Parliamentarian Jamshed Dasti, who was arrested earlier this month, has complained of severe torture and starvation inside the prison, asking the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice of his ordeal.
In a video which went viral on social media on Thursday, Dasti pleaded for help through the grilled windows of a prison vehicle.
The chairman of the Pakistan Awami Raj party, was arrested for allegedly instigating people to open the sluice gate at Kalu headworks channel to release water in Dinga minor (Muzaffargarh canal).
Irrigation officials had warned the MNA against opening the gate that had been closed for many months due to litigation. However, Dasti stated that he released water to facilitate farmers who had been complaining of water shortage.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan criticised the government for resorting to ‘dictatorial’ tactics regime in handling Dasti’s case.
“Those shedding tears on appearance before the joint investigation team (JIT) investigating the Panamagate case] shamelessly use force on [political] rivals,” Imran said in a statement.
“The members of Sharif family involved in crimes of heinous nature raise a hue and cry when they appear before the JIT,” he added.
Imran said “use of violence on Jamshed Dasti behind bars is atrocious and shameless.”
The PTI chairman went on to add that Sharif brothers during their tenure were using the tools of dictatorship. “Zia, the mentor and guardian of Sharifs, used force on his political rivals in the same way.” he said.
The Sharif brothers, he continued, should not think they will not be accountable for their act of tyranny.
Imran demanded that torture on Dasti be stopped forthwith and measures be taken for his release.
