Imran takes Punjab govt to task over nephews' arrest

Published July 3, 2015
PTI Chairman Imran Khan takes the Punjab government to task over the recent arrests of two of his nephews by Punjab police for allegedly violating traffic rules. — Online/File
PTI Chairman Imran Khan takes the Punjab government to task over the recent arrests of two of his nephews by Punjab police for allegedly violating traffic rules. — Online/File

In a series of inflammatory tweets on his official Twitter account, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Friday took the Punjab government to task over the recent arrests of two of his nephews by Punjab police for allegedly violating traffic rules.

The PTI chief questioned the police's actions and whether traffic violations warrant such a reaction. He claimed that his nephews were mistreated "because of who they are".

Referring to the media's immediate arrival at the scene as "strange", Imran claimed that the incident was arranged. Hitting out at Punjab's police force, Khan said that "Punjab police have become Gullus".

Vouching for his nephews as "decent youngsters", Imran expressed his satisfaction over their upbringing. He also said that his nephews did not use their relationship with Imran Khan for their own vested interests.

The PTI chief said that it was "shameful" how Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had called his sister as he is responsible for his province's police and turning it into a "monster force".

Imran said that he will pursue this case to "expose" the Punjab government which, he alleged, is using its police force for political victimisation.

Read: Imran Khan's nephew arrested in Lahore

Two nephews of Imran were arrested on Wednesday from Lahore's Race Course area after they allegedly hurled abuses at a traffic warden who stopped them for violating traffic rules. They were released on bail on Thursday. A case was registered against the two for "threatening to kill" and "obstructing the job" of a government official.

Also read: Imran Khan's nephews released on bail

Khan's nephews were released on bail with a surety bond of Rs 50,000 each, as their lawyer had claimed all sections are bailable offenses. The lawyer had alleged that the accused were tortured while in police custody. A magistrate had ordered a medical examination to verify the claims.

Speaking to media representatives on Thursday, Imran's sister Dr Uzma said she had filed a complaint against the alleged torture of her children in police custody. She said her boys were beaten with butts of guns during custody and the complaint was her effort to ensure that no one else's children face such treatment in future.

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