‘Riot’ as PML-N tries to ‘symbolically’ open Karachi project

KARACHI:

Former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal and other PML-N members on Thursday gathered in Karachi's Nazimabad No 7 to perform a symbolic inauguration of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit project, only to be stopped by Rangers from proceeding further, drawing severe criticism from party president Shehbaz Sharif, who accused the paramilitary force of “brutally torturing” the leaders.

Ahsan, accompanied by other PML-N leaders including Muhammad Zubair, Miftah Ismail, Sorath Thebo, Ali Akbar Gujjar, Perveen Bashir and Nehal Hashmi as well as activists, had reached the site of the project for a symbolic inauguration, a day before the prime minister is expected to inaugurate the transport service.

The PML-N leaders and activists tried to reach Nazimabad No 7 Green Line track which was blocked by the administration. The PML-N leaders and activists were stopped from proceedings towards a pedestrian bridge built as part of the project.

A video of the incident shows Rangers stopping them from moving forward and the party activists chanting slogans against the PTI-led government.

Later, Ahsan, the party’s general secretary, told the media that the PML-N activists had been subjected to "state-sponsored violence" and that he had also been hit on his arms with sticks.

“We were subjected to state violence today. Political activists were beaten by security forces, injuring one activist. I'm glad our blood is involved in this inauguration. This government is taking police work from another law enforcement agency,” the PML-N leader added.

Ahsan said the State looked helpless in the face of terrorists. “They only target unarmed political activists.”

He pointed out that the Karachi Green Line project was started by the PML-N in 2016.

“The foundation of this project was laid by the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The project was to be completed in December 2018. The construction of this project was delayed because it was a PML-N project.”

Former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair said PM Imran did not need to come for the inauguration of the Green Line Bus project.

“Those who had conceived the project have already inaugurated it. Our government had established peace in Karachi.”

Another PML-N leader maintained that Ahsan was beaten with sticks twice and a leader from the party's women wing, Perveen Bashir, suffered bruises on her finger when she was hit.

He added that party leader, Sorath Thebo, also fell down and suffered injuries.

Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar rejected all claims made by Ahsan about his party's contribution to the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit service.

“The only contribution [by the PML-N] was the start of the track's construction,” the minister said following a visit to the project's operation centre.

"No work took place after that. Perhaps their plan was for commuters to travel from Surjani to Numaish," he added.

He claimed that all matters, including operations, tickets and purchase of buses, were completed by the PTI-led government.

Separately, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif condemned the alleged torture of his party representatives including Ahsan, by security personnel, urging the authorities to investigate the matter.

"On the orders of Imran Niazi, Rangers in Karachi brutally tortured party leaders and workers including Ahsan Iqbal," Shehbaz was quoted as saying on PML-N's official Twitter handle.

Terming the incident extremely sad and condemnable, Shehbaz said that his party would protest against the unfortunate incidents at all forums.

"The incident should be probed at the highest level and the perpetrators should be given punishments as per the law," he said, adding that “torture” on political workers was unacceptable.