PAT seeks new JIT to probe Model Town massacre

CJP Nisar issues notice to Punjab govt, prosecution for advice

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar accepting plea of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)’s victim Bisma Amjad for constituting an influence-free Joint Investigation Team (JIT) over Model Town massacre issued notices to Punjab government and prosecution to know whether or not another JIT could be formed at this stage.

“No doubt this matter has been delayed and it should not have happened,” the country’s top judge remarked when Dr Tahirul Qadri expressed sorrow over the delay. “We are here to address the grievances so tell us what the court can do for Bisma,” CJP Nisar asked the PAT chief who took the rostrum to speak over her case.

A two-judge bench, headed by CJP Nisar was hearing the petition at SC Lahore Registry while Justice Ijazul Ahsan was the other member on the bench. Bisma had sought formation of new JIT and direction to the ATC to hold trial proceedings twice in a week.

Qadri revealed the then JIT, that had been constituted in an FIR registered against them, had given a dissenting note recommending the FIR should be quashed. He implored it is regrettable that this dissenting note had not been made part of record by the then government.

Raising questions over JIT’s conduct, he contended around 4,000 family members of PAT workers had been arrested by the police and there was carnage everywhere. He said over 100 schools of Minhajul Quran had been bulldozed; shops, houses were also demolished. The children started sleeping outside their demolished houses, Qadri recalled.



He said JIT had been constituted under the then government’s influence. He said there were 66 people who suffered bullet injuries but they were not allowed to appear before the JIT. “No FIR was registered on their complaint owing to which they had to move towards Islamabad to stage a sit-in as a result of which FIR was registered against accused persons including politicians.”

Qadri said they had been demanding an impartial inquiry from day one. He said a minister of the then government seconded their stance of a fair inquiry but the next day he denied saying so. He said police had registered an FIR against them, adding it is astonishing enough that witnesses of the gory incident had been turned into accused.

“The circumstances were different when you had filed the private complaint,” CJP Nisar remarked. “We would have to see from legal aspects whether a new JIT could be formed at this stage,” country’s top judge remarked. “We would have to address the grievances of those children who lost their parents,” the CJP added.

“Point out the problems which are affecting smooth trial,” the CJP asked Qadri. At this the PAT chief said the matter has been delayed. Qadri also quoted some examples of Pakpattan case, Baldia Town fire and Zainab murder case where according to him one after another JITs had been formed. He prayed the court a fresh JIT be formed to hold fair and free investigation of the Model Town massacre.