GUJRAT: Police have booked at least 25 PML-N workers after a clash between the supporters of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the PML-N in ward 2 of Kharian Cantonment board three days after the polling held on Sunday (Sept 12).

Police have arrested at least two of the nominated suspects and started investigation into the case.

However, the local PML-N leaders have termed the registration of case a political victimisation and blamed the police for not filing a case on their application.

Police didn’t act against PTI men

Reports said the election offices of Dr Naseer Chohan (PTI) and Sadaqat Butt of PML-N were located in front of each other in ward 2 due to which there had been tension between their supporters. And the situation aggravated when the PTI supporters reportedly chanted slogans in front of the PML-N office after winning the election. Consequently, supporters of both parties clashed and later on Gulliana police station had lodged a case against at least 10 nominated, including the PML-N ticket holder and his other family members, as well as 15 unidentified workers under sections 452, 354, 506, 147 and 149 of Pakistan Penal Code on the report of Muhamad Younis advocate, the maternal uncle of PTI councillor-elect Dr Chohan.

The complainant alleged that the suspects had attacked the election office of PTI and fled. Police said they had arrested two suspects and were investigating the matter on merit.

Meanwhile, the PML-N leaders said the PTI men had attacked their office and also injured their workers but police did not register case on their complaint and implicated the opposition activists through a ‘fabricated’ story whereas the PTI had set up its election office days after the establishment of PML-N office.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2021