ISLAMABAD: As Christians celebrated Christmas on Tuesday in Pakistan with zeal and zest, the country’s top political leadership extended their good wishes to the community and vowed to provide equal rights and opportunities to all citizens.
Authorities, on their part, deployed additional law enforcement personnel to ensure tighter security for the occasion.
President Arif Alvi in his message extended his “warmest greetings” to the community in a statement released by his office. “Much more than festivity and celebration, the spirit of Christmas is to share, to reach out, and to love all humanity,” it read.
He commended the sincere efforts of the Christian community toward the socio-economic development of the country. “I also take this opportunity to pay a rich tribute to the sacrifices made by our Christian brethren in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism,” he said.
In his message, President Alvi added that the government of Pakistan upholds the principle of equal rights and freedom for all its citizens irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.
“We are committed to building a society that respects differences and finds strength in diversity; a nation that is tolerant and cohesive; and a state that provides equal rights and opportunities to all citizens,” he said, adding that “our Christian brethren are an integral part of our multicultural polity; and together we are building a strong and prosperous Pakistan, for ourselves and our children.”
President Alvi lauds Christian community’s sacrifices for Pakistan
President Alvi lauds Christian community’s sacrifices for Pakistan
- Vows to build a society that respects differences and celebrates diversity
- Authorities deploy additional law enforcement personnel for tighter security around Christmas
Pakistani YouTuber ‘Ducky Bhai’ alleges custodial torture, pledges to accept gambling case ruling
- Saadur Rehman in hour-long video accuses NCCIA officers of inflicting mental and physical torture during his custody
- ’Ducky Bhai’ was arrested in August at the Lahore airport on charges of promoting online gambling, betting applications
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as “Ducky Bhai,” on Sunday accused the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) of mental and physical torture after his arrest earlier this year on charges of promoting gambling and betting applications.
He made the accusations in an hour-long video on his YouTube channel, his first after being granted bail last month, in which he gave a detailed account of his interrogation in custody.
Rehman was arrested by NCCIA in August from the Lahore airport while he was trying to travel to Malaysia to attend an event on invitation. He was granted bail by the Lahore High Court on Nov. 25 but was not released from custody immediately.
“I don’t want anyone to think that the purpose of this video is to offer any justification for the FIR [first information report] that has been filed against me,” Rehman said in a YouTube video posted on his channel. “I am simply here to apologize.
If any of my content has had a negative impact to date, I apologize for that.”
He said he was going to accept the court verdict in the case.
“Let the court handle this matter legally. I am ready to fully cooperate with the courts and am doing so,” he continued. “I will fully cooperate with the agency and accept whatever decision the judge makes in my case.”
Rehman also alleged that NCCIA Lahore Additional Director Sarfraz Chaudhry abused him verbally and physically, slapping him multiple times while questioning him about how he earned a large income.
He said Chaudhry accused him of “corrupting the minds of children,” highlighting that NCCIA officials had seized around $326,000 from his Binance account, closing all his trades, converting his cryptocurrency into US dollars and transferring the funds.
It is pertinent to mention that Chaudhry was removed from his post in September following multiple controversies involving him, Rehman’s family and online gambling.
In October, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested six NCCIA personnel on allegations of misusing their authority and taking bribes.
The complaint in the case was filed against nine persons including eight NCCIA personnel, with the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle in Lahore, following a complaint by Rehman’s wife, Aroob Jatoi.
Rehman is one of Pakistan’s most popular YouTubers. He has uploaded over 750 videos on the video-sharing platform and has amassed over 8.38 million subscribers.
He was also booked by Pakistan’s Motorway Police this year in April for performing dangerous stunts while driving.
