PM's nephew's residence raided

Punjab police raided the house of Prime Minister Imran Khan's nephew on Saturday in Lahore, after a video emerged showing him taking part in deadly hospital riots days earlier. TV channels ran footage showing Khan's nephew Hassan Niazi, a lawyer, at the hospital and watching as a police vehicle was set on fire.

"The Prime Minister of Pakistan's nephew's house and other premises, such as farmhouse and business places were raided," Punjab's Minister for Information Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan confirmed at a press conference on Saturday.

Chohan, who said five locations had been investigated by police, added: "He will be arrested at any cost... all are equal in the eye of law."

A senior police official also confirmed to AFP the raid was made early Saturday morning, but Niazi was not present.

In an earlier, now-deleted tweet, Khan's nephew had expressed support for the rally but later distanced himself from the actions of the lawyers present.

"My support and protest was limited to initiation of legal action against the concerned doctors. I only stand for peaceful protests. It's sad day and I condemn my own self for supporting this protest now," he tweeted.

Around 80 lawyers have been arrested and Khan - who has not commented on his nephew - has ordered an inquiry into the riot.-AFP Br staff reporter adds: Talking to media, the minister said: "In Naya Pakistan, those who vandalized the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) will not be spared. Hassaan Niazi is Hafizullah Niazi's son first and Imran Khan's nephew later and the government is taking action against him with full force."

Fayyaz said, "Several suspects involved in the PIC assault are detained and some lawyers have been produced before the court as well. The government is bringing a security bill for the safety of hospitals, doctors and paramedical staff which will soon be approved by the assembly," he said. "The PIC is functional now. Shelling by police was carried on Jail Road, not on the PIC and I reached the scene to stop it."

According to him, the number of casualties could have increased had the shelling not been stopped. "Lawyers, doctors and people from other communities are respectable for us and we need to establish the writ of the government. I put my life in danger to save 15 lawyers."

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar's son, brother or any other relative has not been made incharge of any programme. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has problem with Usman Buzdar's efforts, he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister's nephew Hassan Niazi was formally nominated in Punjab Institute of Cardiology incident by the local police. In a supplementary report, Niazi has been nominated for vandalism and participating in burning of a police vehicle. He was nominated in the First Information Report (FIR) after three days of the incident.