Punjab Home Minister warns PML-N workers from reaching Lahore airport

LAHORE: Caretaker Home Minister Shaukat Javed has warned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) activists from reaching the Lahore airport to welcome former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz.

Addressing a press conference, the minister said the PML-N has not asked for any permission to organise a rally, neither have they received any permit. He said the caretaker government was neutral and free from any political affiliation.

He said the provincial administration and police was in contact with the PML-N leadership, and that the party’s activists should not take the law in their own hands. He said the security arrangements made are similar to those by previous governments.

The minister said that the arrest of Nawaz Sharif and his daughter was the responsibility of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

He said that Abdullah Gul interchange was the redline which should not be crossed, and that containers will be placed if there is any damage to public property.

He said the caretaker government was responsible for maintaining law and order, but no permission will be given to take out any rallies, let alone hold any political gathering or power shows.

He said that cellular services were suspended due to the security situation, and that all efforts are being made to maintain peace and law and order.

Javed said that no road leading to the Lahore airport was sealed, and that barricade was placed there much before which cannot be crossed under any circumstances. He said that anti-state elements can take advantage of the situation, while the Lahore airport was in control of federal institutions.

Condemning the terror attacks in Peshawar and Bannu, he said that security arrangement were also made due to the prevailing law and order situation, and any rally by the PML-N will be illegal and no one will be permitted to take the law in their own hands.