SAHIWAL/LAHORE: The district administration has sealed several businesses belonging to leaders and regional office-bearers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) during the last 24 hours.

The sealed outlets included petrol pumps, private housing colonies, poultry farms, shops etc.

Petrol pumps of Rai Hasan Nawaz, the PTI MNA, on the National Highway and a filling station of Rai Ahmed Nawaz Town at Chak 120/12-L, Chichawatni, were sealed by the local assistant commissioner.

Report said the filling stations of Shakeel Khan Niazi, central leader of PTI, and Asad Khan Baloch, ex-mayor of Sahiwal, and Rana Aftab, the PTI district president, at DPO Chowk, GT Road and City premises, respectively, were sealed.

Admin says operation against illegal housing societies across the board; LHCBA condemns govt action against PTI workers

The Iris Hotel and Iris Resort belonging to Rana Amir Shahzad, PTI ticket-holder from NA-141, was also sealed.

The office of Chaudhry Asif, the local real estate tycoon and owner of the housing scheme, Jewan City, on Madhali Road, was also sealed.

Javed Anwar Gondal, the district planning officer, said he had sealed housing colonies that did not pay their dues for NOCs either to the metropolitan corporation or district council.

He said that Al-Haram Villas at Ada Shabeel and Al-Rehman Town, Chak 142/9-L, were also sealed while a Shahbaz Dhhako family poultry shed was also sealed by the local administration.

Mr Gondal clarified that the operation against illegal housing societies and buildings was launched across the board without any specific agenda on the direction of the deputy commissioner.

LHCBA: The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) on Thursday condemned the government’s action against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers during the Islamabad protest.

Speaking at a general house meeting, LHCBA President Asad Manzoor Butt said the government actions were shameful.

He said the rulers must answer for opening fire on their own citizens, adding that they were “trying to conquer their own people”.

Mr Butt alleged that the prime minister is incompetent, demanding his resignation.

He said the bar will hold the interior minister accountable for every drop of blood and demand his resignation as well.

Supreme Court Bar Association’s Secretary Salman Mansoor said no ruling political party had been given mandate by the people, alleging that the government `used the judiciary’ to get favourable rulings.

He said the protesters in Islamabad were citizens of the country, exercising their fundamental right to hold a political protest, adding that the state must allow the right to dissent.

“Will the government behead those who lose elections?” he asked.

LHCBA’s former president and PTI leader Ahmed Awais stated the Constitution existed in the country, but it was being disregarded.

He said democracy has been dismantled in the country.

He stated that despite dire circumstances, people continue to pay taxes to fund the forces’ budget.

Mr Awais accused the powers-that-be of fabricating lies about May 9 to defame the forces among the common people.

He said even members of the parliament were unaware of the ingredients of the 26th Amendment.

LHCBA former vice president Rabia Bajwa, referring to action against the PTI activists, said the whole world witnessed the “fascism” against political workers.

She regretted that the sacrifices of political workers, particularly by the Pakistan Peoples’ Party, had been disregarded.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2024