SHEIKHUPURA, April 23: Nankana Sadar police on Saturday registered cases against 44 PPP leaders and activists for violating section 144. Prominent among those booked were Punjab PPP president Qasim Zia, Malik Mushtaq Awan, Rai Salimullah Bhatti and Shah Nawaz Bhatti. They were charged with taking out a procession led by Qasim Zia on April 12 in Nankana Sahib in connection with a mass contacted campaign to welcome Asif Ali Zardari.

Later, they gathered at the residence of Rai Salimullah Bhatti in Nankana Sahib and delivered provocative speeches against the rulers.