Detained MNA of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Khwaja Saad Rafique on Thursday made an appearance in the National Assembly after Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain issued his production orders a day earlier.
Participating in the debate on the Nishtar Park carnage, he called upon the army to return to barracks. He asked the government to allow Mian Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, Altaf Hussain and other exiled leaders to return to the country. Saad Rafique, who appeared to have lost some weight and bite in his voice, avoided direct criticism on President Musharraf, which he was previously doing.
The MNA, who is in the government custody for his alleged role in ransacking the Punjab Assembly, contended that a clear guarantee must be given that exiled leaders would be allowed to return and play their role in national politics.
He called for the release of Javed Hashmi, Yousaf Raza Gillani, Zaeem Qadri and Sarfraz Naeemi and said that the policy to brand opponents as terrorists and traitors should end now. "We should not forget that Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and G.M. Syed played a role in Pakistan Movement, but later, they had to review their policies because of our injustices and political expediencies," he said.
He also said that without acknowledging political facts and realities, Pakistan would not be able to cope with the challenges, which triggered desk thumping from both the sides of the aisle.
Saad Rafique assailed the rulers for shutting doors on the possibility of dialogue with Baloch leaders and tribal people, saying, "This attitude can harm the country... You can't afford enmity with all segments of the society."
He believed that the incidents such as the Hangu and Nishtar Park were foreign-sponsored to ignite Sunni-Shia unrest across the country. "If the rulers are aware of that, what measures they have taken so far to avert the situation? He questioned. He said he was proud of being arrested for his participation in an anti-cartoon demonstration, but insisted that he had nothing to do with violence. He proposed a judicial investigation into the Lahore incident. Saad Rafique thanked Speaker Amir Hussain, the ruling PML leaders and the opposition for ensuring his presence in the National Assembly. His earlier production order was issued during the previous session, but he could not be brought to the House.
Insiders told Business Recorder that the speaker issued his production orders after getting an assurance from PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain that this time, he would be produced in the assembly. Shujaat talked to his cousin Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, who sought a nod from the "higher authorities", the insiders said.