Dispelling the impression that the arrest of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference was an act of political victimization, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Sunday that everybody had the right to defend himself or herself in courts, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In an interview to the BBC, she said that the former prime minister had sold state gifts. 

Calling PTI chairman ‘mastermind’ of incidents of violence on May 9, Marriyum said action was being taken against those involved in these incidents as per law.

She further said that former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif attended 150 court hearings. “Nawaz had answered all the allegations levelled against him,” she claimed.

The information minister said that one could not always keep the people in dark about his crimes.

Referring to Imran, she said he could not get away by hurling threats at judiciary and the law-enforcement agencies.

Marriyum went on to say that when the police went to Zaman Park residence of the PTI chairman, his workers tossed petrol bombs at the cops.

She said whenever Imran was asked about the country’s poor economy, he shifted the blame on the government. 

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb had said, “The government had not arrested Imran. Only court’s verdict in the Toshakhana reference was implemented.”

The minister said that investigation into PTI chairman’s crimes had been going on for over one year. “And out of total 40 hearings in the Toshakhana case, PTI chairman appeared only thrice.

“All legal requirements have been met and after the trial is over, the court has given its verdict. His theft has been proved,” she said.

The minister read out the court verdict which said, “It has been successfully proven that the accused has committed offense of corrupt practices by making and publishing false statements and submitted false and incorrect declarations and material in particular related to Form B of the year 2021″.

The minister said all thieves arrested in various cases also had the right to vote, so should they all be released before elections?

She said that Imran, despite having been given ample opportunities to provide proofs, had failed to satisfy the courts.

“And whenever, he was asked to reply to the allegations of corruption, he incited the PTI workers to attack national institutions,” she said.