CCPO apologises for controversial remarks

Governor says govt ready to form judicial commission on motorway incident

LAHORE:

Days after Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Shaikh’s controversial and insensitive remarks blaming the survivor of the motorway gang-rape created outrage, the provincial capital’s top cop has apologised for his statement.

The Lahore CCPO drew trenchant criticism from almost every quarter after he pontificated on Thursday that the victim had failed to take due precautions before setting out for her journey, in remarks to a private news television channel.

“What surprises me is that being a mother of three children and the only driver [unaccompanied by an adult male], why would she not take the GT Road that has a population around it? If nothing else, she should have checked her fuel…” Sheikh told the channel.

Sheikh, recently posted as Lahore CCPO after a controversy involving the previous provincial IG, said if his comments had offended anyone then he apologises, to not only the survivor but also to all others from the ‘depth of his heart’.

Lahore CCPO summoned by NA committee after controversial remarks in gang-rape case

“I had also earlier apologised for the statement,” the CCPO claimed. “There was no ill intention or motivation behind it.”

Last week, the CCPO was summoned by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice.

Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar said that if the victim wants, a judicial commission can be formed on the tragic motorway incident. “Those involved in the tragedy are terrorists. There will be no concession with them. They will not be allowed to flee,” he remarked.

He expressed these views while talking to media persons after planting saplings in connection with a tree plantation campaign at Governor House.

While answering questions, the governor said the police and other agencies concerned had worked expeditiously on the case. “This speedy progress is an example of extraordinary work.” He added that more DNA tests were being done and the accused would be arrested as soon as possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2020.