[VIDEOS] Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly DM Mazari attacked with ‘lotas'

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Muhammad Mazari have been attacked with ‘lotas’ by members of treasury as the House is set to elect the chief minister Punjab with Hamza Shehbaz and Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in the run, ARY NEWS reported.

The deputy speaker was taken out of the provincial assembly building by police and security of the assembly.

Meanwhile, Punjab Assembly Speaker Parvez Elahi lamented entry of police inside the House and blamed IG Punjab for it. “This has not happened in the national history.”

He demanded that the IG should be summoned and be sent behind bars for one month.

Punjab Assembly session to elect new chief minister of the province will be held today as PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz are vying for the slot.

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According to sources, the session which will be headed by Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari could turn violent as the estranged members of the PTI are likely to face stiff resistance amidst their plan to vote for Hamza Shehbaz.

“The PTI has decided to resign from Punjab Assembly in case its candidate Parvez Elahi faces defeat in the poll,” they said and added, “Imran Khan has also spoken to party leaders in Punjab and coalition partners in this regard.”

Moreover, while speaking to media today, Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Muhammad Mazari said the court has directed him to conduct free and fair elections.

“I will try to hold free and fair elections and have allowed media to cover the proceedings to bring transparency,” he said.

He feared that the two sides could make an atmosphere to adjourn the session however, he would ensure that the proceedings are held smoothly and results are announced today.

He further denied any meeting with Hamza Shehbaz and said that if anyone has a proof of it then they could share it with him.

ARY

 

[bones]

I want to remain serious because it is a serious matter. But fact that the lota trend is not dying down and now grown men are throwing them around is very very funny.

 

[Rana]

I don’t really know who he is and what party he represents

But is this a classic case of PTI supporters resorting to violence?

 

[bones]

I don’t really know who he is and what party he represents

But is this a classic case of PTI supporters resorting to violence?

Not that much violence, some pushing and shoving but lots of flying lotas lol.

 

[Rana]

Not that much violence, some pushing and shoving but lots of flying lotas lol.

So it was PTI supporters inciting the violence?

 

[MenInG]

So it was PTI supporters inciting the violence?

No excuse - they were and its not right.

 

[shah_1]

Shameful

 

[bones]

More and more evidence I feel that we need a general election. A general election is the best way out of this.

 

[daytrader]

Full time zayati - country is falling into a lawless situation. This is a direct result of courts failing to uphold the laws

 

[bones]

Clearly the security needs to be ramped up. Emotions are running very high all over the country and when emotions are high then the chance of violence is high. So security needs to be ramped up and a general election needs to be called.

 

[Mamoon]

So if you leave your party and join PTI, you are not a lota but if you leave PTI to join another party, you are a lota.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers on Saturday attacked Punjab Assembly acting speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari as he arrived in the house to preside over the PA session being held to elect the chief minister.

The PTI lawmakers carrying lotas (round water containers) roughed up Mazari before the security staff of the assembly escorted him back to his chamber in protective custody. Mazari was reported to have received minor injuries as a result of the PTI MPAs' assault.

The PTI lawmakers warned that they would not let Mazari chair the PA session and would resort to strong protests if the deputy speaker tried to preside over the session.

The session has been delayed as a result of the ruckus.

Elahi blames police

After the scuffle that left the acting speaker reportedly injured, Elahi met members of local and international media at his chambers in the Punjab Assembly to clear his stance on the issue.

He blamed the scuffle on the police force accompanying Mazari for creating a ruckus in the house by allegedly assaulting the members of the government. The women lawmakers went to the dais of Mazari to "convince" him but they were assaulted by the police force deployed with the acting speaker, Elahi claimed.

He further said the PML-Q and PTI did not accept Mazari as the acting speaker despite the court orders. The Lahore High Court’s (LHC) decision to appoint Mazari as the acting speaker "usurped my powers", the PA speaker said as he expressed reservations over the decision.

Elahi said the house will also bring a privilege motion -- that carries a maximum sentence of three months -- against the Punjab Police chief over the alleged assault on the women MPAs by the police officials.

Mazari vows transparency

Hours ahead of the election for the Punjab chief minister post, Mazari had assured that the election for the CM post will be held at all costs and no one would be allowed to derail the voting.

“I am a man who does not take the pressure,” said Mazari, adding, “The election will be held today and the meaning of today is today.”

In a response to comments made by PML-Q’s Pervaiz Elahi, the acting speaker said he did not want to go into the details but he had taken an oath to ensure a fair election and he would stand by it.

“Those who wanted to disturb the process will not be allowed to derail the process at any cost,” Mazari added. “If I am biased then why did I invite the media and international observers to monitor the voting for the CM election,” Mazari asked.

Earlier, Elahi, who is contesting the CM election against PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz, expressed apprehensions over the fairness of the CM election. “The circumstances surrounding the election do not look good,” said Elahi, adding that the day will prove how unfair Mazari would turn out to be.

Meanwhile, ex-chief minister Usman Buzdar said the PTI will win the election for the CMship.

'Remove jammers'

In a statement, PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the jammers have been installed in the press gallery of the Punjab Assembly to stop the media from reporting on the CM election.

She demanded immediate removal of these jammers, saying such petty tricks should be put an end to. Marriyum said the purpose of putting up these jammers was to conceal "whatever they intended to do" in the Punjab Assembly.

She said during the previous session to elect the CM, the media was barred from the assembly and this time as well, the jammers were being installed to prevent media from reporting on the election.

The PML-N leader said just like the PTI government was sent packing from the National Assembly, the Punjab government will be sent home as well.

MPAs arrive at PA

The lawmakers belonging to the PML-N and the dissident MPAs of the PTI have arrived at the Punjab Assembly in buses led by PML-N Punjab President Hamza Shehbaz. PML-N leader Ata Tarrar claimed that the PML-N had the support of 198 lawmakers, including Kh Salman Rafique whose production order is yet to be issued.

It seems the session will not be a quiet one as some PTI lawmakers arriving at the PA to attend the session to elect the CM could be seen holding placards as well.

CM election

The Punjab Assembly is all set to conduct the provincial chief minister’s election today after the Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissed an intra-court appeal of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, seeking a member of the panel of chairpersons to preside over the election instead of Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari.

A division bench, headed by Justice Shujaat Ali Khan and comprising Justice Jawad Hassan, upheld LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti’s order allowing Mazari to conduct the election for the chief minister scheduled today.

It was the second time that Punjab Assembly Speaker Elahi and the assembly secretariat lost a legal battle against Deputy Speaker Mazari.

Earlier, Chief Justice Bhatti had ordered Mazari to preside over the session for the CM’s election under sub-article (3) of Article 130 of the Constitution. The order was passed on Mazari’s petition against Speaker Elahi, who according to him, had withdrawn his powers as an acting speaker.

As CJ Bhatti’s order came, Speaker Elahi and the assembly secretariat challenged the decision. This time, the LHC division bench heard the matter in detail.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Three members of the Punjab Assembly were arrested Saturday for attacking deputy speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari as the ruckus in the house delayed the election for the chief minister's slot.

 

[Major]

Pathetic stuff from pti, cusing rukus in punjab assembly.

If someone joins their party they are good people, if someone leaves they become lota....

 

[Major]

Full time zayati - country is falling into a lawless situation. This is a direct result of courts failing to uphold the laws

Dont say country.

Its all pti fans, supportets and mpas.

Nice try putting this on the whole country

 

[Extra_Cover]

Pervaiz Elahi (CM) candidate has broken hand in Punjab assembly today. Did PTI break his hand?

So far in the last week we have seen the following violent acts:
1. Marriott hotel where Noor Alam Khan and Khokhar beat up an elderly
2. Attack on army major in road rage from PMLN thugs
3. Pervaiz Elahi CM candidates hand broken

And here we argue PTI creates violence.

 

[MenInG]

Pervaiz Elahi (CM) candidate has broken hand in Punjab assembly today. Did PTI break his hand?

So far in the last week we have seen the following violent acts:
1. Marriott hotel where Noor Alam Khan and Khokhar beat up an elderly
2. Attack on army major in road rage from PMLN thugs
3. Pervaiz Elahi CM candidates hand broken

And here we argue PTI creates violence.

The Punjab Assembly (PA) session, which was scheduled to begin at 11:30am today to elect the new chief minister, has finally begun after chaos inside the legislature caused a delay of more than five hours and saw Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari attacked, while PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was injured.

Television footage showed a bandage wrapped around Elahi's right forearm prior to the resumption of the session.

Pervaiz Elahi alleged that PML-N MPAs "broke his hand". "During his exile, I took care of Hamza [Shehbaz] but today he showed his reality," he said.

"This is Sharif's democracy. They have crossed the limits today," Elahi added.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Dont say country.

Its all pti fans, supportets and mpas.

Nice try putting this on the whole country

Major.

You are aware of the violence being conducted by PDM guys?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

While this is amusing and well deserved there needs to be respect for parliamentary proceedings and some etiquette within parliament.

If this kind of behaviour goes unchallenged then it will eventually lead to all sorts of hooliganism within assemblies.

I think politicians will start to think twice before jumping ship, seems like the public have had enough of the lota behaviour too.

 

[Bewal Express]

Dont say country.

Its all pti fans, supportets and mpas.

Nice try putting this on the whole country

Who hit PE? Was it the PTI?

 

[Bewal Express]

Major.

You are aware of the violence being conducted by PDM guys?

That's halal

 

[Kianig89]

This is condemn able but deep inside one knows these lotas deserve this humiliation

 

[Major]

This is condemn able but deep inside one knows these lotas deserve this humiliation

The only one who got himilated was this guy

 

[Bewal Express]

The only one who got himilated was this guy

View attachment 115669

So violence is ok when you guys hit and kill people and you support it. Kisko, you are being a hypocrite again

 

[MenInG]

No more posts glorifying violence

 

[Rana]

Just saw a video of PE’s son entering the Parliament building looking for a fight. Everyone has lost their marbles!

 

[Kriketer]

Sad affairs when corrupt take charge without people's say. Country didn't bring them in hence potential lawless direction it seems to be heading towards. When chuur dakeet murderer can gang. up to overturn one man and chosen people's government then country is already in a lawless situation.

What's with the Lota though? Is PDM symbol Lota? They should consider it, suits them well

 

[Rana]

Sad affairs when corrupt take charge without people's say. Country didn't bring them in hence potential lawless direction it seems to be heading towards. When chuur dakeet murderer can gang. up to overturn one man and chosen people's government then country is already in a lawless situation.

What's with the Lota though? Is PDM symbol Lota? They should consider it, suits them well

It would be nice if the PTI supporters accept this defeat as the will of God and wait patiently, humbly until the next opportunity to win back the government.

 

[Major]

Sad affairs when corrupt take charge without people's say. Country didn't bring them in hence potential lawless direction it seems to be heading towards. When chuur dakeet murderer can gang. up to overturn one man and chosen people's government then country is already in a lawless situation.

What's with the Lota though? Is PDM symbol Lota? They should consider it, suits them well

Mazari is from pti, and he held the constitution by conducting the session.

Pti logic, if you upheld the constitution you are corrupt

 

[Kriketer]

It would be nice if the PTI supporters accept this defeat as the will of God and wait patiently, humbly until the next opportunity to win back the government.

Did the corrupt wait till next election? No they stick to their corrupt ghooskhori to unsettle democracy. Seeing Imran support one can already see this muppet placed governmemt won't last for too long, and majority of Pakistan is already satisfied that next election will throw these ganged up khandaani criminals out of the office. Turnout speak for themselves and Pakistani in general are fed up of Bhutto/Sharif criminals.

 

[Major]

Did the corrupt wait till next election? No they stick to their corrupt ghooskhori to unsettle democracy. Seeing Imran support one can already see this muppet placed governmemt won't last for too long, and majority of Pakistan is already satisfied that next election will throw these ganged up khandaani criminals out of the office. Turnout speak for themselves and Pakistani in general are fed up of Bhutto/Sharif criminals.

)

Political experts....

30percent support is now considered as the people.

The opposition has 70 percent support

 

[Kianig89]

A new low under Police CM votings took place pure Bollywood stuff where is judiciary today

 

[Kriketer]

)

Political experts....

30percent support is now considered as the people.

The opposition has 70 percent support

So which Sharif ll represent the 70%? Nawaz, Shehbaz, Hamza, Maryam? See the big joke here that you support. Seems like a next level jahalat to support such a political mockery.

I am assuming by 70% you are expecting the sincere honest PDM to stay united and Sharif clan representing the Bhutto, Diesel and other honorable members lol?

 

[Saj]

What a mess.

Surely elections is the only way forward?

 

[Technics 1210]

Can someone confirm if the lotas were made of plastic or metal?

 

[Kriketer]

Can someone confirm if the lotas were made of plastic or metal?

PDM would have preferred metal ones so they can sell them in scrap and make money out of it

 

[MenInG]

The acting speaker Punjab Assembly, Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari on Saturday suspended from service four Punjab Assembly Secretariat officials including assembly secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti for not cooperating and following his lawful directions.

Mazari suspended PA secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti, secretary coordination Inayat Ullah Lak, special secretary Amir Habib and security officer Sardar Akbar Nasir.

"I am the acting speaker and it is my constitutional obligation to conduct the election of the chief minister Punjab in a peaceful and transparent manner," the suspension order stated.

Mazari said in the order that the secretary and secretarial staff particularly the said officers were under a legal duty to provide full support and facilitate him in the discharge of his constitutional duty.


He said that the officials colluded with miscreants who physically attacked and disrupted the assembly proceedings thereby blatantly falling the proceedings of the House have been obstructed.

"The presiding officer has been physically assaulted and physically obstructed from discharging the constitutional duty whereas a preliminary inquiry has been conducted and the officers mentioned above have been found to be involved."

Express Tribune

 

[Energy]

Shabaash. This is the behavior at their ministerial level. How many seconds does it take for any PTI MNA and supporters to turn up against their own with intense hatred? It is actually dangerous if you join allies with PTI because you're not going to come out positive at the end of it. Poor MNAs had to resign from their hard-earned posts because a messiah told them to do so. This is heights of tunnel vision.

 

[uberkoen]

I don't even understand what all the anger is about. This is a democratic process. PTI won leadership in Punjab via the same process. Do they think they own the seats now?

What's even worse is the fact that so called educated supporters of PTI celebrating this behavior. This shows you the type of people that support this party.

 

[MenInG]

Governor Punjab Omar Sarfraz Cheema on Sunday condemned ruckus in the Punjab Assembly during the election of Chief Minister Punjab and sought report from the secretary regarding the violent incidents.

The governor sought report from the assembly secretariat while directing them to clarify four questions in this regard.

The governor Punjab asked if the deputy speaker conducted the assembly proceedings from rostrum or from the gallery, if Parvez Elahi was tortured in the assembly hall, and if police entered the assembly hall.

Omar Sarfraz Cheema also directed the secretary of the assembly to provide footages of the assembly. The sources said that the governor has asked the secretary to submit the report by 12:00 noon today.

Newly-elected Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz has also announced his plan to hold an inquiry into the Punjab Assembly brawl in which the lawmakers attacked deputy speaker and Pervaiz Elahi today.

Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Hamza Shahbaz was elected Chief Minister Punjab after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and allied parties boycotted the session after a ruckus which saw police enter the house.

Hamza Shehbaz, while speaking on the floor after being elected as the new Punjab CM, said that police entered the Punjab Assembly today which was not a good tradition. He added that police would have arrived inside the assembly if the deputy speaker is tortured. Hamza said that he wanted to congratulate the police officials for their role today.

https://arynews.tv/governor-punjab-seeks-report-on-violence-in-punjab-assembly/

 

[MenInG]

Speaker under attack!

 

[Markhor]

Wow is this an Assembly or Royal Rumble ? Emotions may be running high but there's no excuse for violence from elected officials.

 

[Mamoon]

So violence is ok when you guys hit and kill people and you support it. Kisko, you are being a hypocrite again

He gave a thumbs up to the violence, did you miss it?

And I didn’t know he was such a great actor.

 

[Major]

He gave a thumbs up to the violence, did you miss it?

And I didn’t know he was such a great actor.

There is even a video posted by alie moeen nawazish where Elahi called in his perspnal guards to enter the assembly. He personally oversaw each of his perspnal guard entering.

At the end, elahi got what he deserved

 

[MenInG]

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday advised the Punjab governor to ensure completion of the process of the administration of oath to chief minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz either himself or through his nominee not later than Thursday (today).

In a related development, the PML-N, PPP and the PTI’s dissident lawmakers in the province have decided to support Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari as the provincial legislature is set to take up a no-trust resolution against him on Thursday.

Meanwhile, sources close to Punjab Governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema said there were no plans to administer the oath to Hamza.

A short order announced by LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti on a petition of Hamza Shehbaz said all the enabling provisions/articles of the Constitution suggested prompt formation of governments — provincial and federal. The chief justice had reserved the verdict on Tuesday after hearing arguments from the government and the petitioner’s lawyers.

In the order, the CJ observed that for the formation of governments, an expeditious administration of oath either by the president, governor or their nominee, as the case may be, was mandatory.

“I do not find any vacuum or space in the Constitution for causing any delay in the administration of oath required under the Constitution,” the chief justice said in his order.

Justice Bhatti observed that Punjab was being operated without a functional government for the last 25 days since the acceptance of the resignation of the then chief minister Usman Buzdar. On the other hand, the oath of the newly elected chief minister was being delayed on one pretext or the other, which was not only against democratic norms, but also against the scheme of the Constitution, he regretted.

“That being the case, it is suggested/advised/proposed that the governor shall ensure the completion of the process of administration of oath of chief minister Punjab, either himself or through his nominee, in terms of Article 255 of the Constitution, on or before April 28, 2022,” the chief justice said in the order.

He observed that the president was also under constitutional obligations to facilitate the expeditious administration of oath of the prime minister or chief minister in any province. The chief justice also suggested President Dr Arif Alvi play his role mandated by the Constitution/law, ensuring a functional provincial government in Punjab.

He directed the court’s office to immediately transmit the short order through fax to the offices of the governor and president for its placement before them.

On April 22, the LHC, in a petition of Chief Minister-elect Hamza, ruled that the governor could not refuse to swear in a newly elected chief minister of a province and expected that the president would nominate any person to administer oath to the PML-N leader without a delay.

However, the president failed to comply with the order, and Hamza filed a fresh petition asking the court to nominate the Senate chairman to carry out the duty.

Advocate Azhar Siddique told the media that an appeal would be filed against the chief justice’s order on behalf of the MPAs of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and PML-Q. He said the courts could not issue directions to the president or the governor.

No-trust move against Mazari

Meanwhile, as a session of the Punjab Assembly is being convened on Thursday (today) to take up a no-trust resolution against its deputy speaker, the PML-N, PPP and PTI dissident lawmakers have decided to support Dost Mazari to return his ‘favour’ during the election of the chief minister.

“There is only one-point agenda of Thursday’s session and it is a resolution against the deputy speaker. The PTI needs the support of 186 lawmakers for the success of the motion,” a senior PA official told Dawn on Wednesday.

The voting will be held through a secret ballot. PA Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi will convene the session. “Since the PTI and PML-Q will have to gather 186 votes to oust the deputy speaker, the PML-N, PPP and PTI dissidents may not take part in the voting process,” a PML-N lawmaker told Dawn.

During the session, no MPA would be allowed to take his/her mobile phone in the House. Women lawmakers have been barred from carrying their handbags on the floor, besides guests will not be allowed to witness Thursday’s session. Strict security arrangements have also been made.

PTI MPAs Basharat Raja, Ahmad Khan, Sibtain Khan and Murad Raas submitted the no-confidence resolution under clause 7(c) of Article 53 of the Constitution read with Article 127 and under Rule 12 of the Rules of the Procedure of the Punjab Assembly for the removal of Dost Muhammad Mazari from the office of the deputy speaker.

On the other hand, PML-N parliamentary and PTI dissident lawmakers held a joint meeting to chalk out a strategy for Thursday’s PA session. Of the 197 votes Hamza polled to become the CM, 26 were from the PTI’s dissidents belonging to the Tareen, Aleem and Asad Khokhar groups.

“The PML-N, PPP and PTI’s dissident lawmakers have decided to support Mazari to foil the resolution against him,” a PML-N MPA told Dawn after the meeting.

In its last meeting on April 16, the Punjab Assembly had witnessed unprecedented violence leaving many injured, including Speaker Parvez Elahi and PTI MPA Asia Amjad. The House, however, ended up electing Hamza Shehbaz, leader of the opposition in the House and the son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the chief minister amid a boycott by PTI and PML-Q lawmakers.

Mazari, who was allegedly roped in on his side by Hamza ahead of the election, had initiated the assembly proceedings from a guest lobby in the hall over a megaphone and read out the agenda and rules for the election of the chief minister. Police and anti-riot forces had taken positions inside the House, while women MPAs sat over the speaker’s dais and chanted slogans.

Mr Elahi had claimed that all the powers delegated to the deputy speaker were void as soon as the Punjab Assembly session ended on April 16.

PA Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti said the deputy speaker called the deputy commissioner and the operations deputy inspector general of police, who summoned a heavy contingent of law enforcers despite the fact that only the sergeants-at-arms had the powers to step on the floor of the House.

“Mazari conducted the election process from the Officers’ Box with a megaphone, which was contrary to the assembly rules and procedures,” he maintained.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2022

 

[MenInG]

Pre-arrest bails of eight Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Punjab Assembly members, and four officials of the assembly secretariat, were confirmed on Tuesday in the PA brawl case.

The accused had allegedly attacked former acting PA speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari, affecting the assembly’s proceedings, damaging equipment and creating chaos on April 16.

The said session was fixed for the election of Punjab’s chief minister.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Yaseen Mohal heard the petitions and dismissed the pre-arrest bail of accused MPA Malik Nadeem Abbas Bara who was not present during the court’s proceedings.

The judge, however, confirmed the bails of MPAs Muhammad Rizwan, Ali Raza, Amar Yasir, Shehbaz Ahmad, Mahindar Singh and others. From the PA secretariat, Muhammad Khan Bhatti, Anayat Ullah Lak, Amir Habib and Akbar Nasir were granted bail.

The counsel for the accused implored the court that the aforementioned MPAs were innocent with FIRs lodged to humiliate them. The counsellor added that a ‘conspiracy’ was hatched by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and executed through former deputy speaker Mazari.

The counsel also contended that police officials were called into assembly chambers and the PTI and PML-Q’s representatives were removed.

“They were restrained from taking part in the election. False allegations had been levelled against them and a concocted story had been woven against the MPAs,” he added.

However, the law officer told the court that the accused persons were involved in creating anarchy in the assembly on election day. He added that the former deputy speaker Mazari was attacked while “the whole nation watched the episode on their television screens.”

The prosecutor claimed that the assembly’s administration was under control of the former PTI government.

While the petitioner’s stance was strongly opposed with a request to dismiss their bail petitions, the judge after hearing detailed arguments first reserved and then announced the decision to confirm bail.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) on Saturday arrested former deputy speaker of the provincial assembly and PTI dissident lawmaker Dost Muhammad Mazari in the land grabbing case.

The ACE had summoned Mazari on October 11 for allegedly illegally occupying government land but he did not appear.

After non-compliance with the summon, the ACE decided to file a case against Mazari.

Zahid Mazari, Sher Muhammad Mazari and Moazzam Mazari were also summoned by the ACE.

According to the report of assistant commissioner Rojhan, Mazari has grabbed thousands of acres government’s land.

Also read: LHC summons deputy speaker Mazari on appeal against CJ's order

Sources said anti-corruption Punjab had seized all the records of the land in question.

Confirming the arrest, Mazari’s cousin said the dissident PTI lawmaker was arrested from a private hospital where he went to visit his ailing grandfather.

Mazari was forcibly arrested by the ACE personnel and shifted to an unknown location, he added.

The lawmaker’s cousin alleged that Mazari was arrested at the behest of PTI chief Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.

Express Tribune