Lawmaker from Khan’s party denied release despite Senate chairman's production order

A senator from former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — was not produced in the Parliament House on Tuesday despite a production order issued by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani.

Sources said that Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail administration refused to release Senator Ejaz Chaudhary, leaving the Islamabad Police team that delivered the production order to return empty-handed. The move has sparked outrage from opposition leaders, who see the refusal as a blow to parliamentary authority.

Opposition Leader in the Senate Shibli Faraz, who had requested the production order, criticized the Punjab government for its alleged disregard for the upper house. Speaking to the media, Faraz said the refusal to implement the order damages the privilege of the Senate.

“Ejaz Chaudhary is a member of this house and has sought his production order numerous times over the past year and a half. The Punjab government’s refusal is not just a failure to comply—it’s fascism,” Faraz said. He added that the matter would be taken to the Privileges Committee if the issue is not resolved promptly.

Faraz emphasized that Chairman Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani represents the entire House, not just the government. “Ignoring his order undermines the authority of Parliament itself,” he said.

Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly Zartaj Gul also condemned the incident. “Our members are being presented in court as ‘terrorists’. We are still waiting for Senator Chaudhary to join us in the Parliament House, and the Chairman Senate must ensure his release,” she said.

Member of the National Assembly Sahibzada Hamid Raza echoed concerns, saying, “The Kot Lakhpat Jail administration has blatantly refused to release Ejaz Chaudhary. This is an affront to parliamentary norms.”

This wasn’t the first instance of a production order being issued for the senator, imprisoned at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail since the May 9, 2023 riots. In March last year, he was due to be produced in the Senate but was unable to attend the session.

In November, Chaudhary was among 21 PTI figures formally indicted by a Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in cases related to the nationwide riots.

The charges were tied to incidents reported at the Racecourse and Sarwar Road police stations.