ISLAMABAD: A local court on Monday asked the police for a report in connection with the application filed by a Pakistan Peoples Party’s MNA seeking identification and arrest of suspects who had attacked the Sindh House.

       On March 18, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers and workers stormed the Sindh House, Islamabad, to protest against the dissident members of the party who had been staying inside the building, which is managed by the government of Sindh.

       The protesters broke the gate of Sindh House. After half an hour of the protest, the Islamabad police had arrived at the scene and arrested a number of protesters including some PTI MNAs.

       Later, PM’s spokesperson Shahbaz Gill reached the police station and got the arrested people freed.

       A case was registered with the Secretariat Police Station under sections 186, 188, 147, 149 and 422 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

       PPP’s MNA Abdul Qadir Mandokhel had filed an FIR, but police inaction into the case led him to file an application with the additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ).

       In his application, Mr Mandokhel stated that the suspects had attacked Sindh House and harassed lawmakers and their families.

       He said that police not only failed to protect the premises of Sindh House but also released the arrested people under pressure of the prime minister’s advisers and ministers.

       ADSJ Farrukh Fareed expressed displeasure over the police failure to submit a report into the case.

       He issued a notice to the police afresh and adjourned the proceedings of the case till Tuesday (today).

       Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2022