Babar Sohail Butt. PHOTO: FILE
In the Punjab Assembly session on Thursday, the minister was responding to the call-attention notice of PPP legislator Faiza Ahmed Malik who sought details of the investigation into the murder case.
“If any evidence relating to his [Sohail] involvement is found, he will be arrested. However, if there is nothing to implicate him, he will not be arrested and there is no need for the MNA to get bail orders [from the court],” Sanaullah said.
The law minister told the house that the case was being politicised and certain misperceptions were created.
He said the content of the FIR stated that the assailants killed Babar on the orders of Sohail Shaukat Butt and others. However, he asserted the facts would only be determined once the suspects are arrested and interrogated.
Faiza questioned the failure to arrest and investigate the PML-N MNA despite the latter being nominated in the case. Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, responding to her query, said his arrest would be at the discretion of the investigation officer of the case. He added if MNA Sohail was guilty, he would certainly be investigated.
Sanaullah said the MNA recorded his statement during investigation and denied any connection with the assailants. Police officials are investigating the matter further.
Pre-budget speeches
Several legislators gave pre-budget speeches, raising different issues related to education, health, clean water, pollution, agriculture, sewerage and road infrastructure. Minority MPAs demanded an increase in their budget and fair distribution.
PML-N’s Mehwish Sultana, while giving her proposals, suggested that Malot Fort, Nandana Fort, Kusak Fort, Katas Raj Temple and Gadhala Garden be renovated to attract tourists, Hindus and Sikhs.
Minster for Finance Aisha Ghaus Pasha, concluding her pre-budget speech, claimed the upcoming allocation would be pro-people and it will help improve standard of living.
She said around 84 legislators participated in the pre-budget speech and their suggestions will be sent to the relevant departments. Aisha added those suggestions which will help achieve Punjab’s growth strategy will be accommodated.
She vowed to act upon opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed’s suggestion to activate standing committees to prepare the budget. She added those who are paying taxes will not be burdened, but rather those are not.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2017.
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