PML-N demands Shahbaz be allowed to attend NA session, warns of protests otherwise

Published October 8, 2018
If our demand is not met, then from Wednesday we will stage protests outside the NA and Punjab Assembly: Rana Sanaullah. —DawnNewsTV
If our demand is not met, then from Wednesday we will stage protests outside the NA and Punjab Assembly: Rana Sanaullah. —DawnNewsTV

PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah on Monday demanded that Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif, who is currently in the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) custody, should be brought to parliament so he can present his case before the people of the country.

Sharif has been arrested on the charge that he tried to influence the transfer of a contract for the Ashiana Housing Scheme from one contractor to another.

“The truth is that the said contract was cancelled on the recommendation of the then provincial finance secretary,” Sanaullah claimed.

“The actual reason behind Shahbaz’s arrest was to carry out 'political victimisation’ to affect the outcome of the October 14 by-polls,” claimed Sanaullah.

Talking to media following the PML-N’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting in Lahore, Sanaullah announced the PML-N will submit requisitions for sessions of the National Assembly and the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday (tomorrow).

“If our demand is not met, then from Wednesday we will stage protests outside the respective assemblies,” he said.

The PML-N leader accused the PTI government of implementing "anti-people policies" since coming into power.

He warned the incumbent government that if it doesn’t take their protest seriously, the PML-N will extend its agitation.

The decision to hold the CEC meeting had been taken by the party leadership a day after an accountability court in Lahore remanded PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif to 10-day custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for an investigation into the Rs14 billion Ashiyana-i-Iqbal housing project 'scam'.

Nawaz Sharif chaired the formal party meeting after a gap of over four months — including the two months he spent in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired Capt Mohammad Safdar following their conviction in the Avenfield properties reference.

According to PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, the meeting was convened to discuss the situation after the arrest of Shahbaz Sharif by NAB and devise the party’s future strategy.

Aurangzeb said the party believed that Shahbaz Sharif had been arrested as part of the ongoing policy of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to victimise its political opponents.

“Shahbaz Sharif’s arrest just before by-elections is unacceptable,” she said. “Such actions will no more be tolerated.”

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...