PML-N’s member of National Assembly, Anjum Aqeel Khan. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: A strong group within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is trying to save MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan, who is facing charges of land fraud and attack on policemen, from possible disciplinary action by the party, Dawn has learnt.

Sources in the party said a group comprising some influential figures had actively been lobbying for the past few days to save the MNA and so far it had been successful in restraining PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif from taking any extreme step against the legislator.

Mr Sharif, according to the sources, had almost made up his mind to expel Mr Khan from the party and seek his resignation from the assembly for causing an irreparable damage to the party’s image by not only escaping from police custody but also defying the leadership’s directives to surrender before the police.

The PML-N chief, however, deferred the step and constituted a special four-member committee headed by Senator Raja Zafarul Haq to probe into the allegations against Mr Khan. But when the committee absolved the MNA of the charges of escaping from police custody and termed the whole incident part of a conspiracy, Mr Sharif expressed his dissatisfaction over the report and asked the committee to issue a show-cause notice to Mr Khan.

The committee which had earlier announced that it had completed its job later issued a show-cause notice to the MNA, asking him to submit a written reply by July 30. Through the notice, the MNA was asked to give reasons for his “failure to exercise leadership and return to the police station immediately after a crowd forcibly removed you from police custody outside Police Station, Shalimar”. Mr Khan was also asked to give “reasons” for his arrest and “facts” about his alleged involvement in the National Police Foundation land case, being investigated by the FIA.

The sources said the supporters and friends of Mr Khan in the party told Mr Sharif that the MNA’s expulsion could be detrimental to the party as it would provide an opportunity to the party’s opponents to exploit the incident. They also told Mr Sharif that it would be difficult for the party to regain the National Assembly seat (NA-48), if by-elections were held.

Moreover, the sources said, the group members believed that Mr Khan’s expulsion could also cause financial problems for the party as the MNA was a strong financier.

Interestingly, the party has already suspended the basic membership of seven party activists nominated in the FIR (first information report) under the Anti-Terrorism Act for their alleged involvement in the attack on the policemen carrying Mr Khan to the police station.

When contacted, Raja Zafarul Haq, the head of the PML-N disciplinary committee, denied that there had been any pressure on him or the committee to save the MNA. He said the decision on the issue was still pending before the leadership.

Mr Haq said the incidents that led to the arrest of the MNA and his escape from police custody on July 15 clearly showed that Mr Khan was being politically victimised because of his active participation in protests against the government in the National Assembly.

Replying to a question, he said the PML-N in the past had taken action against its lawmakers after succumbing to pressure of the media and opponents. He said previously the party leadership had sought resignation of the MNA from Rawalpindi, Pervez Khan, when his nephew was caught for allegedly appearing in the BA examinations in place of his uncle, but later the court acquitted him. He said it was unfair to give judgment before completion of trial.

He said all the committee members had seen the video footage of the MNA’s escape from police custody and it was evident that Mr Khan was forcibly taken away from the scene. Moreover, he said, the police had arrested him in the case in which he had been granted an interim bail till July 19.