*LONDON: Maryam Nawaz Sharif demanded the law enforcement agencies torelease the arrested Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement leaders*, who have beenalleged by law enforcement and intelligence agencies to be carrying outanti state agenda.

Punjab Police arrested PTM leaders Ali Wazir, Bilawal Mandokhel, Muzammiland Ismat Shaagen jahan ahead of their rally in Lahore.

They had reached Lahore for a rally scheduled on Sunday.

“Our Pashtun brothers should be released and they should be allowed tostage their protests,” Maryam tweeted.

پشتون بھائیوں کو فوری رہا کیا جانا چاہیے اور جلسہ کی اجازت دی جانی چاہیے۔یہ ملک اتنا ہی ان کا ہے جتنا ہم سب کا۔

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 21, 2018link>

ظلم و زیادتی کے خلاف اٹھنے والی آوازوں کو زبردستی دبانے کی کوشش نہ کبھیکامیاب ہوئی ہے نہ ہو گی۔ وجوہات کا سدِباب کیا جائے۔ link

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 21, 2018link>

The administration has refused to grant permission to Pashtun TahaffuzMovement 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 rejecteddue to “prevailing security circumstances”.

Ali Wazir, a member of PTM, in a statement appealed the people of Lahore togather at Mochi Gate to learn about the ordeal Pashtuns were going throughin war-hit areas.

“We want to give details that don’t reach you due to media censorship,” thePTM member said.

Various civil rights groups, including Lahore Left Front, Joint ActionCommittee and Women Action Forum, have announced support for PTM’s event.

“We have informed the police that come what may we will hold Jalsa at MochiGate,” a member of Left Front said.