In a stunning turn of events, Asad Qaiser, former National Assembly Speaker, has been apprehended in Islamabad. The trigger for his arrest was the filing of a corruption case by the Anti-Corruption Establishment in Swabi, alleging his involvement in corrupt practices within the health department.
They was taken into custody at his residence in Islamabad, sending shockwaves through his supporters and allies. To add an extra layer of perplexity to this situation, his brother, in a video statement, expressed his disbelief, given that Asad Qaiser had already been granted bail in all prior cases.
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The situation escalated further as a team from the Anti-Corruption Establishment was dispatched to the federal capital with the intention of relocating the former speaker to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising eyebrows and stirring controversy.
The arrest of Asad Qaiser has not gone unnoticed or unopposed. Former federal minister and PTI central general secretary, Omar Ayub Khan, vehemently condemned the arrest, branding the charges as “trumped-up fictitious charges” by the Anti-Corruption Department. Khan drew attention to the disparity in treatment between political figures and called it “Pre Poll Rigging,” demanding a level playing field.
Asad Qaiser’s arrest follows a wave of similar incidents involving PTI members in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the recent apprehension of former provincial minister Kamran Bangash in the provincial capital. This ordeal highlights a growing pattern of cases being brought against former ministers, MNAs, and MPAs, adding to the confusion and burstiness surrounding the political landscape.
In a climate of uncertainty and controversy, the arrest of Asad Qaiser is a stark reminder of the complexities and intrigues that characterize Pakistan’s political arena.