HRCP Condemns Arbitrary Arrests of PTI Workers

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly deplored the sweeping detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers, lawmakers, and leaders ahead of the opposition party’s planned political protest march.
The crackdown, which has intensified across various parts of Punjab, has raised serious concerns among civil society organizations regarding freedom of expression and the protection of constitutional liberties in the country.
According to official statements released by the HRCP via its social media channels, alarming reports indicate that scores of political workers, including women, have been arbitrarily taken into custody by law enforcement agencies.
Compounding these concerns, several families have reported distressing difficulties in locating their detained relatives, pointing to a severe lack of transparency surrounding the arrests and detentions executed by the local administration.
The rights watchdog emphasized that it remains the fundamental responsibility of the state and provincial authorities to uphold the democratic right to peaceful assembly and free movement for all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The commission warned that heavy-handed tactics and preemptive crackdowns on political opposition further polarize the national political landscape and undermine democratic norms essential for institutional stability.
As political tensions continue to mount across the province, legal experts and human rights defenders are calling for immediate judicial oversight to ensure adherence to due process.
Meanwhile, PTI leadership has vowed to proceed with its demonstration plans, while civil rights organizations urge the government to release detained non-violent workers and respect fundamental constitutional rights.