By | Kamran Ashraf Bhat
Srinagar: In a disturbing video circulating online, Dr. Zarqa, a prominent member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), declared her unwavering loyalty to the party’s founder, Imran Khan, and made a chilling revelation: her son has been abducted by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. The video comes in the wake of intense pressure on PTI members to support a controversial constitutional amendment proposed by the Shahbaz Sharif-led government, which critics say would give Pakistan’s military unchecked powers.
The amendment in question, pushed by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) government, seeks to establish a separate constitutional court, transfer judicial authority over key decisions, and empower the military to detain dissenters. This move comes amid growing tension between the government and Pakistan’s judiciary, with several judges resisting efforts to influence rulings on electoral irregularities. In this climate, opposition voices claim that lawmakers and their families are being targeted for coercion.
Dr. Zarqa, who has been under fire from PTI supporters for returning to Pakistan during the current political crisis, used the video to deny accusations that she intends to defect and support the government’s constitutional amendment. “I will never betray PTI or Imran Khan,” she stated, her voice cracking with emotion. “But I need support from workers now—my son has been kidnapped.”
Her plea follows widespread reports from PTI members that they are being subjected to horrifying intimidation tactics. Sahibzada Hamid Raza, a PTI-backed member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, made an explosive allegation during an interview with journalist Kashif Abbasi on ARY News. “Dr. Zarqa’s son has been kidnapped, and she is being threatened with dire consequences if she does not support the government’s constitutional amendment bill,” he revealed.
The most shocking account, however, came from Raza as he recounted the harrowing experience of fellow PTI lawmaker Fayaz Chachad. “Chachad’s 12-year-old son was abducted, and his torture was broadcast live to his mother via Zoom,” Raza said. “They plucked the child’s chest hair and skin, removed his nails—this unspeakable cruelty was shown to his mother in real-time.” The traumatized family remains under immense pressure to comply with the government’s demands.
These accounts are part of a broader campaign of intimidation targeting PTI officials and their families, as the military regime reportedly seeks to secure votes for the constitutional amendment. PTI’s USA chapter has taken to social media, sharing videos and statements from party members who are facing threats and psychological torment. “They told me I must obey or else terrible things would happen to my family,” Saadullah Baloch, another PTI member, said in a statement. “But I stand with Imran Khan today, and I will stand with him tomorrow.”
The constitutional amendment, designed to shift power away from Pakistan’s judiciary, comes at a critical time. The Sharif-led government has faced resistance from judges over its attempts to influence electoral oversight. As Pakistan teeters on the brink of authoritarian rule, the amendment would essentially place the military above the law, allowing it to silence opposition figures with impunity.
Imran Khan, currently imprisoned under contentious charges, has been increasingly isolated. The government has imposed a blanket ban on any contact between Khan and his family or party members, further straining the already dire situation. Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, issued a public statement expressing alarm over his condition. “In recent weeks, there have been concerning developments regarding Imran Khan’s treatment in prison. The authorities have stopped all visits and postponed court hearings,” she wrote on social media. “He is now completely isolated in solitary confinement, with no contact with the outside world.”
Goldsmith’s appeal also highlighted the ongoing targeting of Khan’s family members, who have faced arrest and harassment. “Imran’s sisters, Uzma and Aleema Khan, were arrested while peacefully protesting,” she continued. “They are being held without any legal justification, despite the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention calling for Imran’s immediate release.”
As the international community remains largely silent, Pakistan’s government continues its crackdown on PTI officials and supporters. The military’s tightening grip on power has led to fears of a full-blown authoritarian takeover, with political dissent being crushed through tactics reminiscent of the country’s darkest periods.
For now, Dr. Zarqa, like many of her PTI colleagues, remains defiant, refusing to be coerced into betraying her party or its leader. But the stakes have never been higher. With family members being abducted, tortured, and held hostage, Pakistan’s political future hangs in a precarious balance.
Pakistan’s legal community is raising alarms over a controversial constitutional amendment that many believe is aimed at preventing Justice Mansoor Ali Shah from becoming the next Chief Justice of Pakistan. With the imminent retirement of Justice Qazi Faez Isa on October 25, 2024, Justice Shah, the senior-most judge, is next in line by established judicial norms. However, the Shahbaz Sharif-led government’s delay in issuing his elevation notification has sparked concerns about political interference in the judiciary.
Muneer A Malik, a prominent leader of Pakistan’s lawyer movement, condemned the amendment, labeling it “an outright assault on the judiciary’s independence.” He noted, “The government is attempting to rewrite the rules at the last moment to bypass Justice Shah and appoint someone more favorable to their interests. This sets a dangerous precedent for our legal system.”
The proposed amendment seeks to alter the traditional seniority rule by allowing the next Chief Justice to be chosen from among the three senior-most judges, instead of automatically appointing the most senior. Legal analysts view this as part of a broader strategy by the Sharif government to block Justice Shah, who has delivered independent rulings that have challenged the regime’s authority. Particularly, Shah’s decisions related to the rigged election claims and electoral irregularities pose a threat to the ruling government.
Malik emphasized, “Justice Shah’s leadership in the judiciary would pose significant challenges to the government, especially given his history of standing up for judicial independence and transparency. This amendment is not just an attack on Justice Shah but an attempt to undermine the entire judiciary.”
Lawyer bodies across Pakistan, during their conferences, have also spoken out against the amendment, with many asserting that it is a blatant move to prevent Justice Shah from ascending to the position of Chief Justice. “We will not stand for this manipulation,” Malik declared. “The legal community is united in its resolve to defend the judiciary’s independence from any political tampering.”
Editor’s Note: This article was written amid ongoing developments in Pakistan, where political instability and allegations of human rights abuses continue to unfold.
