CHARSADDA: Leaders of the Pakistan Mazdoor Kisan Party (PMKP) on Monday condemned the alleged arrest of the party’s Central President, Afzal Shah Khamosh, describing it as an attempt to suppress freedom of expression.
Addressing a press conference at the Charsadda Press Club, the party’s provincial president, Adil Mehmood, along with other office-bearers, alleged that Khamosh was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at the Bacha Khan International Airport while preparing to board a flight to the United Kingdom on a private visit. According to Adil, the party chief was informed at the airport that his name had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL), after which FIA officials took him into custody.
He questioned the government over the legal and constitutional grounds for placing Khamosh’s name on the ECL, asking authorities to clarify whether any first information report had been registered against him.
“Detaining a political leader without a transparent legal justification is a violation of democratic values and fundamental human rights,” Mehmood said.He maintained that the PMKP has been pursuing a peaceful political struggle for the rights of workers, farmers and the underprivileged, but alleged that the party leadership was being subjected to political victimisation.
Calling the arrest an attempt to silence dissent, Adil warned that if Afzal Shah Khamosh was not released within 24 hours, the party would initiate legal proceedings and launch a nationwide protest movement. He said the responsibility for any resulting situation would rest with the relevant authorities.
At the conclusion of the press conference, party leaders demanded the immediate release of Afzal Shah Khamosh, urged the government to disclose the legal reasons for placing his name on the ECL, and called for any case against him to be presented transparently before a court of law to ensure that the requirements of justice are fulfilled.
