Punjab govt strike is 'revolt against state': Aitzaz Ahsan

PPP leader accuses Punjab CM of provoking bureaucrats to protest after Ahad Cheema's arrest

Senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader accuses Punjab CM of provoking bureaucrats to protest after Ahad Cheema's arrest

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aitzaz Ahsan slammed the Punjab Government, terming its strike a "revolt against the state".

The PPP leader's comments come after the Punjab Government shut down owing to protests following the arrest of former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general Ahad Khan Cheema by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

While talking to the media on Sunday in Lahore, Ahsan said Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif a "leader of thieves", saying he is "not only a favourite but a spoiled favourite".

Cheema’s promotion becomes talking point in Punjab Assembly

Ahsan said it is the second time in the history of Pakistan where bureaucrats have gone on a strike.

"The first time it happened was in 1972 when the Punjab police observed a strike," he said, adding the current situation in the civil government is synonymous to a mutiny.

"The Punjab and federal governments are both part of this (strike)," Ahsan said.


The PPP leader speculated that the Punjab civil servants and officers have gone on strike following the CM's order.

"He needed to issue a show-cause notice to Ahad Cheema and register cases against those observing the strike but it wasn't done," he said.

Ahad Cheema arrest: Rangers guard NAB Lahore amid security concerns

According to Express News, following Cheema's arrest, bureaucrats in Punjab Government broke into protests, raising security concerns.

The Rangers checked security of the NAB Lahore office building in Thokar Niaz Beg and examined the security points. After reviewing the area, the Rangers personnel were deployed outside the NAB office. More are expected to join them.

Following protests, a high-level delegation of bureaucrats met CM Shehbaz and presented a charter of demands. In the aftermath of the protests, the government offices all over Punjab remain closed.

The former LDA official was arrested on Wednesday over allegations of involvement in the Ashiyana Housing Society scam. An accountability court allowed NAB to keep Cheema in an 11-day physical remand, till March 5.
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