US expresses concern over PTI leaders’ arrest

United States State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller held a press briefing in Washington today expressing “concerns” over the arrest of opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders while urging the government to respect human rights and democratic principles.

“We have seen the reports of the arrests of PTI leaders. We are always concerned when we see arrests of opposition leaders,” stated the spokesperson.

His remarks came after the recent arrest of PTI’s information secretary Raoof Hasan, for allegedly heading a “digital media cell responsible for international propaganda against the state of Pakistan.”

Raoof Hasan was taken into custody by Islamabad Police on Monday from the PTI’s Central Secretariat in Islamabad while the police also seized some computers from the place.

Geo News reported that charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) have been filed against 12 PTI workers, including Hasan.