PESHAWAR: Police in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province confirmed on Wednesday former National Assembly lawmaker Mohsin Dawar was targeted by a group of unidentified gunmen in North Waziristan tribal district while carrying out election activities but remained unharmed in the attack.
Political parties and candidates have kicked off their election campaigns amid mounting security concerns ahead of the February 8 national polls in the country.
The situation is particularly difficult for politicians contesting the electoral contest from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where a workers’ convention of the Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam (JUI-F) party was attacked last year.
The JUI-F also called for election delay after the convoy of its top leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, came under fire while traveling on Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan motorway on Sunday.
“Mohsin Dawar’s vehicle was targeted while his convoy reached between two mountains, but the police party escorting him exchanged fire with the gunmen and the convoy remained safe,” District Police Officer of North Waziristan Rokhanzeb Khan said while speaking to Arab News.
“One person is said to have received slight injuries, and some bullets hit the front and side mirrors of his bullet proof vehicle,” he continued.
Soon after receiving information of the incident, a police contingent was rushed to the crime scene to secure the area.
A large number of people also came out after the announcement of the attack from local mosques to express support for the former lawmaker, the police officer added.
Former Pakistani lawmaker Mohsin Dawar escapes unharmed in attack during election campaign in North Waziristan
https://arab.news/4k3a9
Former Pakistani lawmaker Mohsin Dawar escapes unharmed in attack during election campaign in North Waziristan
- The incident happened amid mounting security concerns ahead of the February 8 national polls in the country
- Dawar was in a bullet-proof vehicle and escorted by a police contingent while carrying out his election campaign
Pakistan assembly speaker warns opposition against anti-state remarks in parliament
- Ayaz Sadiq says criticism of judiciary and armed forces will not be allowed on assembly floor
- He calls violence during protests unacceptable, vows neutrality as National Assembly speaker
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said on Saturday that opposition lawmakers would not be allowed to speak against Pakistan, the judiciary or the armed forces on the floor of parliament, calling such remarks unacceptable.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the eastern city of Lahore, Sadiq said parliamentary debate must remain within constitutional and legal limits, while reiterating his commitment to act impartially as speaker.
“No one will be allowed to speak against Pakistan, the judiciary or the armed forces on the floor of the National Assembly,” Sadiq said. “Negative or controversial remarks about judges or the armed forces are unacceptable.”
His comments come amid heightened political tensions after opposition groups held protests in the past, criticizing state institutions and targeting government and military properties.
The speaker said peaceful protest was a democratic right but drew a sharp line at violence and vandalism.
“Protest is the right of every citizen in a democratic society, but it must remain peaceful and within the bounds of the constitution and the law,” he continued, adding that arson, damage to property and the use of sticks or weapons in the name of protest were “unacceptable” and posed a threat to the rule of law.
“No opposition lawmaker will be allowed to speak on the National Assembly floor if they speak against Pakistan,” Sadiq said.
The speaker also noted the country’s economic indicators were gradually improving, citing an increase in foreign exchange reserves, and said Pakistan had further strengthened relations with countries including the United States, China, Russia, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
