From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Chuhang police have incorporated terrorism charges in an FIR registered against PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, party leaders and supporters over a violent clash with law enforcers outside NAB Lahore office.
An anti-terrorism court will hear the matter after inclusion of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the case. Over 50 party supporters arrested following the clash have already been granted bail by an ordinary court.
However, Maryam and other party leaders, including Rana Sanaullah, have not yet obtained bail.
Meanwhile, the PML-N leadership has decided to challenge the police’s decision of adding terrorism charges to the case in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
On Aug 11, violence erupted outside the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office as PML-N workers and police contingents clashed shortly after the arrival of Maryam Nawaz there in a land acquisition case.
Many people, including policemen and NAB officials, were injured and more than 50 arrested after police fired tear gas and baton-charged the PML-N workers after they started pelting he personnel and the NAB office with stones.
Meanwhile, an accountability court here on Wednesday adjourned the Narowal Sports City case against PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal and others until September 22.
Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir allowed the former federal minister and other accused to appear in court at their own will until the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) files a reference in the case.
Over the course of the hearing, Ahsan Iqbal’s lawyer slammed the national graft buster saying it has failed to file a reference despite arresting his client who remained in the bureau’s custody and was later sent to prison on judicial remand.
He said the NAB chairman also failed to come up with explanation on delay in filing the reference.
The judge asked the NAB prosecutor as to why the reference against Ahsan Iqbal was not filed yet, to which he replied that the reference was sent to Headquarters for approval and will be filed once it is approved.
Ahsan is accused of using funds of the federal government and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for a sports city in Narowal.
NAB had announced to initiate a probe into alleged violation of rules in the construction of the National Sports City project – a day after its inauguration by the then President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain.
