A case has been registered against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership including its vice president Maryam Nawaz, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, Mariyum Aurangzeb and Malik Waseem Khokhar for causing irreparable damage to national heritage following its Minar-e-Pakistan rally on Sunday (December 13), say media reports.
The case, which has been lodged on the complaint of a security officer, has been registered at Larri Ada police station in Lahore.
The FIR stated that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the 11-party opposition alliance which organised the rally, caused irreparable damage to the sanctity of Minar-e-Pakistan. The FIR includes 15 counts of violations, including a violation of COVID-19 SOPs and the Sound System Act. The FIR further said that the PDM administration broke the gate and fences of the Greater Iqbal Park and forcibly entered the park for making arrangements for the rally. The FIR read that the tiles of the park’s floor and track were smashed to install flex and searchlights.
Meanwhile, the Parks and Horticulture Authority has imposed a Rs 10 million fine on the PDM for holding its Lahore rally and damaging the park. The authority said that the iron fences around the park were broken, the grass was uprooted and expensive plants were destroyed during the opposition rally. Different parts of the ground were dug to erect lights. It estimated the losses to be Rs 10 million. The authority said that the PDM has been given three days to submit the amount, adding that otherwise legal action will be taken against it.
On the other hand, Marriyum Aurangzeb, who is PML-N spokesperson, flayed the FIR registration and said that the FIR is the proof of the panic and fear of those who stole the public mandate. Marriyum further stated that that PM Imran Khan cannot hide behind fake FIRs.
The PDM held its rally in Lahore despite the fact that the authorities denied permission for it.
