Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Pakistani authorities to end “arbitrary” arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters in connection with the violent protests that erupted following the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan on May 9.
The international human rights watchdog has said the authorities have carried out mass protests and detained more than 4,000 people over violent protests held by PTI supporters across the country on May 9. The party supporters stormed the military installations, setting fire to them, while also damaging a number of public and private properties.
Nine people died during the clashes between police and protesters across the country.
Imran Khan was released two days later by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Last week, the military and political leadership decided to hold trials of PTI supporters involved in attacking military buildings under Army Act, drawing severe condemnation from human rights quarters.
In a statement released today, Human Rights Watch has said many PTI protesters and leaders who have been arrested by the police are being charged under “vague and overbroad laws prohibiting rioting and creating threats to public order”.
Urging the authorities to release those held for peaceful protest or supporting the political opposition, HRW said Pakistan should respect the due process rights of all those detained.
“The Pakistani authorities should end their arbitrary arrests of political opposition activists and peaceful protesters,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Anyone committing violence should be appropriately charged and their due process rights respected.”
 has urged Pakistani authorities to end "arbitrary" arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters in connection with the violent protests that erupted following the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan on May 9.){kind=link}