Model Town case: Exclusion of anti-terror clause in FIR challenged

PAT’s advocate urges Lahore High Court to direct police to lodge a fresh report

LAHORE:

A writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the exclusion of section 7 of the Anti-terrorism Act 1997 in the FIR registered against 21 prominent PML-N leaders who were involved in the Model Town incident.

The plea was filed by Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)’s advocate Ishtiaq Semuel. According to the petitioner, the Faisal Town police had included sections of their own choice when they registered the FIR. Furthermore, Ishtiaq Semuel added that through the sections inserted in the FIR, the defendants would be let off the hook easily and would not face severe punishment.



He requested the court to direct the police to cancel the FIR registered earlier and lodge a new report which includes various sections of Anti-Terrorism Act.

On August 28, the Faisal Town police had lodged an FIR to indict the culprits of the Model Town incident on June 17. The FIR nominated 21 people – including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif – who were accountable for the tragedy. Moreover, former law minister Rana Sanaullah, Hamza Shahbaz, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pervaiz Rasheed, Abid Sher Ali and Chaudhry Nisar were also blamed for allegedly killing 14 PAT activists.

Interim order

Faisal Town Police submitted interim challan regarding the four police officials who were arrested and accused of firing on protestors of PAT at Model Town.



The 10-page interim order has reportedly declared the police officials guilty and provided names of 62 prosecution witnesses.

The Express Tribune has learnt that the interim challan was made regarding SHO Sabzazar Inspector Amir Saleem, Sub Inspector Hafiz Ather Mehmood, constables Naveed and Khurram.

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) holding an inquiry into the Model Town incident had detained nine policemen for their alleged role in the deaths of the PAT activists on June 17.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2014.