PA speaker orders production of opposition MPAs

LAHORE: Expressing outrage over the illegal arrests of opposition MPAs, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Friday directed the issuance of production orders for the detained legislators.

Responding to a point of order raised by opposition MPA Col (Rtd) Shoaib Ameer, the speaker condemned the unlawful arrests of political workers and MPAs, terming them unjustified. He sought explanation from police. “Why haven’t the MPAs been released despite the issuance of production orders?” he questioned. 

The speaker assured the opposition that he would actively work toward resolving the issue. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan pointed out that permission must be sought from the speaker before arresting any member. Earlier, Col (Rtd) Shoaib Ameer, the opposition MPA, accused the Layyah DPO of being corrupt. 

He alleged that even the speaker of the Punjab Assembly could be targeted in the district if a bribe was paid to the police.