In an uncivilized turn of events, the chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan was manhandled at the Punjab University Campus today. He was later arrested by the police. A group of students kept him detained on the campus and later turned him over to the police. According to Dawn’s Report:
Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan was arrested from outside the Punjab University’s new campus on Wednesday after he had been manhandled and detained in the campus allegedly by activists of the Islami Jamiat Talaba. Imran Khan had gone to the university at the invitation of a joint action committee of students.
The visit had been approved by Qazi Hussain Ahmed, chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, to which the IJT is affiliated. On his arrival at the campus, the PTI chief was confronted reportedly by a group of IJT activists who kicked him around and punched him. They took him to a room in the Centre for High Energy Physics and detained him there for about 45 minutes.
This is an interesting (and sad) turn of events. Imran Khan‘s party and the mother party of IJT are both partners in APDM. Imran and Qazi have been seen together in many media photo shoots for the past year or so. Will today’s action by IJT guys will cause long term bad-blood between the two parties? It is left to be seen.
We strongly believe that inspite of political differences, no person deserves physical bashing and humiliation as was met out to Imran. Political differences should never be taken to such extreme where people use force to get their point across. It is wrong. Shame on those who manhandled him. I was recently reading an article on political bashing in the Wall Street Journal. It had a punch line which just kept resonating with me. It read:
Our politics suffer when passions overcome reason and vitriol becomes virtue.
Details on Imran‘s manhandling can be read here, here, here and here.
Imran on Hunger Strike
http://www.teeth.com.pk/blog/2007/11/21/imran-khan s-hunger-strike/
The News Editorial
http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=81967
I have not always been an admirer of IK but after the imposition of martial law in Pakistan – he is the only political leader who has come out unequivocally against anything thats associated with this regime. He might lose out in the end – but at least he will have this satisfaction that he fought for something precious – whether the masses realize it or not – unlike every other politician – be it the mullahs or the sharifs or the so called liberals/secularists.
Just to respond to couple of comments that I read on here
– In the West – universities are bastions of free speech and political discourse is welcomed. And, since when did the fascists thugs of IJT have ever sought permission to beat up people – break up congregations – chant slogans in favor of JI agenda that they complain about IK not getting permission from them to be on campus as if they are the owners of PU – this reminds me of another episode couple of decades ago when we travelled to Lahore from Karachi during our academic tour and had arrangements to stay at UET – and IJT thugs blocked the gates of the university in the middle of the night during a storm after a day and half of travel just because the trip was organized by their political rivals – 150 people including girls had to find accomodation in the middle of the night – this is IJT fascists for you!
Down with the Army (gang of good for nothing duffers!) and mullahs and their chamchas galore. God help our country and its apathetic masses.
Yes, he has been on a strike since Sunday. I am hoping that people close to him can get him out of this. Only his brother in law has been able to see him in the high security Dera Ghazi Khan jail.
His life is too precious to be wasted like this. I would urge all to show their support here and in whichever you can.
Imran is on hunger strike. I am really surprised that no body in Pakistan is taking notice of that. Its a shame