Dasti declared innocent in ‘DHQ violence’ case

Dasti sees verdict as victory for truth, says it will help his fight against feudals.

DERA GHAZI KHAN: People’s Party MNA Jamshed Dasti was declared innocent by an anti-terrorist court on Wednesday in a case accusing him of beating up doctors and paramedics of Muzaffargarh district headquarters (DHQ) hospital.

Speaking to media at the court premises, Dasti said the decision was a victory of truth.

He said he had gone to the hospital to control the situation.

“Being a representative of the people, it was my duty to prevent the law and order situation from deteriorating,” he said.

He said his foremost concern was to ensure peace and rule of law at Muzaffargarh. He said others accused in the case would also soon be acquitted.

Dasti said there were several false cases registered against traders and other innocent citizens by local feudals. He said he would continue his struggle against these influential landlords.

Dasti’s counsel, Dera Ghazi Khan district bar president Malik Iqbal Saqib said the case was political motivated. “The decision proves that Mr Dasti is a law abiding citizen.”

Dasti said that a case lodged against former nazim, Mian Arshad Rind, accusing him of causing a breach in the Abbaswala dyke was also false. He said he had taken up the issue on the floor of the National Assembly. He said he would also request the Punjab chief minister to check the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2011.