MPs' arrests: PTI seeks identity of ‘masked men' as govt pledges 'conditional action'

• Ali asks if PM will resign if someone else ordered MPs' arrests.
  
• Says PTI fighting for parliament's sanctity, which was "violated".
• Sanaullah vows action if arrests from parliament premises proved.
  

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday sought the identity of the "masked men" who allegedly whisked away its lawmakers from the premises of Parliament House on Monday, with the government pledging to take action only if the opposition party proved its allegations.

At least nine parliamentarians from the party of the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan were remanded in physical custody under a new public gathering law — Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024 — following its Islamabad rally on Sunday.

A number of cases were filed against PTI leaders, which also include the reported attack on police at Chongi No 26 — which turned into a battleground as PTI workers and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) clashed after the formers deviated routes leading to Sangjani, venue of public gathering.

Speaking on the Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, PTI lawmaker Ali Muhammad Khan — while responding to a question regarding explosive speeches furnished at the party's Sunday power show — recalled that PML-N President had launched a broadside against his party and establishment after his ouster from power in 2017.

Recalling his imprisonment following the May 9 riots, the PTI MNA said he fought his "battle" in the court and was acquitted in every case, saying that today, the former ruling party was fighting for the sanctity of the parliament “which was violated a day earlier”.

Ali Muhammad further said that he, while speaking on the National Assembly floor, had asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to constitute a judicial commission to probe the attack on Jinnah House, also known as Corps Commander House, Lahore.

“It didn’t even happen in a martial law that parliamentarians were picked up from within the premises [of Parliament House],” he added, demanding the government to identify those who arrested the lawmakers.

“Will PM Shehbaz Sharif resign if the attack was not carried out on his orders,” he questioned hinting at a third party's involvement in the arrests.

In response to a question regarding dialogue, the PTI lawmaker said the government did not show its “seriousness” in holding negotiations.

Responding to Ali Muhammad's remarks, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah quoted Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Nasir Ali Rizvi as saying that the parliamentarians were detained outside the Parliament House.

“The situation will be cleared after the investigation, launched by NA [National Assembly] Speaker Ayaz Sadiq,” the PML-N leader said.

Moreover, he pledged that the government would take relevant action if the allegations regarding the arrest within parliament’s premises were proven.

He also criticised the PTI leadership for “staying in the parliament building” till midnight and defending the inappropriate remarks of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

PTI firebrand politician Gandapur, who usually made headlines due to his fiery statements, passed indecent remarks not only against his political opponents but also against journalists during the embattled party’s major political event yesterday.

Hurling insults at the newsmen, the KP CM had alleged that a group of journalists were “campaigning against the PTI” besides vowing to “confront” them and asked the party workers to identify and expose them.

Meanwhile, Sanaullah — while responding to a question — said that the NA speaker was the custodian of the house and it was his prerogative to take action.

Calling the detained lawmakers' main witness, the PM’s aide said that they would tell “who arrested them [PTI lawmakers] and from where”. “The onus is on them to prove the allegations about black pickup trucks.”