PAT make Punjab a battlefield,Held hostage 4 cops in Lahore,15 in Jehlum

Lahore: Clashes between police and PAT workers continue to disturb law and order across the province. Three policemen have been made hostage outside the residence of Dr Tahir ul Qadri by the workers of Pakistan Awami Tehreek in Model Town area of Lahore.

PAT workers took one sub-inspector and three constables into their custody. The cops will be released after investigation, the workers told the media. Awami Tehrik workers said they will take more policemen hostage if “provoked” and demanded the release of their arrested colleagues in exchange for the policemen.

Police personnel in custody of PAT members said they were going to their duty points when Awami Tehrik workers ambushed them, snatching away their arms as well as other possessions.

In Jhelum , PAT workers were holding 15 police personnel hostage following a clash in Pind Dadan Khan town. The policemen were taken hostage after the workers thwarted the barriers fixed to restrict their movement in the area. Police had also fired tear gas shells on protesters due to which several demonstrators became unconscious.

In Mianwali and Sargodha, policemen, including a DSP, were taken hostage by protesters. A police station was set on fire in Khushab and arms and other government property were looted from one in Sargodha.The police station is located in Quiadabad area of Khushab. Police officers fled the police station when the PAT workers stormed it.Three prisoners, charged with dacoity, were also able to flee as the PAT workers wrecked the police station.

The clashes continued periodically between workers and protesters after a showdown between law-enforcement personnel and the PAT began on Friday — much before it was expected — when hundreds of club-wielding PAT workers attempted to break through the police cordon and remove barricades put around the Model Town locality housing Tahir ul Qadri’s residence and offices.

Responding to Qadri’s call made while talking to media earlier in the day in which he had asked the people to take to the streets for a final push to oust the rulers, activists from various towns across Punjab tried to reach Lahore.
Clashes between activists and police took place in Faisalabad, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Khushab, Okara and Sargodha after authorities were asked not to allow any caravan to reach the provincial capital.