Nazir Chauhan remanded in FIA custody

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Thursday expressed serious resentment after MPA Nazir Chauhan was not released despite issuance of production order by the chair.

The speaker adjourned the session and said the House would meet daily and adjourn and no legislation would take place until Nazir Chauhan’s production order was implemented. The session began with a delay of over two and a half hours.

Saeed Akber Niwani, the leader of MPAs supporting Jehangir Khan Tareen, on a point of order told the speaker that despite issuance of production order by the chair, Nazir Chauhan had not been released, which was a clear violation and disrespect to the House.

Niwani further stated that the only mistake of the MPA was to ask a person holding an important position in the office about his religious beliefs. Niwani said rather than clarifying his own position, Shahzad Akbar was issuing directions to the FIA to torture the MPA.

Pervaiz Elahi expressed serious anger over the non-implementation of his orders and warned baboos to avoid becoming ‘Tarzen’. “This is Pakistan where Parliament is supreme and the law of jungle doesn’t prevail here.”

He warned that as long as Nazir Chauhan was not allowed to attend the session as per the Production Order, no legislation would take place and session would continue to face adjournment.

The Speaker also stated that rules regarding the privilege of every member were very clear and whosoever violated it would be taken to task. Meanwhile, a magisterial court Thursday remanded PTI Jahangir Tareen Group MPA Nazir Chauhan in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in a case registered against him by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar.

The FIA produced Chauhan before the court and sought his remand for investigation. Last day, Nazeer was about to be released from jail after an order reached the jail from the court concerned in another case registered against him by Shahzad Akbar. However, the FIA arrested him in another case registered by Shahzad Akbar for some social media posts defaming and putting his life in danger.

According to the first FIR registered by the Race Course Police Station, Shahzad Akbar accused Chauhan of making false allegations against his religious beliefs during appearance on a TV channel, putting his life at risk.

The FIR was registered under Sections 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 189 (threat of injury to public servant), 298 (making statements with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings) and 153 (provoking to cause riot) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

A case was also registered against Nazir Chauhan by the Green Town police station on Thursday on the complaint of SHO Green Town, SI Saghir Ahmed, under Sections 147, 149, 506, 188, 353 and 186 of PPC.

As per FIR, on the day of Azad Kashmir elections, MPA Nazir Chauhan visited polling station with his coordinator and 25 unknown persons and insulted the SHO Green Town while trying to forcibly enter the polling station. He also gave life threats to the SHO and warned that he would get him transferred.

Meanwhile, Punjab Law and Cooperatives Minister Raja Basharat Thursday said the case of Nazir Chauhan MPA was serious, as no one had the authority to question the religious beliefs of others.

He said this while talking to the media at the Punjab Assembly here. “We should be careful in such sensitive matters. Even then if Nazir Chauhan faces any lawlessness, it would be corrected,” he added.

He further said the election in Sialkot was transparent and the rumors of rigging carried no weight. He said the Punjab government implemented all the orders of the Election Commission for transparent elections, as it believed in strengthening the institutions and democracy.