Govt warns PTI against unrest

Tensions rise in PA over arrests of opposition lawmakers

LAHORE:

The Punjab Assembly saw heated exchanges between Treasury and Opposition lawmakers over PTI's planned protest in Islamabad on October 15 and the handling of protestors by law enforcement. The Treasury urged PTI to postpone its protest to avoid disrupting the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference, while threatening strong actions against any efforts to sabotage the event.

During the session, provincial minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman warned PTI leaders that any attempt to create unrest during the conference would be met with an "iron hand."

He also hinted at confining PTI's leadership to their homes if they did not cancel the protest, suggesting severe consequences for any public disturbances.

The session became contentious when Opposition lawmakers, including PTI's Rana Aftab Ahmad and Sardar Shahabuddin Khan, challenged the government on police actions taken against peaceful protestors.

They criticised the arrests and alleged maltreatment of PTI supporters and demanded explanations for raids on their homes.

Rana Aftab even offered to resign if any proof of violent conduct was found against him, but decried the disrespect shown to his family during the police raids.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan echoed the concerns, emphasising that no MPA should be humiliated or arrested without proper legal pro-cedures.

He called for strict adherence to protocols, warning that the Assembly would not tolerate such misconduct.

In a tense back-and-forth, Rehman insisted that police had been instructed to seek approval before arresting any MPAs. However, he remained firm on the government's stance against PTI's protest, calling it a threat to national stability during the OIC conference.