Lahore: Police has started a crackdown against the PML (N) workers who are making necessary preparations to welcome Nawaz Sharif.
According to media reports police crackdown continued in Lahore till late into the night and PML (N) offices have been raided at different locations and several local leaders have been arrested. Following this workers protest continues.
The arrested PML (N) workers include Chairman Faisal Town Peace Committee Aaisher Jatt, Kahna party Vice Chairman Mohammad Shafqat, UC-98 Chairman, Muzamal Gujjar, UC-78 Chairman Syed Aamir Shah Gulshan-e-Ravi, UC-48 Chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Ali Gujjar and UC-59 Chairman Bao Mohammad Rafique.
Besides Ferozewala UC-2 Chairman Sheikh Kashif, UC-4 Sajjad Chohan, Chairman PML(N) Jauhar Town Malik Nisar Ahmad Khokhar have also been arrested.
Police has also raided the office of UC – 33 Yaki Gate Vice Chairman Ahmad Rashid Butt and Ferozewala Shahdara police have raided the houses of Party Chairmen and Vice Chairmen and for further arrests the process of raids continues.
In various locations of Lahore PML (N) workers blocked the roads by burning tyres and protested against the arrests.
DIG Operations Lahore Shahzad Akbar has said that no political party will be allowed to take law into its hands and in case of any violation of code of conduct the action will be taken sans any discrimination. He added that severe orders have been issued for the house arrest of mischievous elements and implementation of code of conduct. Shahzad Akbar further said that Home Department has prepared the lists for the house arrest of undesireable party workers whereas District Administration has been ordered to house arrest 300 such workers.
Former Speaker of National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq has said that caretaker government should stop the arrest of PML (N) workers and he warned that the law and order situation can deteriorate by putting hurdles in the way of welcoming Nawaz Sharif and the responsibility squarely lies on those people who have ordered the crackdown. He further said that caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Hassan Askari is wholly responsible for all actions.
He added that it is beyond comprehension who has advised the government for this foolish action.
Ayaz Sadiq demanded that their arrested workers should be set free.
Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that across the city the wave of arrest continues and more than 100 workers have been arrested so far. He warned that government should understand that they have no intention to take the law into their own hands.
