The arrest comes amid reports of an ongoing crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in the district. A video circulating on social media showed police taking the lawmaker into custody before leaving the scene.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement explaining the reasons for Shah’s arrest. Details of any cases registered against him and information about his current whereabouts also remain unclear.
The PTI strongly condemned the arrest, accusing the federal government, which it referred to as the “Form 47 government”, of undermining the Constitution, the rule of law and democratic principles.
In a statement issued by its Central Media Department in Islamabad, the party described the detention of an elected member of the National Assembly (MNA) as a blatant violation of constitutional and legal safeguards, an affront to the public mandate and a serious blow to democratic values.
The party alleged that, rather than protecting democratic traditions and fundamental rights, the government was pursuing a policy of targeting political opponents and suppressing dissent.
“The use of state power for political victimisation is unacceptable in any democratic society,” the statement said.
The PTI further argued that if an elected MNA could be subjected to what it described as an illegal arrest or enforced disappearance, the vulnerability of ordinary citizens and the state of their fundamental rights were even more concerning.
It maintained that taking someone into custody without fulfilling the prescribed legal requirements amounted to abduction rather than a lawful arrest.
The party called on the federal government to clarify whether constitutional supremacy and the rule of law were being upheld or state institutions were being used to target political opponents.
According to the statement, governments derive their authority from the public mandate and are responsible for safeguarding citizens’ rights rather than intimidating their political rivals.
The PTI asserted that such measures would not silence the public or suppress political opposition, adding that treating dissent as a criminal offence and detaining elected representatives unlawfully weakened democratic institutions.
It also said the government could not escape its constitutional and legal responsibilities or portray itself as being above the law.
The party demanded the immediate disclosure of the legal grounds for Shah’s arrest and his current whereabouts. It also called for him to be presented before a court in accordance with the law and released without delay if his detention was found to be unlawful.
Furthermore, the PTI urged authorities to identify those responsible for the alleged illegal detention and take action against them under the law.
Warning against the use of coercion and political victimisation, the party said such practices could neither strengthen democracy nor undermine the public mandate.
It reiterated that upholding the Constitution, protecting civil liberties and respecting elected representatives were fundamental obligations of the government.
