Shehbaz slams police for ‘attacking PML-N workers’ without provocation

Vows to turn PML-N election rallies into protest demonstration due to the treatment given to Nawaz, Maryam

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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that party workers were attacked by Punjab police without provocation during their 'peaceful' rally in Lahore yesterday.

Addressing a news conference in Lahore, he said holding the trial of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz in prison is tantamount to obstruction of justice.

The former Punjab CM vowed to turn the party’s election rallies into protest demonstration due to the treatment given to the deposed prime minister and his daughter Maryam Nawaz.



The statement comes hours after police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against PML-N leaders and charged them with involvement in terrorism, inciting violence and attempted murder following unrest in Lahore on Friday.

Shehbaz Sharif, son Hamza Shehbaz, Javed Hashmi, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Raja Zafarul Haq were among the many named in the FIR.

In today's news conference, Shehbaz said the whole country witnessed as 'millions' tried to reach the Lahore airport to greet Nawaz Sharif upon his arrival last night. "People from all walks of lives were present, some had journeyed from different provinces. Yet, the caretaker set up had created an environment of fear and our workers were rounded up unnecessarily."



The PML-N president said that the way the arrests were made, and the injuries to two workers have enraged the party. "Soon the law will come into action and those who committed those atrocities will face courts," he warned. "Without any provocation, the police attacked our workers ... they used tear gas shelling and registered fake FIRs against our workers."

The former chief minister also complained of terrorism charges against senior party leaders Mushahid Hussain and Raja Zafarul Haq among others. "The media also completely blocked the incident, but those who shattered the economy were featured everywhere all day long," he complained.

Shehbaz also expressed his dismay over imprisonment of his older brother Nawaz and niece Maryam. "Nawaz and his daughter have been sent to jail, we will make use of all human rights clauses and other sources to knock the door of justice. Soon, in rallies, people will protest with black bands."