The Interior Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday while condemning the attack on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Nasir Chauhan suspended the SHO Johar Town for failing to maintain law and order during the by-elections in constituency PP-167 in Lahore.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers clashed with one another before the by-elections in constituency PP-167 in Lahore on Saturday.
The two sides have accused each other of firing, while sons of the government’s candidate Nasir Chauhan and PTI’s candidate Khalid Gujjar have also been injured in the incident.
During a press conference in Lahore, the Punjab Interior Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the concerned SP will call for report on why weapons were not banned.Nazir Chauhan was fatally attacked, he said.
The Interior Minister explained that candidates are prohibited from displaying and carrying weapon.
The candidate who is most at risk will be given two policemen as guards, he added.
Expressing further concern over the security of the candidates he stated that the manner in which the firing took place was such that Nazir Chauhan’s car was totally smashed. He accused the PTI candidate Khalid Gujjar for attacking the PML-N candidate.
“Strict action will be taken against anyone involved in the firing incident,” said Atta Tarar.
He further said that wherever there is a by-election, there will be strict restrictions on the display of weapons.
On Saturday, son of PTI candidate in PP-167 Khalid Gujjar and son of PML-N candidate Nazir Chohan were injured after a clash erupted as the two parties have launched campaigns in the constituency for the scheduled by-election in July.
The police confirmed the incident and said that the clash occurred between the PML-N and PTI candidates.
PTI candidate Khalid Gujjar claimed that their office in PP167 was attacked by Nazir Chohan who tore apart their banners as his guards opened fire.
“My son got injured after being hit by a vehicle and is currently being treated at Jinnah Hospital,” he said and added that they have submitted a formal request for registration of an FIR against the suspects.
Meanwhile, PML-N candidate has claimed that he was returning home after campaigning when PTI workers opened fire and injured his son.
The ECP has announced schedule for election on 20 provincial seats vacated after defecting MPAs of the PTI were de-seated.
The candidates will be announced election symbols on June 24, while polling will be held on July 17.
