PML-N supporters violate section-144 on Sharif's arrival in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Amid the imposition of section 144 in the federal capital over security concerns on arrival of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the city administration and police remained inattentive and apathetic towards crowds of the ruling party supporters who took to roads to express their solidarity with the ousted premier.

Section 144 has been imposed in the federal capital in the wake of Sharif’s arrival over security concerns. Nawaz Sharif early today arrived here to chair a key party meeting at Punjab House.

After his ouster as Prime Minister (PM) in the Panama Papers case by Supreme Court of Pakistan, Sharif had vacated PM House in Islamabad and moved to Murree last Sunday along with other family members.

Chairing consultative meetings with party members at his Murree residence over several political issues, it was Sharif’s first visit to Islamabad after his disqualification.

A large number of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters gathered and surrounded his convoy at various places on his way to the federal capital, violating Section-144.

Meanwhile, Sharif intermittently alighted from his car and waved his hands in response to the party supporters during his travel.

People escorting Nawaz Sharif’s car on our way back from Murree. It was unannounced. pic.twitter.com/vCembuPo5f

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 5, 2017

The city administration and federal police remained silent spectator in the entire episode despite heavy deployment in the capital city.

As many as 8000 police personnel and 50 teams of Elite Force had been deployed at different locations to avoid any untoward situation.

On the flip side, a woman near to Sharif’s convoy chanted ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogan while lauding the judiciary’s disqualification judgment.