‘We are inches away from full-fledged civil unrest’, says Fawad

As violence broke out in Punjab Assembly between opposition and treasury benches on Saturday, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry warned that the country was heading towards civil unrest.

Amid chaotic scenes, the Punjab police entered provincial assembly as lawmakers belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) roughed up the acting speaker, Dost Muhammad Mazari, forcing him to retire to his chamber.

“We are inches away from full fledge Civil unrest, Imran Khan has exercised utmost restraint very soon even he won’t be able to stop this very angry mob and we will see country plunging into a civil unrest,” said Fawad while referring to the situation in the PA.

Calling his opponents ‘imported leaders’, Fawad said they will not be able to leave the country.

In another tweet, the former information minister said the ongoing political turmoil in the country is linked to Supreme Court’s “failure” to decide the case regarding the fate of rebel lawmakers.

Another PTI leader Farrukh also concurred with Fawad’s statement, saying had the presidential reference regarding the interpretation of Article 63-A been interpreted, the Punjab Assembly would not have witnessed such scenes.

“These are just a few MPAs, imagine if the awam [public] goes out of control and takes the matter in their own hands… only solution to calm this civil unrest is ELECTIONS. Let the people decide their own fate. CALL ELECTIONS!,” said PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack on Punjab Assembly deputy speaker, saying “this blatant display of violence & hooliganism is fascism, pure & simple”.

Former premier Imran Khan's “desperation & incitement to violence is rupturing our society. He is attacking democracy itself,” PM Shehbaz added.

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal blamed PTI Chairman Imran for trying to create anarchy in the country at all levels.

“The display of vandalism, hooliganism & violence in Punjab Assembly by PTI & Q League MPAs to block election of Chief Minister is most condemnable. Imran is proving that he is Hitler’s disciple but will be stopped,” he added.

“Attack on deputy speaker Punjab is not only an attack on the Punjab assembly, it’s an attack on our courts who had ruled he conduct elections today, an attack on our democracy, an attack on our constitution, an attack on our federation and an attack on the people of South Punjab,” said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Senior journalist Fahd Hussain said some irresponsible politicians are deliberately suggesting Pakistan heading towards civil war. “They are wrong. The state must enforce its law & take to task those who violate it. No party, or person, should be able to hold a state & its citizens hostage,” he said in a tweet.