LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has formed a committee to probe allegations of the torture of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) women in prison.
The two-member committee, comprising Lahore Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider and SSP Investigation Dr Anosh Masood, will visit Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail and meet with women inmates to investigate the claims made by the PTI.
The PTI, in connection with the May 9 violence, alleges mistreatment of their women supporters who have been arrested, along with thousands of other workers. The committee’s objective is to gather evidence and ascertain the veracity of the allegations.
In response to the allegations, Mohsin Naqvi dismissed them as baseless and misleading. He stated that there had been no incidents of mistreatment of women and criticized the propaganda surrounding the issue. He also mentioned that the identity parade of Khadija Shah, a prominent PTI worker, was underway, referring to a viral video in which she apologized for her actions on May 9.
Punjab Information Minister Condemns Torture Allegations
Punjab Information Minister Aamir Mir also condemned the spread of false and misleading information regarding the mistreatment of the arrested women. He affirmed that the police treat the women in jails with courtesy, adhering to the law. Mir accused those responsible for planning the May 9 events of attempting to mislead the public, emphasizing the importance of maintaining accurate information.
The PTI has faced the repercussions of the state’s authority following the violent acts committed by enraged party workers, including attacks on military installations such as the Lahore Corps Commander’s House and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Imran Khan, Chairman of the PTI, has called on the judiciary to intervene and address the alleged mistreatment of women in custody, urging the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the matter. The committee’s investigation aims to shed light on the allegations of mistreatment and provide clarity on the situation.
