Punjab law minister defends arrest of Imran Riaz Khan

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 3 years ago

LAHORE—Punjab Law Minister Malik Ahmad Khan has defended the government's decision to arrest anchorperson and vlogger Imran Riaz Khan, stating: "Everything was done under the constitution and the law."

In a press conference, the minister said freedom of expression should not be exploited. According to him, 'freedom' always comes with reasonable restrictions.

"No one is above the law," the minister said, emphasizing that 'license to kill' cannot be granted to Khan. "He will have to answer for the fishery contracts from former CM Punjab Usman Buzdar; he will have to answer for his affairs in the Buzdar government, he will have to answer for the sudden arrival of billions of rupees in his bank accounts, he will have to answer for the eight kanal bungalow in Lahore," the minister stated. He added that Khan had not disclosed the source of his income so far.

"Is there anyone in Pakistan who can talk against Islamic poets? The same constitution says to stop him under Article-19 (A) if someone does. Similarly, this article stops those who speak against the sanctity and integrity of Pakistan."

This week, Khan was arrested by the Attock police and faces multiple FIRs registered against him in different cities. He is accused of damaging the reputation of national security agencies.