ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah yesterday said that the government will first direct Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers - who voluntarily presented themselves for arrests - to far-off jails before sending them to prisons in Lahore or Rawalpindi.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said that between 100 to 150 people have thus far courted arrests as part of the PTI's 'Jail Bharo' movement a drive that seeks to mark a protest against the government's policies and to put pressure on the ruling coalition to announce elections.

"Eighty per cent of the arrested ones are asking to be released," said Sanaullah as he revealed that all participants of the PTI's drive have been taken into custody for 30 days.

"You wished to go to jail, so you have been sent there," he said mockingly, "we are having you visit jails so that you can acquaint yourselves with the conditions there".

Without referring to the matter that remains subjudice, Sanaullah said "we will first fill jails in far-off areas and afterward fill the jails of Lahore and Rawalpindi".

"We hold the judiciary in utmost respect and regard," he added as he stressed that "weakening" the judiciary would be synonymous with "increasing the difficulties of the country".

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 27 2023

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