Model Town clashes: Sanaullah ordered removal of barriers
Former law minister Rana Sanaullah, former principal secretary to chief minister Dr Tauqir Shah filed their affidavits before the judicial tribunal probing the incident. Commissioner Lahore division, home secretary Punjab and former Lahore CCPO Shafiq Gujjar submitted their reports as well.
In the affidavit submitted to the tribunal, Dr Tauqir said that at 9am on the day of the clashes, he received a call from Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inquiring what was happening outside the Minhajul Quran secretariat, as he watched it on television.
The former principal secretary said that he informed Shahbaz that an operation to removal illegal barriers on public roads around the Minhajul Quran secretariat was being carried out.
According to his statement, Shahbaz was unaware of this action.
Dr Tauqir recalled calling Sanaullah and Punjab home secretary Azam Suleman Khan twice to convey the chief minister’s reservations.
He further added that the order for removal of barriers was issued by then-law minister in a meeting held on June 16. The meeting was chaired by the ministry of law and local government.
Sanaullah confirmed in his affidavit that it was him who ordered the removal of barriers during the meeting. He added that he was informed by the Lahore commissioner about hindrances being created by barriers on the roads around Minhajul Quran secretariat. Echoing Dr Tauqir, Sanaullah maintained that he too learnt of the clashes through media and then from Dr Taurqir’s call.
However, Commissioner of Lahore division Rashid Mahmood Langrial in his report said that activists of Minhajul Quran did not let the authorities remove the barriers and started pelting stones at the forces. He said they tried to resolve the matter through dialogue but it was not effective. Langrial further claimed that he came to know that many civilians and policemen were injured after the incident.
Punjab home secretary Azam Suleman Khan in his report said that he ordered the DIG police and DCO to resolve the matter in a peaceful manner. He said the DIG had informed him that police was subjected to firing, stone pelting and petrol bombs were being thrown on them.
The home secretary further said that at 2:30pm he was informed that one man was shot dead and was later informed that 10 people had been killed and many others were injured including civilians and policemen.
He said an FIR was registered on the complaint of SHO Faisal Town Rizwan Qadir and a joint investigation team was investigating the incident.
Former CCPO Lahore Shafique Gujjar also appeared before the tribunal and submitted his report. The tribunal had also summoned the victims but they did not turn up.
Doctors, who conducted autopsies and medical examinations of deceased and injured respectively, also appeared before the tribunal and recorded their statements.
The tribunal adjourned its hearing till Tuesday.
Tribunal for 'digging out the truth'
While holding proceedings, the tribunal comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najfi remarked that I am an inquiry tribunal to dig out the truth behind it.
The judge said this while responding to an objection raised by an advocate over proceedings of the tribunal claiming that the proceedings of the Tribunal are illegal and unconstitutional. He said he has filed three application in this regard. At this the judge fixed July 01 for proceedings on his applications.
Prior to it, there was a hot exchange of arguments among the judge and the lawyer and the judge had to reprimand the counsel for making him quite.
During the course of hearing, Justice Najfi said when system does not deliver, the people pin hopes on judiciary. The government should take action and tell the people that it is not with the cruel but it is with the victims. He said in such a situation, people’s object is justified.
COMMENTS (4)
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I must ask N-leagues leaders what do they think of public.Do they take us all as fools? Their ministers statements are so shallow that these statements only clarifies incompetence of Nooras associates.Statements like comparing MT incident with red mosque and "lasho pe siasat" fools lead by a bigger fool who think public can be fooled.
firstly, in the report it says victims were summoned but never showed up, clearly shows that there were only civil injuries. it opens up lies of the Punjab gov right there and then.
Answering to Mojo: Police in Canada doesn't act on CM's will and does not go on killing spree like in Pakistan.
I don't expect any clean and clear, rightly justified outcome from the commission as the judges, even if they are pious, have daughters and other ladies in their houses. Any body going against royal family of N league will be tortured, murdered and even raped as this is their usual tactics.
one thing is for sure, these dirty so called royals cant stop the change, the change of revolution coming to uproot this system in Pakistan headed by Dr Sahab.
Pakistan Zindabad.
I wonder if Mr. Qadri has barricades around his place in Canada and would he pelt stones if the authorities their come to remove them. Such things only happen in Pakistan. Though I sincerely regret the killings, I am a firm believer in punishing people who break the law and making an example out of them so that we as a nation may prosper.
According to hospital report, none of the policeman admitted had been injured by a bullet...then how come the DIG misreported to Punjab Home Secretary that the police was subject to firing??? the committee must call on the DIG immediately.