PTI Response to Usman Dar's Interview

PTI Response to Usman Dar's Interview

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) statement in response to the sudden reappearance of Usman Dar, one of the PTI leaders who was a victim of enforced disappearance, in an interview on a private television channel.

This interview is like "old wine in a new bottle". After spending 24 days in the custody of "unknown" kidnappers, Usman Dar's appearance on a private TV channel undoubtedly exposes the kidnappers themselves.

Usman Dar was forcibly disappeared from Karachi on September 10th.

Statements/messages of Usman Dar's family members, including his mother and brother, are on record regarding circumstances of the enforced disappearance of Usman Dar.

During the last 5 months, the whole nation has seen police raids on Usman Dar's residence, mistreatment of his mother and other female family members, and the locks on his factory and residence.

Signs of physical and mental torture and coercion during this 24-day enforced disappearance, are evident from his trembling voice, hesitant body language, and incoherent thoughts.

The interview, given five months after the events of May 9th, following 24 days of enforced disappearance, has no significance in the eyes of the public nor does it have any legal status.

It is feared that similar tactics will be tried on our other abducted leaders, including Sadaqat Abbasi, Farrukh Habib and Sheikh Rasheed, and more such dramas will be aired.

We fully sympathize with Usman Dar and his recognize his association with the party. Chairman Imran Khan's innocence and the public support for PTI was testified to by Usman Dar himself.

Instead of staging hackneyed and outdated theatrics, the events of May 9th should be investigated by a high-level judicial commission, and elections should be held within the constitutionally mandated period of 90 days to give the people their fundamental right to vote.