GB CM claims police unleashed shelling on his car

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, who was booked for allegedly opening fire on the police during PTI's 'Azadi March, on Saturday said that a letter addressing the army chief, chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) and the president would be written over the roughshod treatment meted out to PTI workers and the violation of constitutional rights.

In a statement, Khurshid lashed out at the ruling coalition and alleged that the police unleashed shelling on the convoy comprising cabinet members of G-B and that a senior superintendent of police (SSP) had threatened him with consequences if he proceeded over before his car came under attack.

The chief minister’s allegations come a day after the Saddar Hassan Abdal police station registered a case against him on the police's behalf. The police said that the GB chief minister's chief security officer and 50 cops have also been nominated as suspects in the case.

As per the FIR, CM Khurshid and his security team shouted slogans against the government and administration and kept firing on police personnel.

Sharing his account of the incident, the chief minister deplored that the police officers of SSP rank had been encouraged by the government to handle the rally with such an iron hand, adding that the officers resorted to shelling when the PTI leaders were on their way to the federal capital.

The convoy faced obstacles for the first time at Hassan Abdal, which the PTI workers removed to advance, he added.

He regretted that despite clear instructions from the Supreme Court, the government did remove the roadblocks.

“We want redressal for the humiliation we faced at the hands of these thugs,” he demanded, calling for the suspension of IG Punjab and chief secretary. “We are ready to resign if we are found guilty.”

“They unleashed shelling at us from such a height that we could barely see them. The police targeted my car,” he claimed. He said he also rang up the chief secretary of Punjab to complain about the police officer’s behaviour but was told that he was not allowed to go further.

“They are hired thugs. We are also part of a government and we know how the police work. The police officers cannot take such actions without clear instructions from the high ups.”

He maintained just like all other political parties have been marching for a long time, the chief ministers have also been participating in the march. “Doesn’t Murad Ali Shah join Bilawal Bhutto on containers during rallies?” he asked.