Opposition senators reject initial report

Joint session calls for immediate arrest of officer involved in incident

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties held a joint session in the Senate on Monday to discuss a range of issues including the tragedy in Sahiwal, which resulted in the death of four people including two women.

The session, presided by opposition rejected the initial investigation report of the Sahiwal incident as well as the government’s decision regarding the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT).

It called for the immediate arrest of the officer responsible for the incident, while also rebuking the government on its constantly changing stance over the issue.



Opposition Leader Raja Zafarul Haq presided over the session in the parliament house, which was attended by senators from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal and Awami National Party including Pervez Rasheed, Sirajul Haq, Sherry Rehman, Ghafoor Haideri, Sitara Ayaz, Usman Kakar, Asif Kirmani and others.

The meeting also saw discussion over the issue of extension of military courts and Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process.

Talking to the media after the session, senators said that the government needs to provide clarity on what transpired on the fateful day in Sahiwal. The senators contended that the formation of the JIT would lead to concealment of facts. They also critcised the Centre and the Punjab government for ‘not being on the same page’ on the issue.