LAHORE: The Punjab government on Friday undertook before the Lahore High Court that workers of PML-N had not been arrested ahead of the opposition’s power show in Gujranwala.

Advocate General of Punjab Ahmed Awais stated this during hearing of a petition by the lawyers’ wing of the PML-N against alleged arrests of the party workers and blockade of roads by erecting containers.

Mr Awais said the local administration had already given permission to the opposition to hold the public meeting. He assured the court that no supporter of the PML-N had been arrested, nor was anyone being barred from participating in the public gathering. He further said that roads would not be blocked.

However, the top law officer said, the government would take action only in case anybody took law into hands.

Advocate Rana Asadullah Khan, the counsel for lawyers’ forum, said the government released the party workers and removed roadblocks late at night and it was forced to negotiate with opposition parties after the court took up the petition. The counsel also expressed satisfaction over the undertaking given by the AGP.

At this, Justice Masud Abid Naqvi disposed of the petition.

Speaking to the media, AGP Awais said the PML-N was habitual of levelling allegations without any evidence. He said the leaders of the PML-N just gave laughable statements with no proof. He said the government would deal with lawlessness with an iron hand.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2020