IGP faces questions by lawmakers over use of tear gas on protesters, terrorism charges against MNA
Zubair Qureshi
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Member of the Senate, Saifullah Abro on Monday asked the Islamabad police chief to provide details of expenses incurred on acquiring containers which were being used to block roads of the federal capital.
He raised the question during a meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Interior that was held at old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges.
Senator Mohsin Aziz chaired the meeting.
Inspector General (IG) of Police Islamabad, Dr Akbar Nasir while responding to the Senator’s question said the details regarding expenses on containers would be provided in the next meeting.
Senator Abro also asked the IGP ICT why the officers of DIG rank were firing tear gas shells on the general public during a protest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). “If a DIG has to fire then why do the thousands of personnel have been called from Sindh,” he asked.
In reply to that, IGP Dr Akbar Nasir said it was the duty of every police personnel to protect his people and country against any sort of aggression.
Senator Mohsin Aziz also inquired the IG Islamabad why the FIR registered under Anti-Terrorism Act against MNA Saleh Muhammad. Dr. Akbar Nasir, IG Islamabad said police was inquiring into the matter and the committee will be apprised about the findings once the inquiry is completed.
The meeting was attended by Senator Seemee Ezdi,Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman,Senator Walid Iqbal,Senator Saifullah Abro, Senator Kamil Ali Agha,Senator Syed Sabir Shah,IG Islamabad Police Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, Additional Secretary Ministry of Interior Asad Islam Mani and other relevant officers were also in attendance.
Earlier, Senator Mohsin Aziz condemned the assassination attempt on Chairman PTI Imran Khan and humiliating incident involving Senator Azam Awati. He categorically stated that these kinds of incidents will only lead the country towards anarchy and lawlessness. He further added that one is unable to find an example of such cowardly incidents in the modern world.
The Senate body adopted the report of the Sub-Committee constituted to probe the incident of the raid at Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee conducted by FIA cybercrime wing. Senator Kamil Ali Agha, convener of the Committee, suggested that the matter should be referred to the Privilege Committee.
Adding that, Senator Mohsin Aziz questioned the FIA officials who had ordered for forensic on objectionable video clips related to Senator Azam Swati. FIA officials apprised the senate committee that the ministry of interior wrote a letter to FIA to conduct forensic on objectionable clip circulating on Social Media and after forensic it was revealed that the video was fake.The chair reiterated that only handpicked have access to video and objectionable clip was not leaked into social media. He also directed the ministry of interior to provide details regarding the timing of the letter and why the denial has been issued by FIA without prior approval of Senator Azam Swati.
