Court issues arrest warrants for Ataullah Tarar, 11 other PML-N leaders in relation to a ruckus created at Punjab Assembly on 16th April
LAHORE, August 19 (SABAH): A judicial magistrate on Friday issued the arrest warrants for a dozen Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, including prime minister’s special assistant on anti-narcotics Ataullah Tarar Advocate, in relation to a ruckus created at the Punjab Assembly on 16th April 2022.
A case was registered against the PML-N leaders over the ruckus which took place in April during the chief minister’s election — when Mian Hamza Shahbaz Sharif was elected to the top office on 16th April 2022.
During Friday’s hearing, police station Qila Gujjar’s investigation officer appeared before Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Mudassir Hayat, where he sought the issuance of arrest warrants for the PML-N leaders.
The police officer told the judge that despite a case being registered against them, the PML-N leaders have knowingly refused to show up for the investigation. The judge then approved the arrest warrants of the politicians.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Attaullah Tarar, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Muhammad Mirza Javed, Malik Saiful Malook Khokhar, Peer Khizer Hayat Shah Khagga, Raja Sagheer Ahmed, Mian Abdul Rauf, Pir Muhammad Ashraf Rasool, Bilal Farooq Tarar, Rana Mannan Khan and Malik Ghulam Habib Awan.
In response, former chief minister Hamza Shahbaz condemned the arrest warrants and said that the raids conducted by the police at the residence of the PML-N leaders depicted a “dictatorial” mindset.
“This fascist government cannot break the spirit of the Muslim League through their mischievous actions. The police raids at Mashood’s home violated the privacy of his house,” the PML-N leader said.
He said that the Punjab government is using the police for revenge, adding that PTI Chairman Imran Khan is using the provincial government to harass the PML-N leadership.
“I applaud the courage of those who faced oppression and abuse for [nearly four] years. I was kept behind bars for 1.5 years in a political case,” he added.