What is the real story behind the arrest of Rana Sanaullah

Matthias Samuel

On 1^st July 2019, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) arrested Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah for allegedly possessing drugs. According to reports, he is accused of having links with drug sellers. He was arrested near Sukheki while he was on his way to Lahore from Faisalabad to attend a party meeting. The case was filed after a large stash of contraband was recovered from his vehicle.

Reaction from the opposition

The PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif said Sanaullah’s arrest was the worst example of lawlessness, and had exposed the “personal vendetta of PM Imran Khan”. He further said, “PM Imran has set an example of using national institutions against political opponents,”

Maryam Nawaz, the Vice-President of the opposition party PML-N, called the arrest “absurd” and accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of being “directly behind his arrest”. She further added that the party loyalist was “arrested for his bold and courageous stance“.

The Chairperson of the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the Rana Sanaullah’s arrest was a “desperate attempt at political victimization”.

What does the government wants to imply by doing all this: Shahbaz Sharif

Shahbaz Sharif, the leader of opposition party in National Assembly, said Rana Sanaullah was arrested just to divert the public’s attention from the ongoing strikes and the oppressive budget presented last month.

These statements by the opposition are somewhat understandable because in a democratic setup everything is to be done in the interest of public rather than using the power for personal reasons or interests, unless or until the situation is of national security than the government should do what is to be done. From what is to be seen from the first day of the current government, it is much more focused on dismantling the opposition.

Today on 4^th July 2019, the State Minister for Interior Shahryar Afridi along with the ANF Director General Major General Muhammad Arif Malik held a Press Conference at PID in Islamabad, wherein he reiterated the resolve to leave no stone unturned to eliminate drugs from the Country.

Shahryar Afridi said that it is inevitable to take all culprits regardless of their status or power to the task if they have to purge the Country from drugs.

Whereas the ANF director general told media persons that they have all the required evidences against Rana Sanaullah, which would be produced before the Court of Law.

It is worth noting that on December 11 last year, the nephew of Shahryar Afridi was arrested for the possession of contraband items; however later was bailed out.