SC summons record of under-trial Model Town cases

PAT leader Khurram Nawaz Gandapur also appears before the apex court at Lahore Registry

The Supreme Court on Sunday summoned record of under-trial cases related to the Model Town tragedy from an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore.

A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, heard the case at the Supreme Court's Lahore Registry, Express News reported.

During today's proceedings, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Khurram Nawaz Gandapur also appeared before the bench.



The petitioner, Bisma, daughter of a lady who lost her life during the tragedy, also appeared before the court, saying that the chief justice had ordered the ATC to pass a verdict within three months.

She further added that daily hearings have been counter-productive as all lawyers have withdrawn from the case.

Despite the order of the Supreme Court, she added that the trial is not being completed. She demanded that a decision is taken against Lahore High Court's (LHC) rejection of appeals.

"The CJP maintained that action against LHC's rejection shall be undertaken after the passing of a verdict," she was quoted as saying.



On June 17, 2014, an operation against encroachments was launched in Lahore's Model Town area outside the residence of PAT chief Tahirul Qadri, taking 14 lives away and injuring dozens.

Earlier this month, the LHC had rejected a petition that requested summoning the then prime minister, Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif in the case.