Imran Khan’s sisters are traitors! Water shower in cold, why did dictator Asim Munir’s army commit atrocities in the middle of the night?

politics in pakistan Now it is not limited to elections and Parliament only, but has come out on the streets outside the jail. Perhaps no one had even imagined that demanding the right to meet former Prime Minister Imran Khan would be so costly for his sisters and supporters. The harsh cold, the time of midnight and the entire police-army contingent present the picture of an oppressive regime rather than a democratic country.

Despite clear orders of the court, Imran Khan’s sisters were prevented from meeting their brother. What happened next raised serious questions on law, human rights and power relations in Pakistan. Water cannon, lathi charge and then FIR under sections like terrorism – this action is being considered as an open challenge not only on the protesters but also on the judicial system.

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Court order, still road closed

The Pakistani court has already ordered that Imran Khan’s family be allowed to meet him once a week. Under this order, his sisters reached Adiala jail on Tuesday. But the jail administration and security forces not only refused to meet, but also turned the area into a cantonment. This made it clear that the decisions are limited to papers, the will of the powers that be is being exercised on the ground.

Dharna becomes ‘crime’

Imran Khan’s sisters Alima Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan Niazi sat on a peaceful protest along with PTI workers and supporters. The only demand was that the court order should be implemented. But terming the protest as a “threat to law and order”, the police decided to use force.

Midnight operation, cold water shower

The police started action at around 2 o’clock in the night. In cold weather, water was sprayed on the protesters and then lathicharge was done. Women and the elderly were also not spared. The videos surfaced on social media testify that this was not an attempt to disperse the crowd but to create fear.

Sections up to terrorism in FIR

The action did not stop here. On December 17, an FIR was registered against 35 named and about 400 unidentified people. In this, serious sections like Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), rioting, attempt to murder, use of petrol bomb and violation of Section 144 were added. The named accused also include Imran’s sisters, PTI general secretary Salman Akram Raja, leader Aliya Hamza and party lawyer Naeem Panjhuta.

Arrests and Anti-Terror Court

According to Dawn report, at least 14 PTI workers were arrested. They were produced in the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), where three days’ physical remand was granted. This sent a message that a policy was being adopted to crush the protest by equating it with terrorism.

Question on Munir’s army

After this entire action, questions have intensified on the role of Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir. The opposition alleges that the army, along with the government, wants to completely destroy Imran Khan and PTI. The strictness imposed on Imran’s sisters is being said to be a part of this strategy.

Democracy or rule of fear?

The action against Imran Khan’s sisters has raised a big question on the health of democracy in Pakistan. When even court orders become ineffective in the face of power, then what will happen to the rights of the common citizen? This is no longer just a matter of a leader or a party, but of a system where the government is bent upon criminalizing those who ask questions.