ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Shoaib Shaheen on Thursday condemned arrest of journalist Imran Riaz Khan by Punjab police and assault of Ayaz Amir by unknown persons.

He termed the arrest of Riaz as violation of constitutional rights and argued that society would have been crime-free if Punjab police and state institutions took steps with such dedications and quickness against terrorists and criminals as that of in Imran Riaz’s cases. Shaheen hosted a seminar on regime change a few days ago.

He claimed that the arrest of Riaz is linked with the said seminar because the latter has criticised the establishment in the speech delivered on the occasion. Shaheen observed that these steps will elevate polarization.

“Freedom of expression is included in basic human rights, which is the basis of a democratic country” president IHCBA said.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2022