Pakistan
Police release JUI-F MNAs, Ansar-ul-Islam workers after nationwide protests
Islamabad police released JUI-F MNA’s Maulana Jamaluddin, Salahuddin Ayubi and other party workers on bail bonds and personal guarantees
Islamabad: Islamabad police released two Jamait Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) lawmakers and workers of Ansarul Islam who were detained during a police operation inside the Parliament Lodges in the wee hours of Friday.
According to details, the Islamabad police stormed the Parliament Lodges and arrested member Jamiat JUI-F MNA Salahuddin Ayubi and several others last night.
Following the arrest of party workers and parliamentarians, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had called a countrywide protest and instructed party workers to stage a demonstration.
"If I am arrested, there will be strong resistance. Our workers responded to our voice in a few moments," he said, adding the entire country would be closed if paryu workers were not released as of 9am tomorrow (March 11).
"The rulers themselves are the biggest miscreants," Fazlur alleged.
"Our MNAs were injured and dragged away. Shame on those who accuse workers of terrorism," the JUI-F chief said.
The chief of oppositions’ alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) told reporters in late hours on Friday that the entire country was jammed at the moment.
However, the police released JUI-F MNA’s Maulana Jamaluddin, Salahuddin Ayubi and other party workers on bail bonds and personal guarantees.
Several parliamentarians of the PPP and PML-N were also present in the lodges at the time of the lodge, while JUI's Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also reached the venue.
Media personnel were directed to leave the lodges. During a scuffle between police and Ayubi’s staff at Parliament lodges, PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique was injured.
Senator Kamran Murtaza was also injured in police operation.
Private militia not allowed: Rasheed
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said according to the constitution, no private militia is allowed and MNA Jamaluddin and Salahuddin are sitting in the police station willingly, no one arrested them.
Addressing a press conference at Lal Haveli, Sheikh Rashid said that those who are paving the roads will also be jammed.
“Please do not take the law into your own hands. The law will take action against the violators,” he added. Regarding Parliament Lodges’ action, the minister said that 19-member of a private militia have been arrested, while several fled after changing clothes.
He also mentioned that the opposition has stormed federal lodges as it has failed to get the required majority for the no-confidence motion.
Sheikh Rashid said that the no-confidence motion has failed and the opposition cannot complete the magical number of 172 MNAs to impeach Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“The opposition needs an excuse to flee”.
While offering Rangers and FC security to the opposition and announced stern action against those who resorted to violence.
“The army has said that we have nothing to do with politics. I’m ready to give you Rangers, FC security and vehicles, don’t complain about being short of numbers in the end,” he maintained.
He further said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is perusing the independent foreign policy despite difficulties.