In a recent development, Maryam Nawaz, the Senior Vice-President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, took a jibe at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf without explicitly naming it. Maryam’s mockery followed the circulation of a short video on social media featuring PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry rushing toward the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises to evade potential arrest.
Via her Twitter account, Maryam, who also serves as PML-N’s chief organizer, expressed her disbelief at the actions of the PTI. She stated, “We have always heard that political leaders and workers do not succumb to fear. They willingly surrender themselves for arrest, face imprisonment courageously, refrain from avoiding sacrifices, and endure irreparable losses.”
Maryam’s statement continued, “But for the first time in history, a revolutionary party emerged in which its leaders resorted to bizarre tactics out of fear. They covered their legs in plaster, donned buckets on their heads, sat in wheelchairs, hid in hospitals, courtrooms, and bathrooms, and even ran without their shoes.” With this remark, Maryam subtly ridiculed the PTI and its leadership.
Earlier in the day, Fawad Chaudhry had obtained bail from the IHC and was seated in his car when he noticed anti-terrorist squad personnel approaching him. Reacting swiftly, the PTI leader hastily exited his vehicle and darted into the premises of the IHC, evading the potential arrest.
Notably, the police attempted to apprehend Fawad despite his providing an undertaking to the IHC, pledging not to violate Section 144 and participate in any protests. The IHC had previously deemed the arrests of Fawad, Shireen Mazari, and Senator Falak Naz under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Ordinance (MPO) as “illegal.”
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Subsequently, Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb’s court, presiding over separate pleas, ordered the release of the PTI leaders. The court also approved Fawad’s two-day protective bail in all cases, restricting the authorities from arresting him within the federal capital until May 17.
The incident involving Fawad Chaudhry and the subsequent response from Maryam Nawaz highlight the ongoing political tensions between the PML-N and PTI in Pakistan. The video of Fawad’s attempted arrest evasion, which quickly gained traction on social media, has become a subject of public interest, sparking debates and discussions regarding the conduct of political leaders.
Maryam Nawaz’s pointed remarks mocking the PTI’s leadership, particularly Fawad Chaudhry, after a video capturing his attempt to evade arrest went viral, have added fuel to the already intense political climate in Pakistan. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing power struggles and rivalries within the country’s political landscape.