The Pakistani Spectator

Activists of the PML-N and the PML-Q clashed with each other during the election campaign for PP-111, Gujrat, by-polls here on Sunday.

MNA Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed and other PML-N leaders, along with party workers, were passing through the Main Muslim Bazaar in connection with the election campaign of the party candidate, Haji Imran Zafar, when they came across a group of PML-Q activists near Timble Bazaar. Both sides exchanged harsh word on the issue of raising slogans against each other and tearing of posters. They scuffled for a while before the policemen intercepted and calmed down the situation.

Following the clash, traders closed their shops. The PML-Q traders alleged the PML-N workers attacked them and injured two traders.

PML-Q Punjab President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and PML-Q nominee, Imran Masood, reached the spot to condemn the incident. They addressed protesters at the Circular Road, in front of the Shahdaula Gate police picket. Pervaiz said they would register an FIR against Saad Rafiq, Khurram Dastgir, Haji Nasir Mehmood and Pervaiz Rasheed.

Meanwhile, the PML-N leaders — Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed and Khurram Dastgir — in a joint news conference, rejected the allegations. Saad said the PML-Q workers abused the N-League members first, which they put up with patience. He said Pervaiz Elahi was master of registering fake cases. He said Pervaiz had started cheap tactics to win voters’ sympathies.

An application has been submitted by the PML-Q trader, Sheikh Waqar Waheed, to the B-Division Police Station for registration of a case against Saad Rafique, Pervaiz Rasheed, Khurram Dastgir and others.

Our Lahore correspondent adds: The PML-Q gave a call for a complete strike of traders all across Gujrat today, in reaction to the alleged hooliganism of Khwaja Saad Rafiq and PML-N activists against the supporters of the PML-Q.

Source: News