40 PML-N workers arrested for ‘maligning judiciary’

LAHORE: Police on Wednesday arrested nearly 40 workers of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and conducted several raids to arrest the elected members of the national and provincial assemblies from the area for their alleged use of abusive language against the Chief Justice of Pakistan and state institutions in Kasur, a town 50 kilometers southeast of Punjab’s provincial capital.
The arrests followed the registration of two complaints in local police stations, lodged on the complaint of a police constable, Abdur Rasheed, and an application submitted by a citizen, Major (r) Habibur Rehman.
“PML-N’s Member National Assembly, Waseem Akhtar; his party colleague, Naeem Safdar; Chairman Municipal Committee, Ayaz Khan; Chairman Baitul Maal, Nasir Khan; and Chairman Market Committee, Jamil Khan, with their 60 to 70 party workers, carried out a rally and strongly criticized the Supreme Court decision of banning the deposed prime minister, Mian Nawaz Sharif, for life.
“They abused the Chief Justice of Pakistan and used derogatory language against the judiciary and other national institutions,” read one of the complaints.
“We have arrested 40 persons so far and are following the remaining ones. Under the supervision of Superintendent Police Investigations, special teams have been constituted to arrest the accused MNA, MPA and others,” District Police Officer Zahid Nawaz confirmed to Arab News.
“Punjab’s Inspector General Police has taken serious notice of the incident. No one will be allowed to use derogatory language against the judges and create a law and order situation. The law will be implemented in letter and spirit.”
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to put a lifetime ban on the former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has caused political anxiety among his party workers, and some have become increasingly vocal against what they describe as judicial activism.
“The PML-N does not approve such use of derogatory language against the judiciary or the judges. If anyone is proved guilty of such an act, the party will take action against that person,” PML-N Chairman, Raja Zafarul Haq, told Arab News. “We believe in respect for all and do not abuse even our worst opponent.”