June 01, 2015
News
Politicians fume over Mian Iftikhar’s arrest
* KP CM says ANP leader arrested on complaint of killed worker’s father
hamid wazir/agenciesISLAMABAD/NOWSHERA/LAHORE: Political parties on Sunday criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police for arresting Awami National Party (ANP) senior leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain for his alleged involvement in the murder of a PTI worker.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker Habibullah was killed as a clash erupted between workers of the Awami National Party and PTI during a celebratory rally of the PTI in Pabbi area of Nowshera.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Information Minister Pervez Rashid, JUI-F cleric Fazlur Rehman and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah condemned the arrest and termed it an act of political victimisation.
Talking to Daily Times, ANP leader Afrasiab Khattak termed the arrest an ‘act of political vengeance’ by the PTI-led KP government, as how a man could commit murder who forgave blood of his only son.
He alleged that a mob of PTI raided the ANP office, where Iftikhar was present. He said the PTI workers wanted to attack Iftikhar.
Khattak said that police reached the scene to disperse the PTI protesters, but it failed to control the situation. Later, additional contingents, including army personnel, were called in to rescue Iftikhar.
The ANP leader complained that they had registered a first information report (FIR) against what he said was a life attempt on Iftikhar.
He said no action has been taken so far, as the local administration is siding with the ruling party.
PTI MNA Ayesha Gulalai refuted the allegations and said her party and the KP government have nothing to do with the arrest or the registration of a case against Mian Iftikhar.
She added that the ANP leader and his guards were arrested over the complaint of the deceased’s father. Ayesha said the PTI and KP government should not be blamed for the matter.
Iftikhar, who categorically denied any role in the killing, was presented in a court in Nowshera where a judicial magistrate remanded him into custody for one day.
Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said Iftikhar’s arrest was the worst example of political victimisation by the KP government.
In a statement, he said a large-scale mismanagement and irregularities were committed in the local government (LG) elections held in KP on May 30, having no precedent anywhere.
Separately, former president Asif Zardari said that nation has witnessed massive rigging in KP elections.
He also demanded that the Election Commission take action against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak. He also condemned the arrest of Mian Iftikhar and former PPP minister Liaqat Shabab.
He said that the arrests showed the KP government is hell-bent on victimising political opponents. He demanded immediate release of Iftikhar and Shabab and immediate withdrawal of cases against them.
Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said his government has nothing to do with Iftikhar’s arrest or the registration of a case.
He, however, added, “Our sympathies are with the heirs of martyr of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as they have right to knock the door of justice.”
The CM said the KP government has no link with the arrest of ANP leader and the case registered against him.
Separately, ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan condemned the allegations levelled against Iftikhar.
He denounced the detention of the former provincial minister.
Talking to a private TV channel, he said that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has also accused PTI of rigging.
Earlier, an incidence of firing by unknown individuals killed a 16 year old boy late Saturday night in Pabbi. Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) has accused that the boy was shot dead by Awami National Party (ANP) workers.
PTI workers surrounded the house of ANP’s former Information Minister Mian Iftikhar’s home after the incidence.
Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that political victimisation has unveiled the real face of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
In a statement, he said arresting Awami National Party leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain reflects the dictatorial attitude of Imran Khan.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk