Women opposition leaders tortured in Detention: Pakistan’s ex-PM Khan

Islamabad, May 17 (EFE).- Ex-prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday alleged that women workers of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party were tortured in police custody.

Khan, whose arrest sparked violent protests across the country last week, demanded the immediate release of detained supporters and party members.

The PTI has claimed that more than 7,000 workers and supporters have been in the aftermath of the violence and vandalism.

Khan was set free on bail after three days in detention on Friday.

“I demand immediate release of all our female leaders, workers and the female family members of our leaders and workers,” he said on Twitter.

He accused the police of illegally arresting and abducting party leaders and workers, including PTI second-in-command and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, ex-human rights minister Shireen Mazari and her daughter Imaan Mazari.

He alleged that male police officers were physically assaulting female workers in detention.

“This is purely to spread terror amongst the people so that they do not stand up for their constitutional rights.”

Khan claimed he had video evidence of the alleged barbaric treatment of his female supporters, many of whom are in Pakistani jails in “inhumane conditions, vulnerable to police excesses.”

Violent protests erupted in Pakistan after Khan was arrested on corruption charges last week, with thousands of supporters demanding his release.

The government and the powerful military vowed to try the civilians who damaged military installations in military courts.

Human rights groups have criticized the measure, calling it unconstitutional and against the fundamental rights of citizens. EFE

aa-ssk