Social media users stand divided over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s claim on party leader Shahbaz Gill being subjected to police torture.
Shahbaz Gill was arrested on August 9 over charges of sedition and abetting mutiny. While an Islamabad court had initially rejected the police’s demand for an extension of Gill’s physical remand, a recent verdict gave them a two day extension. The PTI has alleged that Gill was tortured by the police and remains in danger of further torture if he returns to police custody.
While scores of social media users including journalists and analysts have been expressing their opinion on the matter. While some questioned the narrative presented by the PTI, others were sympathetic to Gill’s case.
He is not tortured at all. It is just a lie, a FAKE PROPAGANDA. And I’m glad once again, PTI/Gill’s sympathisers everywhere are yet again exposed in their fascism & moral decay by just mere mentioning of facts and truth by me! https://t.co/UpU7ykJDWE
— Gharidah Farooqi (@GFarooqi) August 18, 2022
Gill got arrested and hasn’t lasted 10 days without making a full show. PTI walas need to be shown how to bear jail in pak. Cancer surviving Shahbaz, above 65 heart patient Nawaz, Parkinsons’ ridden Zardari, Maryam, Hamza & all PDM have survived longer in harsher conditions.
— Omer Azhar (@OmerAzhar96) August 18, 2022
Some others questioned the veracity of the facts being presented.
آکسیجن تو چل ہی نہیں رہی۔۔اور یہ آئی ڈی ایف کے جنرل سیکٹری سعید مصطفی تو دانتوں کے ڈاکٹر ہیں۔
ایک ڈینٹسٹ کا آئی سی یو میں کیا کام؟؟؟
جن سیریس مریضوں کو آئی سی یو سے شفٹ کرکے انکے بیڈز پر قبضہ کیا گیا ہے انکا کیا قصور؟ pic.twitter.com/aWN5Ed02cf— Waseem Abbasi (@Wabbasi007) August 17, 2022
یہ چار افراد کون ہیں
جب شہباز گل کو ایمبولینس سے اتارا جا رہا تھا یہ سیلفیاں لینے میں مصروف تھے ان میں سے ایک نے دوسرے سےکہا کہ میری ویڈیو تم بناؤ میں تمھاری بناتا ہوں میں سوچ رہا تھا پی ٹی آئی ورکر ہیں
اب تصویر کے بعد بحثیت صحافی پمز ہسپتال کے میڈیکل بورڈ پر سوال اٹھا رہا ہوں pic.twitter.com/JnjMYcC4Hp— Haider Sherazi (@ImHaiderSherazi) August 17, 2022
There were some who believed that regardless of charges and regardless of who the person is, torture should not be supported.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan should take up the issue of alleged torture on Shahbaz Gill. Irrespective of charges against him his basic fundamental rights as a citizen must be respected. No one should support torture against anyone political or non-political person.
— Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) August 17, 2022
Only fascists have the luxury to choose whose rights are worth defending and whose can be violated.
Shahbaz Gill is a Pakistani & has been allegedly tortured in custody.
Be clear: Those torturing him are criminals. No one should face this kind of miscarriage of procedure.
— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) August 18, 2022
Torture is unacceptable in ALL circumstances. Shahbaz Gill did not do anything to deserve this kind of treatment. No human being deserves to be treated in such an undignified manner. Time to take a principled stand against torture by state authorities.
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) August 17, 2022
PTI routinely mocked the illnesses of the opposition and journalists.
Despite Shahbaz Gill having a history of lying I will not pass judgment on this case. If it is being alleged that he was tortured it should be investigated.
Torture against anyone should be condemned. https://t.co/OtUSiVyySx
— Shehzad Ghias Shaikh (@Shehzad89) August 18, 2022
