Punjab Assembly MPA Extortion Case Sparks Controversy

By Saleem Mubarak

LAHORE: Members of the Punjab Assembly’s Privilege Committee questioned the local government’s approach to anti-encroachment actions and asked the department to investigate how and why a case had been registered against an independent MPA on charges of extortion.

Punjab Assembly MPA Extortion Case Raises Questions

The committee, with MPA Arif Mehmood Gill in the chair, directed the local government secretary to conduct a departmental inquiry and submit a report for further action.

MPA Farrukh Javeed Moon, associated with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, presented the motion, which was discussed in the meeting.

The participants were informed that employees of the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation had turned up on McLeod Road, Lahore on September 17 in connection with an anti encroachment operation.

The MPA said that the corporation inspector had been asked to speak to him instead of launching an illogical operation. He said that the employees seized privately owned motorcycles and disturbed vendors who were there to earn a living.

Allegations of Misbehavior by Corporation Staff

Moon alleged that Mudassir, the corporation inspector, responded rudely and threatened to register a case against him for interfering in government work. Moon said he informed the inspector that he was an MPA.

However, he added that Mudassir continued to misbehave.

He said the department had sealed the market without any justification and later filed an FIR against him on charges of extortion. He also provided a copy of the FIR, claiming that the staff responsible for eliminating encroachment was itself involved in widespread extortion.

Inspector Denies Extortion Claims

Mudassir, however, denied the allegations and claimed he had been conducting routine anti-encroachment duty when he found illegal pushcarts on the footpath.

He said that he was unaware that Moon was an MPA. He claimed Moon used abusive language.

Following the situation, he said he called Rescue 15 due to interference and further alleged that Moon illegally de-sealed the shops the following day.

Conflicting Accounts and FIR Controversy

Moon immediately challenged Mudassir’s account and noted that the inspector falsely claimed the extortion FIR had not been registered against him.

A few members tried to pacify the matter, arguing that since the secretary of the department had already apologized, the issue should be settled. However, the majority of the members asked the chair to ensure that the department provide evidence showing on what grounds the extortion charge had been leveled against the MPA and why the Macload Road market pointed out by the MPA had been sealed.

Committee Emphasizes Seriousness of Extortion Allegation

Members stressed that the charge of extortion was a serious one, noting that such an accusation could severely damage an MPA’s reputation.

Concluding the meeting, the chairman said the committee was not satisfied with the department’s response regarding the extortion allegation, the sealing of the market and the misbehavior.

Chairman Directs Department to Provide Proof

The chairman directed the department to present proof supporting the extortion accusation against the MPA, establish the legality of the market’s sealing and subsequent reopening and determine the misbehavior.

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Saleem Mubarak: Saleem Mubarak is an investigative journalist, passionate writer, and keen observer of everyday life. His work combines humor, realism, and social insight to bring everyday stories to life with depth and clarity.

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