–Maryam Nawaz files plea in LHC, wants to meet father Nawaz twice a week
LAHORE: Police on Thursday barred Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and workers from meeting the incarcerated supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, leading to a brawl between the police force and party workers outside Kot Lakhpat Jail.
The former premier, who is serving a seven-year jail term in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference, was earlier barred by Punjab government from meeting political leaders of his party.
Dozens of PML-N workers and supporters had gathered outside the main gate of the jail. They even brought chairs and tents to set up a camp outside the prison. But police personnel prevented them from breaching the outer cordon of the jail and had their tables and chairs removed.
Only family members were allowed to meet Nawaz Sharif.
The attitude to the authorities drew a sharp response from party chief Shehbaz. Lashing out at Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said: “I am warning you fascist Imran Khan, cease your fascist tactics and let these supporters meet Nawaz Sharif.”
He warned the premier that he would otherwise be held accountable by the people for his every action.
Senior PML-N leaders, including Shahid Kahqan Abbasi, Khawaja Asif and Ahsan Iqbal, were stopped by policemen as they arrived to meet the detained former PM.
Speaking to the media-persons afterwards, Abbasi said, “Around 40 MPAs and MNAs came to meet Nawaz, but we were stopped from meeting him.”
“The centre of politics Nawaz Sharif is still there. We have seen prison bars and political trickery. We will not step back. We have fought before and will continue to fight,” he added.
MARYAM WANTS TO MEET FATHER TWICE A WEEK:
Meanwhile, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) for permission to meet her father twice a week, instead of Thursdays only.
In her plea, Maryam stated that her father is suffering from heart and other diseases and government is only allowing meeting him once in a week. She pleaded the court to pass judgment ordering government to allow meeting Nawaz Sharif twice a week.
