Opposition protests arrests over rallies

Treasury members stress need for order

LAHORE:

The Punjab Assembly saw a heated exchange between treasury and opposition lawmakers over the registration of numerous FIRs and the arrests of several workers during peaceful rallies demanding the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) founding chairman, Imran Khan.

This session, the third consecutive day allocated for the "general discussion on the annual budget 2024-25," had lawmakers from both sides highlighting various issues needing government attention.

As the proceedings began, SIC lawmaker Mian Ijaz Shafi expressed strong concerns over the treatment of PTI-backed SIC supporters.

He stated that peaceful rallies were met with police misconduct, resulting in dozens of new FIRs and multiple arrests.

“Are PTI supporters not citizens of Pakistan?” MPA Ijaz Shafi questioned. He emphasised that the public's support for Imran Khan could not be quashed through such measures.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman dismissed SIC’s grievances, calling them an attempt to settle political scores.

He asserted that PTI held no significance for the treasury, claiming they would keep it on the "toe of their shoes" even if it came into power.

The House echoed with slogans from SIC lawmakers, prompting Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar to warn that the state would act against anyone creating unrest.

Rehman reminded the House that Section 144 was imposed and the opposition should seek permission from local authorities before protesting.

SIC lawmaker Rana Shehbaz criticised the government, questioning the expected relief from an administration that had recently mistreated farmers.

He stressed the importance of understanding the wheat committee's findings before discussing the budget.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Salma Butt attacked the opposition, accusing PTI of slashing the province's development budget, ruining institutions, and derailing the country with flawed policies.

She praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for increasing the development budget by Rs200 billion.