Islamabad Bar Council announces strike to protest Sahiwal tragedy

Lawyers will boycott hearings, stage protest

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Bar Council called for a strike on Monday to protest the brutal killing of a family in Sahiwal by the provincial counter-terrorism department (CTD).

Initial post-mortem report of Sahiwal fake encounter's victims released

Three members of a family, parents and a 13-year-old daughter, and a friend were killed in what was describe as an “encounter with terrorists” by the law enforcement agency on Saturday. The killings were witnessed by surviving members of the family: three minors.

Acting upon IBC's call, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association and Islamabad District Bar Association will be observing a strike today. The lawyers will boycott all hearing and stage a demonstration.



The Sahiwal tragedy

The initial post-mortem report revealed driver Zeeshan sustained 10 bullets, the parents Mohmmad Khalil and Nabeela Bibi received 13 and four bullets while Areeba sustained six. The survivors, Umair sustained one bullet in his right leg while Muneeba’s hand was injured when the bullets shattered the car’s glass.

The Punjab government termed the deaths as “collateral damage”. Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat said the tragedy occurred during the CTD team’s attempt to eliminate a suspected terrorist planning a terrorist act.

Rejecting CTD report on the Sahiwal tragedy, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar sought a detailed report from IG Punjab.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the surviving children will be looked after by the state. He promised strict actions against the officials involved once the JIT report is compiled.

While the CTD has done a great job in fight against terrorism, everyone must be accountable before the law. As soon as JIT report comes, swift action will be taken. The govt's priority is protection of all its citizens. https://t.co/Vek2YHLmKQ

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 20, 2019