PTI's flags, banners found in drain before convention in Lahore

By
GEO NEWS
|

LAHORE: Unidentified persons ripped off and threw in the drain flags of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and banners for the workers' convention the party had announced to be held in Township, Lahore on Sunday.

Even the wedding hall — where the event was to take place — was locked and the owner could not be contacted by party leaders.

Supporters who went to attend the event at the venue, saw the place locked up.

"The hall owner was threatened with dire consequences if he let the convention take place," PTI leader Shafqat Mehmood said while talking to the media. "If such tactics are to be used then the people responsible should be ready for a war."

The party leaders believed the workers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz behind the mayhem.   

Since the venue was no more available, PTI leaders started the convention on the road where workers shouted slogans.

While talking to the media during the convention, another party leader said PTI is a progressive party and would not be undermined by such tactics.  

A heavy contingent of police reached the site and informed higher authorities.

However, PML-N leader Zaeem Qadri, who is also the spokesperson for the Punjab government, was of the view the issue was a result of internal rifts between the party's sub-grounds. He added there were tensions between the groups of Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Jahangir Tareen and the allegations levelled against PML-N were baseless.