05 January 2005	Wednesday	23 Ziqa'ad 1425

LAHORE, Jan 4: PPP leaders on Tuesday hoisted a party flag at the "Bilawal House", which marked the opening of the residence of Ms Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari in the Punjab capital.

The seven-kanal residence (63-Sher Khan Road) near the old airport, has four bed rooms and spacious lawns. Secretary General Jehangir Badar, provincial president Qasim Zia, former secretary-general Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, deputy information secretary Altaf Qureshi, Federal Council Secretary General Khalid Kharal, provincial information secretary Naveed Chaudhry, Ms BHutto's spokesman Munawwar Anjum, Lahore President Haji Azizur Rehman Chan, Foreign Liaison Committee leader Munir Ahmed Khan and a number of other office-bearers and legislators were present on the occasion.

The participants had just taken their lunch and some of them were taking a round of the house their leaders would use during their stay in the city that an unpleasant incident took place.

Some office-bearers of the youth wing came to blows, and then threw empty bottles at each other. This prompted one of them to take out his mauser, creating panic among those present.

Though timely intervention by some party officials brought the situation under control, the organizers of the function had to face some embarrassment as the ugly incident had taken place on the very first day. Some people received injuries.

A statement issued by Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said those involved in the incident were 'miscreants' and the party had nothing to do with them. "We know very well who they are. The government and agencies should desist from such tactics," the statement said.

Speaking on the occasion, Jehangir Badar said the Bilawal House would be a centre of excellence for the party workers. He criticized the Punjab chief minister for reportedly opposing Asif Ali Zardari's plan to come to Punjab or have a residence in Lahore.