RAWALPINDI: A high-level investigation has been initiated into the detention of a Punjab Assembly member during the recent PTI protest in Rawalpindi without the speaker’s consent.

Sources said that MPA Tanveer Aslam elected from PP-19 was arrested in two cases of terrorism and violation of Section 144 during the protest on September 28 and 29.

After showing the arrest of the MPA, it has been recommended to Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar that the speaker of the provincial assembly be informed through the home department about it.

Following the arrest of the MPA, City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani expressed his displeasure saying that prior to arrest of any MPA or MNA the speaker’s consent was to be obtained.

It was said that before the arrest or detention of any member of the National Assembly or Provincial Assembly, the approval of the speaker concerned should be taken, but in the cases registered on 28/29 September the investigating officers of Rawal Division did not follow the directive.

The CPO directed the SP Rawal Division to initiate an inquiry into the negligence, fix responsibility and send him a report.

The Punjab government and the speakers of the national and provincial assemblies had already issued orders in this regard.

Likewise, the letter warned that strict departmental action will be taken against the persons responsible in case of non-compliance.

A detailed report by the CPO Rawalpindi had also been sent to the IGP in which it was said that the PTI protested in Rawalpindi on September 28/29 under the leadership of local leaders despite the imposition of Section 144.

The police, therefore, took action and arrested some of the protesters on the spot and in the jurisdiction of the Police Station City and Police Station Waris Khan. The cases were registered under Anti-Terrorism Act and other sections of the law.

After registration of cases, interrogation of the arrested protesters was carried out during which it was revealed that MPA Tanveer Aslam had also been arrested.

In the report sent to IGP, CPO Khalid Hamdani stated that the MPA had been arrested in two cases.

It is recalled that even after the protests on September 28/29 and October 4/5, cases had been registered in various police stations of Rawalpindi.

In some cases, including PTI’s founder Imran Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and the party’s local leadership along with current and former members of the assembly had also been nominated.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2024