Islamabad: Shehryar Afridi, leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), dissociated himself from Rana Sanaullah’s 2019 arrest as narcotics control minister.
The former minister said the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) under a major general imprisoned Sanaullah on drug accusations during the previous PTI-led administration.
“ANF arrested Rana Sanaullah on intelligence reports. “ANF had all evidence against Rana Sanaullah,” he continued.
He denied persecuting Sanaullah during the previous PTI government.
ANF Lahore detained Sanaullah on July 1, 2019, near Ravi Toll Plaza on the motorway.
Moreover, The ANF arrested five people, including Sanaullah’s driver and security guards, and retrieved 15kg of heroin from his vehicle.
While, On December 24, 2019, the Lahore High Court (LHC) released Sanaullah after six months.
Later, a Lahore special court acquitted the interior minister in a December 2018 drug smuggling case.
Afridi wouldn’t comment on PTI defections after May 9 vandalism.
“Only God knows why people leave party,” he added.
A sessions court in Islamabad sent the PTI leader to police on two-day physical remand.
He was arrested after PTI chief Imran Khan was arrested on May 9 for his suspected role in the nationwide riots that destroyed defence and public facilities.
The investigative officer wanted Afridi’s five-day physical remand for photogrammetry and voice matching.
Judicial Magistrate Naveed Khan issued the reserved verdict and two-day physical remand.
