TOBA TEK SINGH: Faisalabad District and Sessions Judge Javedul Hasan Chishti, having powers of duty judge of anti-terrorism court, directed the leaders of opposition in National Assembly and Senate Omar Ayub and Syed Shibli Faraz, respectively to join the investigation with Civil Lines police in May 9 cases for their alleged involvement in riots in Faisalabad.

Both the opposition leaders were present in the court on Saturday for hearing of the case and they assured the court they were ready to join the probe. At this, the officer in charge of the investigation registered their attendance and questioned them about the charges levelled against them in the FIR.

Later, talking to the media Omar Ayub said it’s strange that we were being asked to apologise although our own 15 young activists were martyred in the so-called May 9 chaos.

“Hundreds of PTI workers and leaders are facing suppression of the law enforcement agencies and those involved in excesses committed against PTI activists should seek apology from us instead of asking us to apologise to them,” he said.

Mr Ayub expressed shock that he had been indicted in 10 cases of riots on the same day and posed a question to the authorities how he had reached 10 cities the same day to take part in the so-called riots.

Replying to a question, he said Sher Afzal Marwat had been issued show cause notice by him on the party chairman’s direction over his irresponsible statements against the party policies and he had been asked to reply within three days.

After three days, he added, the party’s political committee would look into the matter; however, so far no decision had been made to get resignation from him.

He acknowledged the services of Marwat, saying that the final decision rested with the party founder Imran Khan.

Mr Ayub said so far no talks had been held with the Jamaat-i-Islami regarding the opposition alliance’s movement but expressed hope that the JI’s new emir would decide to support the alliance.

He said the incumbent government had failed to deliver and it would not last long as the ruling parties were unable to run the country.

He said the nation knew that Rs350bn had been misappropriated in the name of import of wheat when Mohsin Naqvi, the current interior minister, was the Punjab chief minister and Anwarul Haq Kakar was the caretaker prime minister. He alleged that the PML-N leaders were also involved in the wheat scam.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2024