Khursheed Shah calls for Dasti's presence during NA budget session

ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah has called for the presence of Pakistan Awami Raj chairman Jamshed Dasti to be present for budget sessions in parliament.

Khursheed Shah has written a letter to Speaker Ayaz Sadiq requesting him to issue a production order ensure Dasti’s presence despite his arrest. He said that Dasti has the right to be present for budget sessions, and accused the government of using such tactics amid pressure from the Panama Case investigation.

Dasti was arrested on Thursday in Muzzaffargarh for allegedly instigating locals to open the headway of the Kalu irrigation canal after which a case was lodged against him. He was later sent to Multan jail on a twelve day remand. Dasti has defended his actions saying he was trying to help local farmers to get water for their crops.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi also expressed support for Dasti and visited the Multan jail but was barred from meeting him leading to an altercation with jail officials.

PTI workers raised slogans after the negotiations failed. Speaking to media outside the jail, Qureshi said the government has resorted to such unfair means to pressurize political opponents.

The PTI leader said the government seemed to be under extreme pressure from the Panama Papers case investigation. He said he will try to procure the NA speaker’s signature on Khursheed Shah’s letter requesting production orders for Dasti.