Pakistani senior journalist and anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan was arrested from Islamabad Toll Plaza last night.
It happened despite disregarding the fact that a court has already granted him a pre-arrest bail after over a dozen FIRs were been registered against him on charges as serious as abetment of mutiny and criticism of the state institutions.
According to the allegations, the anchor’s actions were a serious crime and a breach of the Constitution because they offended Pakistani citizens’ feelings. Now outraged social media users have reacted to the arrest and the hashtag ‘We Stand With Imran Riaz’ has been trending on social media:
Only Due To His One Statement , General Neutral #Bajwa went out of his way and done such type of activities that not only harmed the integrity of The NATION But Also The Right Of Free Speech????#WeStandWithImranRiaz#میں_بھی_عمران_ریاض_ہوں pic.twitter.com/Ife21hR9SC
— Usama Bilal (@usama_x_) July 6, 2022
Imran Riaz in Lockup.
A Brave Journalist.
Imran Riaz Chanted Slogans of Pakistan Zindabad while Making Arrest❤️Now it’s time to wake-up otherwise next will be you and me✌️ #WeStandWithImranRiaz #میں_بھی_عمران_ریاض_ہوں pic.twitter.com/sQ60wGikPn— Raja Mudasir Rehman (@RajaMudasirReh1) July 6, 2022
We strongly condemn the unjustified arrest of @ImranRiazKhan #WeStandWithImranRiaz. pic.twitter.com/2yJoTsVImF
— Haadii ???? (@theQueenDaro) July 6, 2022
And yet they arrested him just for speaking truth and he kept chanting “Pakistan Zindabad” #WeStandWithImranRiaz pic.twitter.com/ruR03vibF8
— Kafi (@Kaafffff____) July 6, 2022
If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.#WeStandWithImranRiaz#میں_بھی_عمران_ریاض_ہوں pic.twitter.com/GvrSOgwwDO
— Rahib Ali (@_RM313) July 6, 2022
This is totally unacceptable, you cant shut down his voice by taking such pathetic actions,we stand with you Imran Riaz just stay strong and keep the spirit high to Fight #قانون_سے_اوپر_کوئی_نہیں#DGISPR #WeStandWithImranRiaz#میں_بھی_عمران_ریاض_ہوں pic.twitter.com/Cdt7EnpzsE
— Syed Javaid Khan (@SJKhanPti) July 6, 2022
I will be holding a protest outside of the Pakistan High Commission in London if @ImranRiazKhan is not released. Journalism is NOT a crime! This is an undeclared martial law! WE MUST FIGHT FOR FREEDOM NOW! #WeStandWithImranRiaz #PakistanUnderFascism
— Shayan Ali (@ShayanA2307) July 5, 2022
I am seeing that there will be some great revolutionary changes in near future in Pak.The dirty politics of some politicians and some generals will be vanished forever.#Bajwa#WeStandWithImranRiaz#میں_بھی_عمران_ریاض_ہوں pic.twitter.com/7mYAqKYjnC
— Aun Muhammad Baltistani (@Aunibaltistani) July 5, 2022
I got emotional watching this video.
You will not find a better example of loyalty to Pakistan.♥️
Imran Riaz chanted slogans of Pakistan Zindaabad while making arrest.✌️
Shame on neutrals.
Hamid Mir #WeStandWithImranRiaz#میں_بھی_عمران_ریاض_ہوں#Bajwa Islamabad Toll Plaza pic.twitter.com/vPuIyFI8kq— Waqas Akhter ???? (@waqasakhter077) July 5, 2022
These words and visuals will haunt many for a long time! InshAllah!#WeStandWithImranRiaz #PakistanUnderFascism pic.twitter.com/EHaq33bBxo
— Safdar Ali Khan (@khansafdarali) July 5, 2022
