Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas filed a privilege motion on Monday against the Station House Officer (SHO) of Barakahu police station, accusing him of preventing Abbas from reaching his residence and treating him in a rude and discourteous manner at a police checkpoint. The motion was submitted in the upper house of parliament a day after a high-level delegation of the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Pakistan (TTAP), led by National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, was stopped by police from traveling to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after announcing plans to join an ongoing sit-in in Rawalakot.
Details of the Incident
According to the privilege motion, dated June 29 and addressed to Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani, the incident occurred at approximately 5:30 pm when Abbas was traveling to his residence in Satra Meel, Islamabad. He found the road blocked by police at a checkpoint in Barakahu. The motion accuses Sub-Inspector Naeem-ul-Hassan, SHO of Barakahu Police Station, of committing a breach of privilege.
Abbas alleged that SI Naeem-ul-Hassan, accompanied by a large number of police personnel, approached his vehicle and in a rude and discourteous manner informed him that he could not proceed further. The senator identified himself as the Senate opposition leader and explained that his residence was located approximately 2 kilometers from the checkpoint. Despite this, the motion states, the SHO neither paid heed to his explanation nor extended the courtesy due to a member of Parliament, instead continuing to behave in an insulting and disrespectful manner.
Context of the Delegation
The incident involving Abbas occurred shortly after a TTAP delegation, which included Abbas, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, TTAP spokesperson Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai, and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, was stopped by police from traveling to AJK. Police officers stated that they had been instructed by their senior officers not to allow the delegation to continue. The delegation had announced plans to join an ongoing sit-in in Rawalakot.
Legal and Parliamentary Implications
The privilege motion was filed under the Senate's Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, seeking action against the SHO for what Abbas termed a clear breach of privilege. The motion emphasizes that the behavior of the police officer not only obstructed a senator from performing his duties but also showed disrespect to the institution of Parliament. The Senate chairman is expected to review the motion and decide on further proceedings.
