LAHORE: Six leaders of the United Demo­cratic Front including Vice-President Nawab­zada Nasrullah Khan and Malik Mohammad Qasim, Secretary-General of the Pakistan Muslim League, were arrested here this afternoon [Aug 26] in front of the Pakistan Jamhoori Party Headquarters for defying section 144. Cr PC. Other arrested leaders are Poet Habib Jalib (National Awami Party) Maulana Sher Mohammad (Jamiat Ulemai Islam), Maulana Saleemullah and Sahibzada Faizul Qadri (Jamiatul Ulemai Pakistan).

…They were carrying placards with slogans like “Restore Fundamental Rights”, “Lift Emergency Forthwith”, “Rehabilitate Immediately Flood Victims” and “Down with Goondaism”. The people standing on either side of the road gave them an enthusiastic ovation. The UDF workers shouted full throated slogans in support of the Front’s demands.

The Police pushed back the procession towards Nicholson Road. It snatched away the placards and put the UDF leaders in a bus, which however failed to start. It was then pushed by the Police and the UDF workers. The latter also fired crackers to give their leaders a “hearty send off”. Before coming out on the road … the UDF leaders offered “Asr” prayers. … — News agencies

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2023