Federal govt scared of PML-N’s rising popularity: Maryam Nawaz

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz strongly condemned the PTI-led federal government and said that Centre was scared of PML-N’s rising popularity.

Addressing a hard-hitting press conference after the clash between PML-N workers and the police, Maryam Nawaz terms today’s incident an act of state-sponsored terrorism. “Not for me or the PML-N, it is a moment to ponder for the ‘fake and selected’ government,” she added.

Maryam Nawaz asserted that the unarmed party workers present near the NAB office were shelled with tear gas and baton-charged. “For the first time, I saw stoning and tear-gas but the workers remained steadfast,” she remarked.

She also called her guards ‘unsung heroes’ and said that she could not initially ascertain where the stones were being hurled from. “I narrowly escaped a head injury or similar accident,” she claimed.

 “Pervaiz Rasheed was alongside me and informed that thankfully the car was bulletproof otherwise the stones and bricks would have hit my head,” she added. “NAB called me at the place of vengeance and told me to return after the scuffle broke out.

The PML-N vice present further said, “Former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah has assured to provide legal assistance to the arrested and detained workers.”

Commenting on the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s upcoming All-Parties Conference, Maryam said, “If Maulana Sahab has any reservations; the PML-N will remove them. No need to worry about this.”

Maryam Nawaz informed that Nawaz Sharif had instructed the party leadership to follow and cooperate with other Opposition parties to present a united front.

‘Organized Hooliganism’

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has strongly condemned the PML-N workers’ organized hooliganism outside its office and decided to file an FIR against them and PML-N leaders.

According to a press release, the accountability watchdog said, “Maryam had been summoned in a personal capacity to record her statement but instead of appearing, she displayed hooliganism in an organised manner through PML-N workers by pelting stones and creating disorder.”

The statement informed, “On NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal’s instructions, it has been decided that a first information report (FIR) will be filed against PML-N leaders and workers for interfering with the state’s work.”