PML-N workers, police clash outside NAB office ahead of Maryam Nawaz's appearance

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LAHORE: PML-N workers and police clashed outside the National Accountability Bureau's office Tuesday, ahead of party leader Maryam Nawaz's visit to the anti-graft body's office. 

To show solidarity, PML-N workers in the form of a procession had accompanied the PML-N leader as she left for the Bureau’s office in Thokar Niaz Baig from Jati Umra.

However, NAB officials told her to head back as the situation deteriorated outside the Bureau's office when party workers and police clashed. In a video that she posted on Twitter, Maryam alleged that police pelted stones at her car which cracked her bulletproof vehicle's windshield. 

In a tweet, the PML-N leader accused police of firing tear gas shells and baton-charging party workers. 

In another video she posted on Twitter showing the cracked windshield of her car, the PML-N leader said,"Pelting stones at my car, police have broken its windshield. This is a bulletproof car and police are pelting stones and shelling [PML-N workers] in front of NAB's office to instigate workers," she said. 

The clash ensued when PML-N workers were trying to remove barricades outside NAB's Lahore office and police tried to stop them. NAB officials conveyed to Maryam that it was not possible to record her statement due to the deteriorating situation outside the Bureau's office. 

'I am standing outside NAB office, will not go back'

Maryam spoke to party workers to say that she had been summoned from her home so that she could be harmed. "I am standing here, if I have been called, then listen to me as well," she said. 

The PML-N leader said that she had arrived outside the Bureau's office to "answer lies" and will not head back home.

However, the doors of the NAB office remain closed and no official of the Bureau has responded to Maryam's statement. 

At first, Maryam's car could be seen heading towards Jati Umra after the message had been conveyed from NAB that proceedings had been postponed. However, her car then stopped outside the NAB office as PML-N workers and party leaders reconvened around her vehicle. 

Earlier, while she was on her way to the NAB office, party workers showered flowers on Maryam's car and chanted slogans in favour of the PML-N leader.

CM Buzdar takes notice of incident

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took notice of the clash and ordered the chief secretary Punjab and IG Punjab Police to submit a report on the matter. 

"No one can be allowed to take the law into their hands," said the chief minister. "Action should be taken against those who violated the law," he added. 

Bilawal condemns 'use of force' against Maryam

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted in support of Maryam, condemning the "use of force" against her and PML-N party workers. 

"Condemn the unnecessary use of force, teargas & stone pelting on @MaryamNSharif & her party workers by police in Lahore today," he tweeted. 

NAB's accusations against Maryam Nawaz

The Bureau has accused Maryam of receiving 200 acres of what was supposed to be government land in Raiwind. The sources said that the transfer was done during DC Noor-ul-Amin Mengal and former DG LDA Ahad Cheema's tenure.

NAB had also summoned Mengal along with the LDA officials of that time with records, sources said.

A tract of land, stretching over 3,568 kanals, was bought by the Sharif family in 2013. The largest part of the property, 1,936 kanals, was transferred in the name of Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif’s mother Shamim Bibi. The land that was transferred to Maryam from that tract was 1,440 kanals.

Sources had added that a 96 kanal plot each was also transferred to former prime minister Nawaz and Shehbaz.