Shoe hurled at Hamza in Lahore rally

LAHORE: An alleged PTI supporter hurled his shoe at former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shehbaz during a public rally in NA-118 on Saturday.

Hamza was visiting his constituency NA-118 on Saturday evening when the incident occurred. PMLN workers and supporters present at the spot caught the shoe thrower and thrashed him. However, the young man, so far unidentified, was taken to a nearby house by local PMLN leaders to save his life from the angry mob. Later, the videos of beating of the young man by the mob went viral on the social media. Videos of the shoe were also seen. 

It may be recalled that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had also faced a similar shoe attack in March 2018 at the Jamia Naeemia when he was about to make an address. Police have taken the attacker in its custody and started investigations into his affiliation with any political or religious party. 

Earlier, PMLN workers and leaders brought a lion cub on the stage set at Kotwali Chowk. A horse dance with drum beating was presented when Hamza reached the venue. 

It is pertinent to be mentioned that PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif had categorically directed his party supporters not to bring real animals to any rally or public meeting. Nawaz passed these directions two days earlier when he visited his constituency NA-130 and came to know that two lions had been brought there. Nawaz directed PMLN leader Bilal Yasin to immediately return the lions. At that time, Nawaz said the religion of Islam and laws related to animals “advise us to respect the rights of animals”. PMLN Secretary Information and former federal minister Marriyum Aurengzeb also tweeted that statement and directions of Nawaz Sharif.

Earlier, Hamza addressed locals and told them the main points of his party’s manifesto. He said the PMLN after coming to power would implement the manifesto. He said the PMLN was the only party which presented a real manifesto and always fulfilled its promises.