The situation is tense in Islamabad as PTI and its supporters head toward the capital for the Azadi March. There are fears that the long march will turn violent as chances are high of a clash between PTI supporters and the government forces.
Earlier, reports emerged of weapons being recovered from PTI leaders. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz tweeted the news while criticizing PTI’s long march. She shared an image of heavy weaponry allegedly found from PTI members Zubair Niazi and Bajash Niazi.
Read more: Won’t allow PTI march to enter Islamabad: Rana Sanaullah
“Weapons recovered by Punjab Lahore police from vehicles of PTI Lahore office bearers Zubair Niazi and Bajash Niazi. Case registered. This is the ugly face of the so-called long march. These are the intentions,” Maryam Nawaz tweeted.
According to the PML-N leader, six 223 bore guns, 13 SMG rifles, 3 pistols and many boxes of bullets were recovered.
223 bore =6
SMG Rifle=13
Pistol=3
kopay=10
magazines of SMG and 223= 96
magazines of pistols=26
boxes of bullets=50
bigger packs of bullets= 6 https://t.co/j2nIYhnQV7— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) May 25, 2022
However, it turns out the news is fake as Zubair Niazi, who is PTI’s general secretary in Lahore, rejected the claims. He released a video statement where he debased the claims made by Maryam Nawaz.
Zubair Niazi, while rejecting the news said, the guns were picked from the weaponry shop they own and they have all the relevant documentation. He also said no weapons were found from either his home or his vehicle.
تحریک انصاف لاہور کے جنرل سیکرٹری زبیر نیازی نے پنجاب پولیس کی جانب سے انکی گاڑی سے اسلحہ برآمد کرنے کے دعوے کو جھوٹ قرار دے دیا pic.twitter.com/GXm7fFkgz0
— Siasat.pk (@siasatpk) May 25, 2022
Twitteratis troll Maryam Nawaz
Maryam Nawaz, who often comes under heavy fire for spreading incorrect reports, once again became the target of criticism on social media.
“Keep spreading lies. This is Zubair Niazi who is preparing to come to Islamabad with his caravan in Lahore. Your bloody Interior Minister Rana Sana and his personal police officers know the actions of all. All the information is that you people have also planned unrest through banned organizations,” Farrukh Habib, former Minister of State tweeted.
جھوٹ جھوٹ پھلاتے رہو۔ یہ ہے زبیر نیازی جو لاہور میں اپنے قافلہ کیساتھ اسلام آباد آنے کی تیاری کررہا ہے
تمھارا خونی وزیر داخلہ رانا ثنا اور اسکے ذاتی پولیس افسران سب کی کاروائیوں کا پتہ ہے۔ ساری اطلاعات ہے تم لوگ کالعدم تنظیموں کے ذریعے بدامنی کا منصوبہ بھی بنا رکھا ہے https://t.co/M3DNPCUBuW pic.twitter.com/PPNH2KM9oI— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) May 25, 2022
One of Pakistan’s leading journalists Imran Riaz Khan also criticized Maryam Nawaz. He also the weapons were picked directly from the dealers.
Read more: Video: PTI fans came out on street in the night to protest against raids on their leaders
“They [PML-N] have not learned any lesson. I know a lot about weapons. This is a weapon picked up from dealers. Action is being taken on this occasion. I will reveal the dealer and his handlers when I get back to Lahore. Only a few dealers in Lahore trade in these types of weapons illegally with the help of the police,” Imran Riaz tweeted.
انہوں نے کوئی سبق نہیں سیکھا اسلحے کے حوالے سے کافی جانتا ہوں۔ یہ ڈیلرز سے اٹھایا ہوا اسلحہ ہے۔ اس موقع پر کاروائی ڈالی جا رہی ہے۔ واپس لاہور آگر ڈیلر اور اسکے ہینڈلرز کا بھی بتا دوں گا۔ لاہور میں صرف چند ڈیلرز ہی اس ساخت کے اسلحے کا غیر قانونی کاروبار پولیس کی مدد سے کرتے ہیں۔ https://t.co/9V18t84gs2
— Imran Khan (@ImranRiazKhan) May 25, 2022
Meanwhile, Twitteratis also pointed out that Maryam Nawaz’s claim of Bajash Niazi being a PTI member is also false. According to Twitter users, Bajash Niazi, whose family owns Niazi Express, is affiliated with PML-N.
Bajash Niazi Belongs to PMln https://t.co/fwDDqiUEoR
— WarDa Noor💫🩺 (@wardanoor0) May 25, 2022