Pakistan: Balochistan police reject to arrest opposition MPAs

Following mayhem on June 18 related to the provincial budget of financial year 2021-22, the lawmakers on Sunday were booked for attacking police personnel and issuing threats to them, reports the Express Tribune.

Riots occurred recently as security force officials were clearing the roads leading to the Balochistan Assembly which were blocked by the opposition parties while they were protesting against the government.

On Monday as many as 16 lawmakers, including the Opposition Leader in the Balochistan Assembly Advocate Sikandar Khan, Malik Naseer Ahmad Shahwani, Nasrullah Zairay, Sana Baloch, Mir Zabid Ali Reiki, Ahmad Nawaz Baloch, Shakeela Naveed Dehwar, Mir Akbar Mengal, Babu Rahim Mengal, Syed Azizullah Agha, Mir Hamal Kalmati, Akhtar Hussain Langau, Maulvi Noorullah, Makhi Sham Lal, Asghar Ali Tareen and Haji Nawaz Kakar reached the police station, the newspaper reported.

When contacted Quetta District Inspector General Police Azhar Akram told the Pakistani newspaper that the security force had put the arrest of the opposition lawmakers on hold as only the Investigation Officer would decide the matter against the nominated members of the FIR on the basis of evidence and investigation.

Responding to a question, the Quetta DIG said the police was an independent investigation body and they had not received any instructions from the government or any other source to arrest the MPAs or not to arrest them.

Pillows and carpets were also delivered to the police station for the lawmakers as they were present at the police station till Monday evening, reports The Express Tribune.