Production orders for arrested PTI MNAs issued

ISLAMABAD: The National Aassembly speaker has reportedly issued production orders for the arrested members of the assembly belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

A PTI delegation, led by Barrister Gohar, met with the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in his chamber and requested him to issue the production orders for their detained MNAs. The delegation included Dawar Kundi and Ali Muhammad Khan.

Barrister Gohar pointed out that while the speaker had verbally promised to issue the orders yesterday, they had not yet been formally issued. He said that the delegation met with the speaker to collect the written production orders.

Read More: NA Speaker suspends five security officials over arrest of PTI lawmakers

Later, speaking to the media at Parliament, Barrister Gohar confirmed that National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq issued the production orders for the arrested PTI MNAs, stating that all members would be present in the House tomorrow.

PTI Was Warned Against Leaving Assembly: Bilawal

Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, said that He had warned the PTI not to quit the assembly, but it did not heed to, and now both the party and the country were suffering as a result.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Bilawal said, “Seeing our behaviour, the younger generation will lose interest in politics. We have turned politics into an insult. It is through this very politics that we must provide employment to our youth. We all have our responsibilities.”

He said that if a chief minister, in a public meeting, attacks the government and the judiciary, how can he be expected to provide jobs to the people of his province?”

Bilawal criticised the PTI leadership, stating, “The PTI founder has damaged the political atmosphere. The PTI founder has been in jail for several months. PTI should fight for him in the courts, while also serving the people in the assemblies.”

He expressed his dismay at divisive politics, saying, “I regret Akhtar Mengal’s decision to resign from the assembly.

He urged PTI to focus on Imran Khan’s case but the party should first return to the assembly and serve the people.

“How will the country move forward if the government keeps fighting and adding fuel to the fire?”

Bilawal proposed the formation of a committee comprising members of all political parties to work together and address issues.

‘Many Redlines Were Crossed at Rally’

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that police may have crossed red lines in Parliament, many such red lines were crossed during the PTI rally.

Speaking in the National Assembly, he said, “You may disagree with the cases against your leader, Imran Khan. You have the right to go to court and protest, but do not cross the red lines that challenge the integrity of the country. Do not attack democracy. In the rally, who said that Imran Khan would be released from jail within 15 days? No. You should pursue the cases in courts instead of using such a language.”

He said that political differences are the essence of democracy, and all parties should unite for the sanctity of the House.

Referring to past events, he said, “The parliament building was once occupied, and we had to enter through the back door. Leaders like Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari and his sister, and him were arrested, but “we never had our production orders issued”. “Despite this, I support issuing production orders for the arrested PTI leaders.”

He commented on the role of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, stating, “This incident followed the chief minister’s speech. When you challenge the state, threatening to bring an army of people into a province’s jail. It is like committing suicide for democracy. Our leadership, including Nawaz Sharif was jailed for 22 to 24 months. Let’s not forget that.”

Khawaja Asif also criticized the recent developments in Parliament: “Let me make it clear that the presence of police and masked individuals in Parliament is a collective disrespect. But if we condemn the presence of masked people here, we must also condemn the person who gave that speech in Islamabad, challenged the federation and the Constitution, and insulted democracy. We should also condemn the four-month sit-in outside this very House.”