Maryam’s hearing called off as PML-N workers protest outside NAB office

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has cancelled the appearance of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz due to massive protests outside the bureau’s office in Lahore.

Maryam Nawaz was set to appear before the NAB Lahore office for questioning in connection with its probe into a case related to illegally acquiring hundreds of acres of land in Raiwind.

PML-N workers accompanied her in the form of a procession to express solidarity as she left for the NAB office in Thokar Niaz Baig from her residence in Jati Umra, Raiwand.

According to reports, NAB officials told her to head back as the situation deteriorated outside their office. PML-N activists clashed with police leading to aerial firing and protests while there was complete chaos outside the NAB office.

In a video she posted on Twitter, Maryam alleged that police had pelted stones at her car which had dented her bulletproof vehicle’s windshield. 

Police attacking my car. Imagine if it were not a bullet proof vehicle. Shame. pic.twitter.com/VtQLJlXFhr

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 11, 2020

Earlier, Maryam visited her mother’s graves and was preparing to arrive at NAB office when the hearing was cancelled.  PML-N workers showered flowers on Maryam’s car and chanted slogans in her favour.

The daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was supposed to be quizzed by the bureau. There was stringent security with police personnel deployed outside the bureau’s Lahore office to avoid any untoward incident.

The party leadership has instructed workers to turn up outside NAB office and the Raiwind residence and set up camps along the route to express solidarity with her.

NAB had asked Maryam to show up before its combined investigation team on 11th August along with details of 200 hundred acres of land acquired in violation of rules.

She was required to furnish complete details regarding the sale and purchase of land as well as funds arranged for acquiring the land. The bureau had asked her to submit details of duty and tax payment for the purchase of the land.

The NAB also decided to investigate former DCO Noorul Amin Mengal and LDA chairman Ahad Cheema. NAB Lahore had opened an investigation in May against the Sharif family for illegally acquiring hundreds of acres of land in Raiwind.