World

Pakistan protest: Police hunt PM Imran Khan's nephew over deadly hospital riot

December 14, 2019 3:53 am

Police in Pakistan says they are seeking to arrest PM Imran Khan’s nephew for taking part in a violent protest at a hospital in which three patients died.

Lahore police raided Hassan Niazi’s residence and say he may now be hiding.

Mr Niazi was among several hundred lawyers who ransacked a city hospital in a dispute with doctors. Riot police had to be called in to restore order.

Article continues after advertisement

Images of lawyers – in suits and ties – assaulting staff and damaging property prompted shock and condemnation.

Photos and videos of Hassan Niazi were widely shared on social media, as people lined up to criticise the lawyers.
Mr Niazi has admitted taking part in the violence at Lahore’s Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) and said on Twitter he regretted it.
From his uncle, who tweets often, there has been no mention of the furore over his family’s link to Wednesday’s violence.

Mr Khan’s nephew is prominent in footage of the attack, and can be seen participating in physical assaults as well as an arson attack in which a police van was set on fire.