Who is next in PML-N to face arrest?

ISLAMABAD: After Ahsan Iqbal’s arrest, who will be the next target in the PML-N? This is the question that is haunting many minds in the N-League amid reports of a list under circulation containing names already marked.

Earlier it was NAB alone but now the FIA too has started summoning the opposition leaders particularly those associated with the PML-N. This environment has caused fears among several PML-N leaders- some of whom have disappeared from the television screens and are not joining daily talk-shows like before to avert the possible arrest.

The PML-N top leadership in London has been shared with a “hit list” of those PML-N leaders who are likely to be arrested in the future. The list includes the names of Khawaja Asif, Maryium Aurangzaib, Javed Latif, Rana Tanvir, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Attaullah Tarrar, Uzma Bukhari, Khurram Dastgir and Mohsin Ranjha.

The list as shared with this correspondent does not include the name of Pervaiz Rashid but he too has already been issued a notice to appear before the FIA in the next few days time.

Only a few days back, the NAB arrested Ahsan Iqbal despite repeated recent damning court orders which badly exposed the Bureau’s actions against the opposition leaders.

Despite the fact that the courts, while accepting bail applications of several of those arrested by NAB in alleged corruption cases, seriously questioned the Bureau’s functioning in different cases and used the words and expressions like “arbitrary use of power”, “mala fide”, “conjectures”, “unperceived perceptions”, “lack of capacity” etc. for the Bureau and its accountability.

The NAB, however, has repeatedly said that it is working as per the law without any fear and favour. The NAB also contends that it makes cases on the basis of merit and there is no question of it being used for political victimisation.

After NAB, the Anti-Narcotics Force which had arrested Rana Sanaullah in alleged case of heroin smuggling is also facing credibility issue as the LHC while accepting Rana’s bail application noted that in the context of Rana Sanaullah being a vocal political leaders of opposition party, this aspect of the case could not be ignored as political victimisation in our country is an open secret.

The LHC was surprised that the ANF had alleged that Rana was involved in operating narcotics network, yet no request was made by the ANF for his physical remand in order to investigate about the alleged network.

Now another government entity- FIA- has started its operation against the PML-N. The FIA has summoned three PML-N leaders- Pervaiz Rashid, Atta Tarrar and Uzma Bukhari- in connection with judge Arshad Malik video scandal. On Thursday, a FIA team in Lahore raided the PML-N office.

The FIA has become active now following recent top level changes in the Agency and after the prime minister assigned Barrister Shahzad Akbar the additional role of premier’s special assistant on interior. Sources said that Akbar has been given this role to ensure that the FIA gears up its drive against “corruption”.

According to media reports, former DG FIA Bashir Memon was under pressure from the PTI government to arrest vocal opposition leaders particularly belonging to the PML-N but Memon had refused to do it.