LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)leader Maqbool Gujjar was escorted out of L ahore for violating a ban placed on his entry here on Saturday.

The Punjab government had barred PTI leaders Ali Amin Gandapur and Gujjar, Azad Kashmir Assembly member, from entering the province over a concern that they might cause unrest during by-elections on July 17 (Sunday).

DIG Operations Sohail Chaudhry told media that the AJK lawmaker was in Lahore despite a ban on him due to the by-polls.

According to the government`s notice, PTI leaders are barred from entering Punjab from July 15 to 18 but Gujjar entered Lahore on Saturday and he was arrested and later escorted out of the city on a government order. Punjab Home Minister Ataullah Tarrar released a video statement and said Gujjar and Gandapurwere trying to enter Punjab despite being barred, showing their `nefarious intentions`.

`The PTI leaders trying to enter Punjab have revealed their bad intentions,` said Tarar, adding that it was feared that armed groups from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would enter Punjab.

`Their intention was to spread violence during the by-elections. No one carrying arms will be allowed to enter the province under any circumstances,` he added.

The home minister said it`s Punjab government`s responsibility to maintain law and order situation during the elections. `Punjab Police, Rangers and other law-enforcement agencies will strictly stop those trying to disrupt peace,` he added.

Former Punjab CM Usman Buzdar said no province could close its borders on the citizens belonging to other regions. He said the Supreme Court should take immediate action against this `violation` of the Constitution.