PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal baton-charged at symbolic opening of Karachi bus project

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal and other party members came face to face with the Rangers on Thursday when the paramilitary troops prevented the members of the PML-N from performing ‘symbolic opening’ of the Green Line bus service in Karachi.

The confrontation led to a brawl and scuffle between the two sides. It all began when a number of workers of the PML-N Karachi chapter, in line with the plan to hold a symbolic opening of the project, started to gather at one of the bus stations in North Nazimabad. The protestors were later joined by senior leaders, including former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair, and former federal finance minister Miftah Ismail.

The PML-N workers faced resistance from the Rangers who were carrying sticks. The situation turned tense when Iqbal came forward and started arguing and insisted on exercising his democratic and legal rights.

پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے صدر اور قائد حزب اختلاف شہبازشریف کی کراچی میں احسن اقبال اور پارٹی کارکنان پر تشدد کی شدید مذمت ، تحقیقات کا مطالبہ

عمران نیازی کے حکم پر کراچی میں رینجرز کے ذریعے سیکرٹری جنرل احسن اقبال سمیت پارٹی راہنمائوں اور کارکنوں پر بہیمانہ تشدد کیا گیا pic.twitter.com/eZWadDpbji

— PMLN (@pmln_org) December 9, 2021

In the process, the PML-N claimed, Rangers also resorted to baton-charge that left Iqbal and a female worker injured.

“But we don’t know under which law we were stopped by the Rangers. It didn’t end here. When we questioned their move, they restored to the worst state of terrorism. I hope that military leadership would take notice of the Ranger’s action,” said Iqbal.

ہماری حکومت میں ہم نے کبھی رینجر کو سیاسی مقاصد کیلیےاستعمال نہیں کیا تھا میں امید کرتا ہوں فوج کی قیادت اس بات کا نوٹس لیگی کہ اگر فوج کے ادارے سیاسی اجتماعات اور سیاسی سرگرمیوں میں ملوث کیے جائینگےتو خدانخواستہ پھر یہ نہ ہو پاکستان کےعوام براہ راست ان اداروں کے سامنے آ کھڑے ہوں pic.twitter.com/ro2eQav6v6

— PMLN (@pmln_org) December 9, 2021

Showing bruises over his left hand due to the baton charge, Iqbal called it political vendetta of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, which had ordered the paramilitary force to attack PML-N workers and media.

یہ حکومت سوائے مسلم لیگ ن کے منصوبوں پر تختیاں لگانے کے کوئی اور کام نہیں کرسکتی.آج جب ہم اس منصوبے کے افتتاح کیلیے پہنچے تو حکومت نے بدترین ریاستی دہشتگردی کا مظاہرہ کیا.مسلم لیگ ن کے کارکنوں اور صحافیوں پر رینجر کو حملہ کرنے کا حکم دیا گیا.@betterpakistan pic.twitter.com/BexfNnGRxR

— PMLN (@pmln_org) December 9, 2021

Twitterati condemned the act and reminded that no one deserves this treatment.

Journalist Raza Rumi tweeted, “Shameful reminder of this terrible episode and tactic employed to undermine an elected representative and a member of the cabinet where all executive power (theoretically) resides.”

Shameful reminder of this terrible episode and tactic employed to undermine an elected representative and a member of cabinet where all executive power (theoretically) resides. https://t.co/lvBu1dOyfq

— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) December 10, 2021

Senior journalist Fahd Husain tweeted, “This photo is wrong for so many reasons: symbolically, optically, figuratively, and literally. No elected representative, regardless of political affiliation, should be treated like this, let alone someone as senior & respected as @betterpakistan Ahsan Iqbal.”

This photo is wrong for so many reasons: symbolically, optically, figuratively, and literally. No elected representative, regardless of political affiliation, should be treated like this, let alone someone as senior & respected as @betterpakistan Ahsan Iqbal. https://t.co/yWUaRARfK2

— Fahd Husain (@Fahdhusain) December 10, 2021

Journalist Hasan Zaidi tweeted, “Meanwhile, why were the Rangers so invested in stopping a symbolic ceremony? Are they a political force?”

Meanwhile, why were the Rangers so invested in stopping a symbolic ceremony? Are they a political force? https://t.co/x7hjxVxqpc

— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) December 9, 2021

I condemn the maltreatment of @betterpakistan, he has served Pakistan with dignity. Such acts help Pakistan in no way. Thank you Ahsan Iqbal for all the good work you did for Pakistan. https://t.co/wvzIOHdIZB

— Navid Fazil (@navidcch) December 10, 2021