LAHORE: PML-N lawmakers have condemned the alleged manhandling of their colleague by police during appearance of former railways minister Khwaja Saad Rafique in court in the Paragon City scam case and announced registering a first information report (FIR) against those responsible.

The lawmakers held a meeting over the alleged torture of MPA Taufeeq Butt by police in the Punjab Assembly opposition chamber on Friday and decided to approach the police station concerned to register a case against the (police) officers responsible for this. They also condemned the Buzdar administration for stopping journalists from entering the court to perform their professional duty.

Former speaker Rana Iqbal said Mr Butt’s hand was injured in the police torture. He said a privilege motion would be moved in the Punjab Assembly in this regard and the PML-N would also speak to the new inspector general of police and seek action against the culprits.

MPA Azma Bokhari said this was not the first time that police had misbehaved with the PML-N leaders, workers and journalists.

“We have brought this matter to Law Minister Basharat Raja but he fails to ensure action against the officials responsible for this,” she complained.

SP Headquarters Qarar Hussain, she said, was looking after the security affairs during the appearance of Saad Rafique at the accountability court.

“We don’t know what’s wrong with Mr Qarar,” she asked.

SP Qarar told the reporters that he had the (court) order to stop the reporters from entering the court. However, according to a court official, no such order was issued. Interestingly, the police used mega phone outside the court, making it difficult for Saad Rafique to do media talk.

Ms Bokhari warned if police did not stop manhandling the PML-N workers during appearances of their detained leaders in court, they (workers) would be forced to take law into their hands.

MPA Samiullah Khan said the PML-N would continue raising this issue in and outside the assembly till redress of its grievances.

Malik Ahmed said the party would register an FIR against those involved in the torture of Mr Butt. He said the presence of riot police during the appearance of PML-N leaders in court exposed the real intention of the PTI government.—Staff Reporter