PML-N workers, police clash in Lahore during Shehbaz’s court appearance

LAHORE: Police baton charged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers as they clashed on Thursday during party president Shehbaz Sharif’s appearance before an accountability court.

The PML-N president and leader of opposition in the National Assembly, who has been in National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) custody since October 5 in connection to the Ashiana Iqbal Housing Scheme case, was presented before an accountability court in Lahore as his physical remand ended today.

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A large number of PML-N workers had gathered outside the court premises and tried to remove the barriers. At this, the police stopped them which resulted in a clash and police resorted to baton charge.

A PML-N worker was also injured during the baton charge and some involved in creating chaos were also taken into custody.

Police manhandled workers: Malik Ahmed

Commenting on the incident, PML-N leader Malik Ahmed said, “Marriyum Aurangzeb was present outside the court premises and police baton charged there. They also baton charged party leader Khawaja Imran Nazeer and police manhandled party workers.”

He further said, “PML-N did not make any plan to create chaos or for any untoward situation, workers had gathered to show support for the party president.”

“Police hit peaceful workers and even baton charged Lahore deputy mayor,” he added.

PML-N workers came in the mood for aggression: Chohan

Meanwhile, speaking to Geo Pakistan, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan had said, "PML-N workers came in the mood for aggression. They tried to fight with the police and the personnel responded."

Stating that no one can be allowed to take the law in their own hands, he said, "The police acted calmly and the situation was hyped up." 

"This violence was pre-planned," he added.