Sanaullah, Shah to explain their side to judicial commission

Gullu Butt was being escorted to court when a lawyer shouted ‘there goes Gulu’.

LAHORE: Former law minister Rana Sanaullah and principal secretary to chief minister Tauqeer Shah are expected to appear before a judicial tribunal on Monday (today) to give their explanations regarding the deadly police operation on the Pakistan Awami Tehreek secretariat on June 17.

The tribunal comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najfi on Saturday summoned both former government officials. The tribunal also summoned the home secretary and asked for a report on the possibility of the constitution of a joint investigation team to probe the unfortunate incident.

The Punjab Baitul Maal secretary has also been directed to inform the tribunal about the possibility of paying compensation to those affected in the incident. The tribunal also summoned the Punjab health secretary to present the autopsy reports of those dies and injured in the incident. The tribunal took note that the IGP has not been submitting daily progress reports on the investigation and that the district coordination officer has been absent despite summons.

Dr Tahirul Qadri, head of the PAT, has rejected the authority of the tribunal and said PAT representatives would not appear before it. He rejected the tribunal on the grounds that it had been constituted by the Punjab government.

Gullu Butt thrashing 

Gullu Butt, one of the most prominent characters in the Model Town incident, was thrashed by a group of lawyers at the Model Town courts last week. Police had produced Butt before a judicial magistrate for remand.

Three Faisal Town policemen were escorting Butt to the court. He was handcuffed and a piece of cloth was placed on his head so that no one could recognise him.

However a person saw him and shouted “there goes Gullu”. What followed was a flurry of kicks and punches aimed at Butt. The policemen and one of Butt’s cousins tried to save him but couldn’t. They were heard instructing him to act like he had fainted. Butt lay on the ground motionless and the group of lawyers walked away.

Animal rights

Last week, the Punjab wildlife secretary told the Lahore High Court that 43 puppy dogs, eight cats, 18 horses, five zebras, 585 birds and nine lion cubs had been imported in the provincial metropolis via Allama Iqbal Airport during the present fiscal year. Submitting a report regarding licences issued for the import of animals, the secretary said that there were 111 wildlife breeding farms in the province. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah had sought details of these licences while hearing a petition by activist Faryal Ali Gohar seeking action against the exhibition of wild animals at public gatherings.

Facilities for the disabled

Last week, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah of the LHC directed the court registrar to take concrete steps to provide facilities to the disabled at the principal seat and its benches in Bahawalpur, Multan and Rawalpindi. Justice Shah asked the registrar to get reports from all district and sessions judges of Punjab in this regard in a month. The judge said facilities like ramps, toilets and parking areas for the disabled should be provided at the LHC and district courts. The courts must set an example for other government buildings, he said.

New chief justice

Justice Khwaja Imtiaz Ahmad took oath as chief justice of the Lahore High Court. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar administered oath to Justice Ahmad at a ceremony attended by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Iqbal, provincial ministers and Lahore High Court judges and lawyers. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2014.