PTI Chief Imran Khan, during a rally. – File Photo by AFP

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday took notice of the excise department which sealed the main office of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) located at Jail Road and ordered to reopen the office.

Earlier in the day, excise and taxation authorities sealed the office, reportedly due to non-payment of the property tax.

According to Punjab excise department sources, the step was taken due to non-payment of Rs 350,000 tax for which multiple reminders were issued to the party office.

Talking to APP, PTI spokesman Ishtiaq Malik alleged that property tax officer Mian Asif had taken the extreme step without any notice and the staff of excise department used harsh language with the women who were present in the office at that time.

Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid, president PTI Lahore region told media that Punjab government, feeling under pressure by rising popularity of PTI, was using such tactics against it.

He claimed that PTI never violated laws and legal provisions and regretted that Punjab government has set resorted to negative practice, against the spirit of democracy, by taking action against a political party.

He added that the party might go to Lahore High Court against this action.

Secretary General of PTI Dr Arif Alvi said that the fascist tactics being employed by the PML-N leadership and their paid attendants would not deter the PTI and its leadership from continuing to fight the case of the people of Pakistan and redouble their efforts for bringing about the mush- desired change in the way the country is being governed.