LAHORE: Absolving district government of responsibility for deaths during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Multan rally, a three-member committee - constituted to probe the deadly stampede - blamed PTI organisers for not following rules set for the event.
On October 10, seven PTI supporters were killed and dozens more sustained injuries in the stampede triggered by protesters scrambling to exit gates as power supply was disrupted.
Headed by Punjab Secretary Environment Iqbal Chauhan, the committee held PTI management partly responsible for the incident, saying the organisers did not follow the rules of the agreement signed between party and the local administration.
In contrast to PTI allegations, the report termed the tragedy an accident and dismissed accusations that the stampede was a conspiracy by the district administration.
“All five gates, especially the gate where the stampede took place, were open at the time when people were exiting the venue and there was adequate arrangement of lighting at the time of the incident,” the report said.
The committee explained that the stampede occurred when a large number of people tried to exit the venue at once. “In the process, several people fell on the ground and were trampled by others when the exit gate was bottlenecked,” the committee said.
According to the report, the gate was closed – as seen in TV footage – after the incident to let the rescue workers operate smoothly.
Stating that victims were given first aid outside the stadium, the report said a large number of participants, rescue officials and police officials were present there.
On the use of water cannon, the report said it was an attempt to disperse people for smooth rescue operation. “It proved helpful as it did push people away from the gate and helped those trapped at the entrance to move out,” it said.
The committee also said that the district management and police had informed PTI leaders about their reservations but PTI Vice Chairperson Shah Mehmood Qureshi ignored these warnings.
As per the report, ASI Multan police Muhammad Anwer informed Qureshi when people clogged one of the exit gates and he informed other leaders including Ejaz Chaudhary and Imran Khan who were on the stage at that time, after which Imran paused and requested the participants to move away from the gate.
PTI has rejected the report, saying it does not reflect the facts.
The other two members of the probe committee are DIG Aamir and Special Secretary Interior Dr Shoaib Akbar.
COMMENTS (9)
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justice system is doomed in this God forsaken country. Gullu caught on live camera but you need eye witness to testify in court to prove in months long case and this video footage is not admissible and TV showing closed gates but investigation team says they were open....Shame!
@Abdullah:
Considering security situation of Pakistan, only a "brain dead" person will decide to hold a jalsa at a confined place like a stadium because if crowds starts to move then stampede will kill people. You need a proof of that?
Please grow up and accepts facts. Until outcome is what you want you will not believe in it. And those who differ with your opinion are PML (N) supporters - a typical PTI attitude.
Common sense: obviously a government committee will decide in favor of the government and can never be partial. This is like asking a gang of thieves to catch one of their members
Video footage shown on express news clearly showed that gates were locked and people were sprayed with water due to which many slipped and collapsed.
Report is a bunch of lies. Every department is walking on PM foot steps, lie, lie, lie and just lie. Pakistani nation is worst liar in the world.
Videos and eyewitnesses say 5 gates were not opened.
So what we were expecting here, A government formed Committee will blame the government it self for this conspiracy, we are in Pakistan badshahoooo..here a guy smashing cars is given VIP protocol and he comes on TV as a celebrity instead he should be behind the bars, democracy is the best revenge you know..
"A three-member committee, constituted by the Punjab government to probe a deadly stampede at a political rally in Multan..." - what a joke!
It should be a judicial commission. Punjab Govt. blames PTI for everything which they have no control over, here they are a party, it's a no-brainer.
If PTI is involved, they should be taken to a tough task, but the process for determining that should be free and fair, above politics. If the local committee is to be blamed, they should be taken to an equally tough task.
PML-N, it will be a local chapter at fault, it will not affect you or your politics, please do justice for once and take the real culprits to task. Stop politicizing every issue and maligning others just because you can...this is the exact system people have risen up against and more do each day. Please, wake-up, you'll break this nation!
Expected outcome as all investigators were from Govt side. Both parties are equally responsible PTI for being complacent and Govt machinery for being lame.
As expected. This is what our politicians call "Saaf and Shafaaf" I think both should be blamed.