Production order issued for jailed Senator Ejaz Chaudhry

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani issued a production order on Monday for PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, who has been in custody for 18 months, to attend the Senate session scheduled for tomorrow.

The order, which emphasized the importance of Chaudhry’s presence during the 345th Senate session, stated: “The Honorable Chairman Senate considers necessary the presence of Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry during the sittings of the 345th session of the Senate of Pakistan.”

The directive, addressed to the secretary of the interior ministry and others, instructed them to ensure Chaudhry’s presence at the start of each session, with the understanding that he would be returned to custody after each sitting.

This is not the first time a production order has been issued for the senator, who is currently held at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. A similar order was issued in March of the previous year, but Chaudhry was not allowed to attend.

In November, Chaudhry, along with 21 other PTI members, was formally indicted by a Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in connection with the May 9, 2023, riots, with charges linked to incidents at the Racecourse and Sarwar Road police stations.

Despite his detention, Chaudhry expressed his resolve, stating, “No hardship has been able to break us, and nor will it. The state oppression will end.”