Hamza calls on IG Punjab to probe into torture of PML-N workers in Lahore

LAHORE: Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz on Friday demanded inspector general (IG) Punjab to hold transparent investigation into torture of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers in Lahore a day earlier.

Hamza was speaking to the media after meeting with party workers. He said the PML-N activists were barred from expressing solidarity with their leadership.

Demanding investigations into workers' thrashing at the hands of police, the opposition leader expressed hope that officers involved in baton-charging their activists would be punished.

On Thursday, police baton charged the PML-N workers as they clashed during party president Shehbaz Sharif’s appearance before an accountability court.

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

PML-N worker was injured as police resorted to baton charge

The PML-N president and leader of opposition in the National Assembly, who has been in National Accountability Bureau's 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 Thursday.

Addressing the party activists at the meeting earlier, Hamza said the masses and sincere, ideological workers were the real strength of the PML-N.

He said a few individuals attempted to appease someone by adopted cheap tactic of baton-charging their unarmed workers.

"Our mothers, sisters, youths and elderly people have proved themselves as sincere companions of Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif," the opposition leader said.

"The government demonstrated its fascist mindset by baton-charging peaceful workers."

He expressed hope that the IG Punjab would hold transparent investigations into the event and officers involved in brutal torture would be brought to justice.