Bilawal, Maryam back PTM

MULTAN: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed solidarity with Pashtun activists of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), saying it is their basic right to hold a meeting at Lahore's Mochi Gate.

Responding to The News queries, he criticised the Punjab government for not allowing the PTM to hold a public meeting in Lahore.

"It is basic right of the Pashtun activists to express their point of view. We stand with the PTM as their demands are genuine and the PPP supports their demands," he added.

Bilawal said the PPP first ordered an inquiry into Naqeebullah Mehsud murder and identified those responsible for the incident. He said the PTM demands about the missing persons, removal of landmines and others were genuine and the party would back all these demands.

INP adds: Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Sunday called on the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) to release the arrested Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leaders.

She took to Twitter to demand the release of all detainees of PTM. “Our Pashtun brothers should be released and they should be allowed to stage their protests.” The administration had refused to grant permission to the PTM for its public gathering at Lahore’s Mochi Gate on Sunday.

The PTM’s request for holding a rally in Lahore on April 22 was rejected due to prevailing security circumstances, the administration stated in a letter. Punjab Police arrested PTM leaders -- Ali Wazir, Bilawal Mandokhel, Muzammil and Ismat Shahjahan, ahead of their rally in Lahore.