LAHORE: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers on Monday turned violent and clashed with Airport Security Force (ASF) officials at Lahore Airport when they were stopped from entering the passenger lounge to welcome the party’s newly appointed central Punjab president Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and provincial secretary general Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, DawnNews reported.

It was PPP leaders’ first visit to Lahore after their appointment. Three ASF officials were reportedly injured during the scuffle.

The party workers, equipped with sticks, were chanting slogans and appeared to lose control when they were stopped from entering the passenger lounge to welcome their leaders.

A heavy contingent of police reached the airport to calm the workers and tried to restore order in the area.

The situation disrupted operation of the airport forcing authorities to get the domestic passengers out through international arrival lounge.

Federal Minister for Regulations and Services Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Integration Samina Khalid Ghurki, Dr Asim Hussain, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Shabina Riaz, Faiza Malik, Ambassador for Orphan Children Jahanara Wattoo and others were also present at the airport.

A large number of party workers from Okara, Mureedkay, Sahiwal, Sialkot and other districts came to welcome the new Punjab president of the PPP.

Later, Mian Manzoor Wattoo was taken to Nasir Bagh in a big procession where he addressed a public gathering.