Punjab plans judicial probe into May 25 violence

CM Elahi requested to write to home ministry for probe

LAHORE:

The PTI-led Punjab government has decided to launch a judicial inquiry into the alleged politics torture carried out against the party activists and citizens during May 25 long march on Islamabad.

The development was confirmed by Punjab Home Minister Hashim Dogar who announced that Chief Minister Parvez Elahi has been requested to write a letter to home ministry seeking a judicial inquiry into the police torture.

“Police officials should appear before JIT and tell on whose directions the action was launched against peaceful PTI protesters on Mach 25,” he said.

He said officers found to be guilty during the course of investigations will have to face the music.

"The torture unleashed on the PTI workers on during the rally is unparalleled in Pakistan’s history," Dogar lamented.

The move is the latest decision taken by the PML-Q-PTI coalition government in Punjab against the officers and the then PML-N-led government members involved in the crackdown.

Ever since gathering up the reins of the political capital, the PTI-led provincial government has been on a collision course with the federal government and has tightened the noose on those who had given the party a tough time during PML-N's tenure.

Last month, the provincial government announced launching a crackdown against individuals involved in the torture on PTI workers during the May 25 rally.

Earlier, CM Pervaiz Elahi had ordered to start arresting the people behind the violence and also decided to show the door to the police officers allegedly involved in the crackdown.

The Punjab government has also quashed cases registered against PTI workers for their clashes with the law enforcers during the long march.

Meanwhile, the inspector general of police (IGP) has reshuffled 12 superintendents of police (SPs) of Lahore, making four of them officers on special duty (OSDs).

The IGP transferred 43 deputy superintendents of police. Seven of them were made OSDs again on the complaint of the PTI leadership for their victimization of PTI leaders and workers during the previous government.