LAHORE: Incarcerated PTI-Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid on Saturday said the government formed with Form 47 manipulation, had no authority to negotiate with the opposition.

“I want to ask the chief minister of Form 47 as if she has the power to hold a dialogue,” the opposition leader taunted Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

In a handwritten statement provided to the reporters at an antiterrorism court, Dr Yasmin said the chief minister could not even appoint the police chief and the home secretary of her own choice.

“How can she negotiate with us?” the PTI leader said, questioning the legitimacy of the government. She called Ms Nawaz “madam ruthless” and a legal heir to dictator Gen Zia.

Dr Yasmin, former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mehmoodur Rashid were produced by the police before the court for the hearing of different cases of the May 9 riots. The hearing was adjourned till June 1.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2024