised outside the press club by the PTI social media’s Karachi chapter, they expressed concerns over the “harassment of social media activists and journalists at the hands of the law enforcement agencies” and termed it “undemocratic behaviour”.

A large number of party leaders and workers attended the rally and shouted slogans against the federal government’s “policy of arresting social media activists”.

PTI’s central leader MNA Asad Umer said the sole purpose of the protest was to uphold the constitution. “We’re guaranteed freedom of speech by the constitution, and we have gathered here to defend that very right. It seems that the government representatives who are going around harassing social media activists have a different copy of the constitution.”

He added that the reason his party chose the press club to assemble was because of its historical importance owing to numerous campaigns by journalists and activists.

“Even in the darkest days of dictatorship, these people kept fighting for their democratic right to protest, and now times have evolved and social media is also being used as a channel to raise one’s voice. Curtailing freedom by rounding up activists goes against the tenets of democracy.”

Speaking about the charges against PTI activist Owais Khan, Umer pointed out that the man’s own family members had served in the armed forces.

“Even his last tweet was a retweet of the DG ISPR, so it’s ironic that he was taken by the FIA on charges of abusing the army,” said the MNA, adding that no FIR had so far been registered against Khan.

Umer also mentioned the case of Faisal Ranjha, who was also picked up by the FIA over his social media activities.

“Even though Ranjha doesn’t belong to our party and is very critical of our leadership, we’d still raise our voice to defend his case because criticism shouldn’t be equated with treason. This development has shown that we’re living in a sham democracy, and if this would continue, then we’ll take to the streets.”

PTI Karachi President Firdous Shamim Naqvi said social media was the new generation’s medium to express their views, adding that the government has been terrorising them and stopping them from exercising their freedom of expression.

“The PML-N government is frustrated. To save its thinning credibility and shrinking vote bank ahead of the upcoming general elections, it’s using the law enforcement agencies to harass young social media activists.”

Sadia Ali, who heads the PTI’s women wing of information, said the social media was used by the youth, and everyone had the right to speak their mind.

“These tactics won’t help the state because we have the right to protest. If we’re stopped, then more people will stand up for themselves, and, eventually, the authorities would have to back down.” Awab Alvi, Sardar Abdul Aziz, Dawa Khan Sabir, Alauddin Agha, Saifur Rehman and Nusrat Wahid were prominent among the PTI leaders who participated in the demonstration.