LAHORE/VEHARI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former MPA Ejaz Sultan Bandesha was taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) upon his return from Umrah at Lahore Airport. He was handcuffed and later handed over to Punjab Police under tight security.
Bandesha remained in detention for around six hours. Later, Vehari Police confirmed in a report that he was only nominated in a single case for which he already had pre-arrest bail. He was released shortly after.
Speaking to reporters after his release, Bandesha accused his political opponents of using false cases and underhanded tactics to pressure him to abandon his party leader. He vowed to stay loyal and said his leader was suffering only to protect the rights of the country’s poor and voiceless.
“I will fight this battle legally and publicly. I urge our workers not to be afraid and to defend our narrative with even greater resolve. Handcuffs and jail cells cannot stop our movement for truth,” he said. He also warned opponents against acts of injustice, saying they may face similar consequences in the future.
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Several PTI leaders condemned the arrest, including former MNA Tahir Iqbal Chaudhry, ex-Vehari Bar presidents Rana Muhammad Sajid and Babar Manzoor Dogal, Advocate Saima Noreen and others. They termed the incident an act of political revenge and labelled it “fascist” and “desperate.”
