PM Imran orders removal of police officials 'involved' in Model Town killings

LHC earlier dismissed a PAT's plea seeking to summon PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday ordered the removal of police officials allegedly involved in the Model Town incident in 2014, Express News reported.

On Wednesday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissed a Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) appeal praying upon the court to summon PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif and supremo Nawaz Sharif in the Model Town case.

According to Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, the premier ordered Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar to immediately remove the said police officials.

He issued the directions following a telephonic conversation with Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri.



The two leaders discussed the plan of action following the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision, wherein the premier assured Qadri that the culprits will be brought to justice.

The PM said that delivering justice to innocent citizens who were targeted in broad daylight would be one of the top priorities of the government.

Earlier, talking to media regarding the Model Town incident, Qadri said, "the party has heralded the LHC verdict in the case".

At least 14 people were killed and 100 others injured in police action against PAT workers in Lahore's Model Town area during an 'anti-encroachment operation' on June 17, 2014.

On February 7, 2017, the ATC ruled that former premier Nawaz along with cabinet ministers and political personalities were not guilty of the incident, instead declaring IG Punjab Mushtaq Sukhera including all police personnel at the scene responsible for the tragedy.