Punjab govt to form new Model Town JIT

CJP asks Dr Tahirul Qadri why he did not approach SC to redress his grievances earlier

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was informed on Wednesday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led Punjab government has decided to form a new joint investigation team (JIT) for a fresh probe into 2014 Model Town massacre.

On June 17, 2014, Punjab police launched a crackdown to remove barriers erected outside the residence of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri.

The subsequent clash between police and the PAT workers resulted in death of 14 activists of the party.

On Wednesday, a five-member SC bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard a petition filed by PAT chief seeking a fresh probe into the case, which is already under trial in a lower court.

During the hearing, Punjab Advocate General Ahmad Awais said the provincial government is convinced about constitution of a new JIT. The bench noted that as object of court proceedings has been achieved, the case is disposed of.



However, during the hearing, the CJP asked Dr Tahirul Qadri, who was present in the courtroom, why he did not approach the court to redress their grievances earlier.

“The PAT staged a sit-in [after the incident] which paralysed the country and functioning of the court was also affected but the party relied on those who had no relevance in this case,” the CJP said.

Presenting his case, Qadri said the last Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had formed two JITs to probe into the tragedy but the teams failed to record statements both of the injured as well as the accused.

“Then Punjab police and prosecution were under the control of the previous government. The Model Town incident was conspiracy as 56 FIRs were registered against the PAT workers,” he added.

The CJP asked Qadri why day to day proceedings could not be conducted to conclude the trial in view of the apex court’s order. Qadri replied that their lawyers were not willing to conduct day to day trial in this matter as they were also busy in other cases.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, another member of the bench, asked the petitioner’s counsel Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu to assist the court as to whether the court can form a JIT. He said under the relevant law, the federal government can constitute a team.

“The trial court can also summon any relevant person to record his statement,” he added. The CJP asked him whether the court could intervene when the state’s action is based on malafide.

Zahid Bukhari, who is representing a police official nominated in the case, later said if the provincial government forms a new JIT then they will definitely challenge it before the high court.

The respondents, primarily the PML-N senior leaders, have hired senior counsels to defend their case. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is represented by Kamran Murtaza while his brother and former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif is presented by Azam Nazi Tarrar.

Former attorney general Ashtar Ausaf Ali represents Hamza Shehbaz and former Punjab governor Rafiq Rajwana represents former law minister Rana Sanaullah. Amjad Pervaiz and Nasir Bhutta are representing former Saad Rafique and Pervaiz Rashid respectively.