RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Terming Rana Sanaullah’s arrest the worst oppression, injustice and use of force against opposition members by Imran Khan Niazi, PML-N President and leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif alleged that the informant who gave the tip-off about the reported presence of 15 kilogram of narcotics in the MNA’s vehicle was Imran Khan himself.

Talking to reporters on Tuesday after a PML-N meeting, Shahbaz alleged that the premier had ordered Rana Sanaullah’s arrest out of “frustration” and in an attempt to divert the nation’s attention from the “anti-poor” budget presented by the PTI government last month.

He said Rana Sanaullah had worked with him as the law minister in Punjab for 10 years and had “countless raids” conducted on sites where drugs were sold and consumed. “And today Imran Khan has resorted to the worst petty tactics and levelled false allegation against him to declare him a heroin peddler,” Shahbaz added.

To a query, Shahbaz said that ‘selected’ Prime Minister Imran Khan is dismayed because of his failed policies. “Rana Sanaullah is not only an asset to PML-N but an asset to Pakistan’s politics,” he said.

He questioned who had provided the tip off that 15kg of drugs were present in Sanaullah’s car and then he himself answered: “Imran Khan Niazi was the informant himself.” He alleged that Prime Minister Imran was taking such steps against the PML-N because “we are standing with the farmers, the poor and the unemployed.”

“If the premier used the same “tactics” to successfully alleviate poverty and inflation, the entire PML-N would be ready to go to jail,” he said. “It is a big misunderstanding if you think you can suppress our voices through the arrests.”

Shahbaz said: “The prime minister has ruined the country’s economy and the whole nation is concerned about it.” He accused the government of setting a precedent of calling thieves and dacoits in politics, adding that they [PML-N] won’t back down when the time to take to street would arrive.

Regarding the “Rehbar Committee”, Shahbaz said its first meeting would be held soon, adding that they were standing by the poor and farmers. Speaking about the “failed policies” of the PM, Shahbaz stated the premier is scared of the opposition and that is why he does not attend National Assembly sessions.

He lamented that former premier Nawaz Sharif has been denied adequate medical care and food from home. “Imran Khan himself has directed that Nawaz’s doctor not be allowed to visit him,” Shahbaz alleged.

Referring to PML-N MPAs’ meeting with the PM, he said the party has sought reply from members regarding reason of the meeting. PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the “government and some institutions are making plans for further arrests” and called it a way to distract the people from the budget. Earlier, the PML-N in its meeting discussed the situation arising out after arrest of Rana Sanaullah. Sources claimed that it was decided that the PML-N would use all legal and other options to expose political victimisation of the incumbent government.