Model Town clashes:Judicial tribunal summons victims

The four victims, who have been asked to record their statements on July 4, are still undergoing treatment.

LAHORE: The judicial tribunal probing the Model Town clashes have summoned four people who were injured during the incident to record their statements on July 4.

The injured, victims of the clashes which broke between police and Pakistan Awami Tehreek supporters on June 17, are undergoing medical treatment at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore.

Justice Ali Baqar Najfi, heading the tribunal, ordered for the appearance of the victims after the medical superintendent (MS) of Jinnah Hospital informed that they were fit for recording their statements.

The MS further said that on the day of the clashes, 23 people were admitted at the hospital out of which three died during treatment, 16 were discharged and four are under treatment at the orthopedic unit. The summoned victims, identified as Waqas, Haroon, Meraj Din and Arsalan, are to be discharged soon.

Opposition to tribunal

Advocate Aftab Ahmed Bajwa questioned the legality of the tribunal, at which Justice Najfi told him to not appear before the tribunal if he has objections over its constitution.

“I am here under the mandate of law,” said Najfi.

Bajwa further requested the tribunal for a decision on his applications for the provision of records of affidavits and statements of different government functionaries before the tribunal.

He also requested the tribunal to pass an order on his application for registration of FIR against police officers and government officials, including the Punjab chief minister .

However, the tribunal adjourned and said the decisions would be made on Thursday.

Another lawyer, Advocate Shabnam Nagi suggested that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif must be arrested and suspended for an impartial inquiry. She said that more than two weeks have passed but the tribunal has not produced results.

Abdullah Malik, a rights activist, appearing before the tribunal, suggested that police should be directed to arrest their colleagues who were responsible for the killings.