Some journalists condemn arrest of Ahsan Iqbal

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 23 December 2019

The arrest of Ahsan Iqbal by NAB prompted a backlash from journalists on Twitter, who argue it is politically motivated. Several noted that such actions reflect a wider issue of targeting opposition figures in Pakistan.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Journalists took to Twitter to condemn the arrest of PMLN leader Ahsan Iqbal by NAB in a graft case on Monday, terming it a political vendetta.

Former Dawn Editor Abbas Nasir said: “This vendetta-driven government will self-destruct in its bloodlust.”

Cyril Almeida, formerly of Dawn, thought the former interior minister has had to pay the price for managing the Faizabad sit-in and keeping CPEC in civilian hands. “In the bloody end to the Faizabad dharna was not hard to find an element of a vendetta against Ahsan, who directed the police against the protesters as interior minister after earlier keeping close civilian possession of Cpec as Planning chief..”

Tahir Malik, in a tweet in Urdu, said one could differ with Ahsan Iqbal but he is an educated leader from the middle class with no charges of corruption. He termed the arrest political revenge.

In a left-hand compliment, Sami Abraham said that NAB has finally given the cup of poison to “Aristotle” but added that PMLN should not worry as the poison is fake.

Talat Hussain, previously of Geo News, however, linked the arrest with the PMLN’s refusal to accept the nomination of Election Commission of Pakistan’s secretary, Babar Yaqoob, as its commissioner.

Talat termed the ECP secretary a lackey of PTI leader Jehangir Tareen. His tweet in Urdu said the government now has no shame in openly targeting political opponents.

Tariq Butt of The News thought anybody slightly targeting the PTI government would have to face NAB. “Any PML-N leader, who will speak against IK govt n others even in a mild tone, will have to face NAB's Ihtesab.”

Photo courtesy: The News

KEY POINTS:

• Ahsan Iqbal arrested by NAB in a graft case.
• Journalists decry the arrest as politically motivated.
• Critics link the arrest to the government's vendetta against political opposition.
• Concerns raised over the implications for democracy.
• Comments highlight risks for any dissent against the ruling party.