We have evidence against Rana Sanaullah: Shehryar Afridi

Published July 4, 2019
Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Shehryar Afridi addresses a press conference along with  ANF Director General Major General Muhammad Arif Malik on Thursday. — DawnNewsTV
Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Shehryar Afridi addresses a press conference along with ANF Director General Major General Muhammad Arif Malik on Thursday. — DawnNewsTV

Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Shehryar Afridi on Thursday said the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) had "complete footage" of PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah Khan before it moved to arrest him.

Sanaullah had been arrested on Monday by the ANF in what is said to be a narcotics case involving proscribed outfits. An ANF spokesperson had earlier notified that a large quantity of narcotics were recovered from Sanaullah's vehicle at the time of arrest.

Addressing a press conference alongside the ANF Director General, Maj Gen Muhammad Arif Malik, Afridi said narcotics agents had been working on leads following an arrest in Faisalabad.

"For approximately three weeks, Rana Sanaullah's car and movements were monitored at every level," he stated, adding: "Everything, A to Z, will be presented in court."

"These are such cruel and dangerous people that we cannot share all the details with you as they can cause people a lot of damage," Shehryar told the news conference.

"My message for all those who are promoting Rana Sanaullah sahib is that a lot of things attached to this [case] will be brought forward. No one will be allowed to get away. No one is above the law."

Afridi said that in three instances while the ANF was tracking Sanaullah's movements, he had been with female family members and the ANF had therefore decided not to stop him. He applauded the ANF for upholding "family values".

He reiterated that the authorities had all the evidence they needed against the PML-N leader and that everything would be presented in court.

On Tuesday, Sanaullah had been sent to jail on 14-day judicial remand by a district court in Lahore.

Addressing the press conference, the ANF director general said that they had not sought physical remand of the PML-N leader because they did not need to force him or physically torture him to strengthen their case.

"We took judicial remand because we had sufficient evidence in the matter and thus there was no need for a physical remand," he said.

'Rana sahib is very weak'

Speaking to the media after meeting her husband, Sanaullah's wife said that her husband was feeling very weak as he had not been given any food or water in the past two days.

"Rana sahib is weak; he is not even able to speak. He has not been given anything to eat in the past two days. He was given just one slice of bread today. His place of detention does not even have a fan," she claimed.

"He was escorted in and out of the meeting with me. An official was present throughout the meeting," she complained, adding that the person who did his medical examination also belongs to the ruling PTI.

"Rana sahib is being punished for telling the truth. We do not fear anything. Even in Pervez Musharraf's time, he had been honourably freed," she added.

Addressing the prime minister, Sanaullah's wife said: "Imran Khan, do everything that suits you. Do things that bring honour to you." She also vowed to register a First Information Report against Prime Minister Imran.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.