Defence minister apologises for raid at Justice Nasira’s house

ISLAMABAD:

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday apologised for the raid at the residence of Justice (retd) Nasira Iqbal, saying that the government had nothing but respect for her.

The Punjab police late Monday night raided the houses of several PTI leaders and Senator Walid Iqbal — the son of the retired judge — was also among them. Reportedly, the gate of the retired judge's residence was broken during the raid.

In a video statement released after the incident, Justice (retd) Iqbal said a team of eight police officers raided the residence at 2am and broke their entrance gate.

"They just came to see whether Walid Iqbal was at home or not. Neither did they have a warrant, nor had [Walid] committed a crime. But despite this, they entered our house by force. This happens in a society where dacoits are in power," the retired judge and the daughter-in-law of the poet of the nation, Allama Iqbal, said.

In his speech during the National Assembly session, the defence minister apologised for the excessive use of force during the raid at the retired judge's residence.

The National Assembly meeting was held under the chairmanship of Raja Pervez Ashraf.

"But I want to say this with the utmost respect that condemnation should not be selective. It should be above party lines," Asif said, adding that despite Justice (retd) Nasira's son being a member of the PTI, he condemned the raid.

The defence minister added that if a political worker repeated the same language as their leader, they negated their political identity. "A political worker does not use words such as jalao gherao (vandalism)."

The defence minister's statement came as the political tensions in the country heightened after the federal cabinet decided not to let the PTI carry out its long march in order to avoid “incitement”.

Further, the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning India's prosecution of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, expressing solidarity with him.

Defence Minister Asif presented the resolution expressing solidarity with Malik.

The resolution condemned the deprivation of real leadership to the Kashmiri people by India. “This is a violation of international human rights law.”

The government urged the international community to put pressure on India to withdraw fabricated cases against Yasin Malik.

“Let India ensure Yasin’s security and welfare and let him meet his wife and 10-year-old daughter.”

The house unanimously passed the resolution.

PTI dissident Noor Alam Khan introduced a constitutional amendment bill to give overseas Pakistanis representation in parliament.

The government did not oppose the bill and referred it to the relevant committee.

Also read: Govt to stop PTI's long march: Rana Sanaullah

Romina Khurshid Alam introduced a bill for the establishment of International Institute of Arts, Science and Technology. The National Assembly unanimously approved the bill.

PML-N’s Kheal Das Kohistani introduced a bill in the house to amend the Public Service Commission Ordinance 1977.

A motion for the passage of the bill was tabled in the House due to opposition from the minister for parliamentary affairs, but the house rejected the motion to introduce the bill.

The house also rejected MNA Qadir Mandokhel’s bill seeking amendment in the Civil Services Act, 1973.

Despite opposition from the government, MNA Hussain Tariq introduced the bill.

According to the bill, if the supplementary expenditure exceeded 5%, it would be presented in parliament.

Kohistani introduced another bill to amend the Employment of Child Act, 1991.

The bill was sent to the relevant standing committee.

Abdul Qadir Mandokhel’s bill seeking amendment in the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973 was referred the bill to the relevant standing committee for further consideration.

The National Assembly session was adjourned till 4 pm on Wednesday (today).