RAWALPINDI: PML-N workers on Sunday staged a protest in the garrison city against the behaviour of PTI supporters in Masjid-i-Nabwi.

More than 300 workers, led by PML-N leader and former mayor of Rawalpindi Sardar Naseem Khan, ex-members provincial assembly (MPA) Raja Hanif, Rahat Qudusi, Javed Mughal, Shakeel Awan participated in the protest. They were chanting slogans in favour of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and against PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

Addressing the participants, Mr Khan said the behaviour of PTI workers in the mosque was condemnable. They should not have mistreated Information Minister Mariyum Aurangzeb.

He said the PTI supporters involved in the incident did not show respect for women or the fact that they were in a mosque, adding it was strange that these people had forgotten norms and Pakistani traditions.

He alleged that the former interior minister was also involved in the incident.

“Sheikh Rashid’s nephew Rashid Shafique was seen encouraging such behaviour in a video message,” he added.

He said all those involved in the act should be punished.

PM’s aide blames Imran

RAWALPINDI: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Hanif Abbasi on Sunday said Imran Khan was responsible for the incident at Masjid-i-nabwi (SAW).

Addressing his first press conference after becoming the special assistant, Mr Abbasi said the former interior minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, and his nephew Rashid Shafique were involved in the incident.

“Being a Muslim, nobody can think of violating the sanctity of theHarrambut this shows the mentality of the PTI leadership which incited their workers to do it,” Mr Abbasi said.

“It is a shameful act and legal action is necessary for the sanctity of Masjid-i-nabwi (peace be upon him),” he added.

He said cases should be registered against those who defiled and insulted the Masjid-i-nabwi so that no one could dare commit such a mistake in future. He held former prime minister Imran Khan and Sheikh Rashid Ahmed responsible for trying to spread anarchy in the country and said “we gave respect to all institutions and know how to protect them”.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was working day and night to bring down inflation that was a result of the incompetence of Imran Khan, adding that electricity loadshedding was also due to the previous government’s mismanagement which would be overcome soon.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2022