GUJRAT: A former PML-Q MPA, who had later joined the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI), was allegedly picked up by the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) at Malki village near Karianwala on Wednesday.

Though the ex-MPA’s family and the PTI local sources claim that Shujaat Nawaz Ajnala was picked up, local police expressed their ignorance about the incident.

He is the third former lawmaker of the PTI from Gujrat who has allegedly been detained. Earlier, ex-MNA Syed Faizul Hassan of Kulewal Syedan and ex-MPA Chaudhary Arshad from Sara-i-Alamgir, were also allegedly picked up by the LEAs.

The two other former MPAs of the PTI – Mian Akhtar Hayat and Liaqat Bhadar – both from Kharian tehsil, have already gone into hiding since long.

Mr Hayat was not even seen during the last rites of his brother Mian Amjad Hayat, who died at Kolian Shah Hussain near Dinga town a few days ago.

Shujaat Nawaz, who is younger brother of former Gujrat tehsil nazim Saadat Nawaz Ajnala, had also been tipped as a PTI ticket aspirant from Punjab Assembly constituency PP-29 (Tanda-Karianwala) in the coming general elections.

A few days ago, he had released a video message claiming commitment and loyalty to the PTI supremo Imran Khan and former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi.

Family source say that Mr Ajnala had gone to Malki village to attend the Qul of a local figure where he was detained.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2023