WHAT happened on the occasion of appearance of PML(N) leader Maryam Nawaz before Lahore office of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday was unfortunate and avoidable. The showdown between PML(N) workers, who accompanied their leader to the NAB office and police resulted in chaotic situation as many people, including some officials, were injured and around 50 men were rounded up after police fired teargas besides hurling back stones at the activists.
The two sides are blaming each other for the ugly situation but video clips show restraint was not exercised by either side. Spokespersons of the provincial government say PML(N) leaders and workers brought plastic bags full of stones in their vehicles but police was also seen pelting stones on vehicles of the opposition leaders including Maryam Nawaz. PML(N) used the opportunity to show its muscles in the backdrop of prevailing impression that the opposition was suppressed and clueless. There was hardly any justification for bringing huge crowds to courts and in case it was a political necessity then it was responsibility of the leadership to ensure that workers remain peaceful. There was also need for exercising utmost care as sentiments prevail against the Bureau the reputation of which was tarnished with the recent verdict of the Supreme Court. There are grievances that the opposition leaders are being targeted in the name of accountability and some of them are sent behind bars on flimsy grounds. Under these circumstances, proper and transparent security arrangements should be made on such occasions to avoid any confrontation.
