Elected representatives should not resign in protest, tweeted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif?s daughter Maryam Nawaz on Monday.

Maryam apparently posted over Federal Minister for Interior Affairs Ahsan Iqbal?s reaction to deployment of Rangers without his permission, in which he said he would resign than being a 'puppet minister'.

On Monday, Iqbal was stopped by Rangers personnel from entering the accountability court where Nawaz?s hearing was under way. In a subsequent address to the media, the interior minister said Rangers are subordinate to his ministry.

?They?re supposed to work under the command of the civil administration. If Rangers have refused to observe orders, a high-level inquiry will be held and we will see who has challenged the writ of the government,? he said. ?A force that is subordinate to me has to follow my orders. There cannot be two states [within a state].?

Earlier, Iqbal explained that it is the right of Nawaz's supporters, legal aides and media to attend the hearing as "closed trials are a hallmark of martial laws".

He said the commissioner had made special arrangements for those who wanted to attend the hearing as space is limited.

Iqbal, who is the head of paramilitary forces, including Rangers, was accompanied by State Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry and others.