PML-N supporters clash with police in Lahore
At least 50 people have been injured during clashes between PML-N workers and police in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The clashes broke out during rallies held in connection with the arrival of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in Lahore. While Nawaz Sharif has been shifted to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, his daughter Maryam has been kept Sehala Rest House,which has been declared as temporary sub-jail by the authorities.
"At least 50 people including 20 policemen have been injured during clashes between PML-N workers, police and rangers mostly in Lahore and some adjoining districts in Punjab," said Punjab police spokesman.
The major clashes took place late last night between the PML-N workers, police and rangers at the Joray Pul, some five km away from Lahore airport, where the PML-N rally was stopped. The protesters pelted police and rangers with stones when they fired tear gas on them, he said.
"It was not understandable as why the PML-N workers were pressing ahead to get to the airport despite the fact that Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz were arrested at the airport and flown to Islamabad on a jet," the police spokesman said.
"Some 25 PML-N workers and policemen have been injured in this clash," he added.
Seven policemen and 10 PML-N workers have suffered injuries in two other clashes. Condemning the police for using force to stop PML-N workers, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Auranzeb said that a number of its workers had been injured in clashes with police.
She also demanded immediate release of its workers after the court directive.
The Lahore High Court on Friday had ordered release of over 370 PML-N workers who were detained ahead of its Lahore rally.
Thousands of people participated in the PML-N rally in Lahore that ended Friday midnight, without reaching the airport to welcome Nawaz and Maryam.
Nawaz and Maryam Sharif were arrested by the country’s anti-graft body in the Evenfield properties case. Both Nawaz and Maryam have been convicted by an accountability court for 10 and seven years imprisonment, respectively, in the corruption case.
