The entire fiasco created by the arrest and subsequent release of Captain retired Safdar was unnecessary and completely uncalled for. It has created chaos and resentment and now state institutions that have blaming each other for the incident.
The circumstances surrounding his arrest were rather bizarre. Maryam Nawaz paid a visit to the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam where her spouse Safdar crossed the metal barrier surrounding the founding father’s grave and raised political slogans. With hours a case was registered and the police were pressurized to act overnight before he left back for Lahore.
The next day was replete with action as the police reportedly broke into a hotel and arrested him. He was charged with violating the sanctity of the tomb, a punishable offence. Just a day earlier, a rally of the opposition-led PDM was held where Maryam chided the prime minister and lashed at state institutions. The local leadership of the PTI was pleased and may have decided to seek retribution by lodging a case against him.
The situation got more intense when it was revealed that IG Sindh was coerced, rather kidnapped, in ordering the arrest. This was certainly the hand of a higher authority and all blame went on the federal government. The bigger question remained whether the Centre can influence the provincial police chief let alone held against his will. The Sindh government distanced itself and has not commented much on the incident.
Before the dust could have settled, Safdar was released on bail. All this happened within just a matter of a day. No questions were raised if the judiciary was also coerced in ordering his release. Is it because violating the sanctity of the mosque is a lesser offence? Safdar has several cases including sedition and attacking NAB’s office but still managed to secure. Is swift bail only for elites while ordinary people keep languishing in prisons and courthouses seeking justice?
While Safdar managed to fly back to Lahore, the Sindh Police have refused to remain silent and all senior police officers have applied for leave as a mark of protest. The matter has reached the top corridors of power and even the army chief has ordered an inquiry. The incident has blown out of epic proportion and all this could have avoided easily avoided, yet it is not completed over.
