- Abdul Ghaffar Gujjar had recently joined PTI after having been previously associated with PML-N
- PTI leaders warn of besieging IG Office, law minister criticises party for promoting violence
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate for UC 124, Abdul Ghaffar Gujjar was killed in firing by unidentified men late on Tuesday night.
According to details, Ghafoor Gujjar, 26, was sitting in his campaign office along with his supporters when unidentified men on a motorbike opened fire, killing him on the spot. Ghaffar’s brother Safdar Gujjar was among those injured in the firing.
Family members of the deceased and supporters of the PTI blocked Ghari Shahu Chowk in protest. They demanded the arrest of the culprits, and nominated five people in the FIR, including Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Shabbir and Farrukh Dogar.
The heirs of the deceased PTI candidate also accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate for the killing. Sources said that the victim had joined PTI hardly a few days ago after leaving Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-).
PTI leaders Abdul Aleem Khan, Shafaqat Mahmood, Barrister Hammad Azhar and Dr Samina Rashid were part of the sit-in organised by the victim’s family.
Superintendent Police (SP) Operation Wing Haroon-ul-Rashid was trying to negotiate with family members to stop the protest at the time this report was filed.
PTI also protested with the dead body of the slain activist outside the press club, apart from the sit-in at Garhi Shahu Chowk.
PTI workers chanted slogans against the Punjab government and claimed that the slain activist was not only a party worker but also a candidate in the upcoming local bodies elections. They alleged that the police was involved in politics and threatened to seal the city if culprits are not arrested within 48 hours. The PTI supporters also demanded that local bodies elections and by-elections be held in the city under Rangers’ supervision.
Party leaders also targeted the Punjab inspector general (IG) and threatened to surround the IG office if the police don’t become impartial. The protest resulted in traffic jams on major city roads that lasted a few hours.
RANA SANAULLAH COULD CARE LESS
Commenting on the PTI’s threats, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said that threatening to besiege the IG office is condemnable.
He also said that insulting security institutions is highly deplorable, adding that levelling allegations without verification is the habit of PTI leaders. He added that threatening to close Lahore is tantamount to terrorism, and said the PTI was promoting a culture of ransacking and violence.
