LAHORE. The Qilla Gujjar Singh Police Station on Saturday registered a first investigation report against people who cause chaos at the Punjab Assembly session, which was summoned to elect the new chief minister of the province.
In an unprecedented incident, the provincial assembly had witnessed a chaotic situation when Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari tried to occupy his chair before starting the session. Many lawmakers from the treasury benches flung lotas at the deputy speaker as they protested against PTI dissidents and the apparent US conspiracy to oust former premier Imran Khan.
As it was live on TV, PTI and PML-Q lawmakers were seen manhandling the deputy speaker as the security guards tried to rescue the latter from the former. Video footage showed that people other than assembly members also entered the august house and launched an onslaught on Mazari and police.
“The Punjab Assembly session was called upon on April 16, 2022, at 1pm to elect the new chief minister of the province. As Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari entered the house to conduct the session proceedings, a few members smacked him and flung lotas at him,” read the copy of FIR, which is available with Aaj Digital.
It added that the members broke the barrier and climbed up the deputy speaker’s chair.
“Amidst this, some unidentified persons entered from the guests’ gallery and harassed some MPAs,” it read and called for identification of such people via CCTV cameras. “Attackers by damaging the sanctity of parliament attacked the deputy speaker and damaged the house properties.”
The FIR was registered under sections 324 (attempt to commit qatl-i-amd), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Meanwhile, PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi also registered an application to lodge a case over the incident where he was also attacked.
“We were attacked in the assembly. I was victimised. [PML-N leader] Rana Mashood identified me and called for beating me. Amir Chandio, who tried to stop this, is also injured,” it read.
“I had been hit so hard that half an hour later I regained consciousness,” it read, alleging that orders were issued to not spare them until “they are dead”.
The PML-Q leader accused newly-elected CM Hamza Shehbaz, Punjab IG, and the chief secretary of orchestrating such an attack. He demanded of the authorities to provide justice.
Furthermore, the Qilla Gujjar Singh Police Station SHO issued a notice – a copy of which is available with Aaj Digital, for medical Parvez.
“Your request has been received. You [Parvez] should come for having your medical so that the medical officer concerned can conduct your observation and start the action as per the MLC report,” it read.
