Inquiry committee blames PML-N workers, police inaction for Faisalabad clashes: sources

Sources say it is unclear who directed PML-N workers to disrupt PTI protest; report to be submitted to Punjab CM soon

FAISALABAD: A committee probing into the killing of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf activist in Faisalabad on December 8 concluded its proceedings on Thursday, with sources suggesting that the committee has laid the blame on the involvement of PML-N workers and the police's inaction.

PTI activist Haq Nawaz was shot dead on December 8 in Faisalabad during clashes that erupted between PTI and PML-N workers.

A source in the committee revealed that they have completed the task and will submit a report to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif within the next 24 hours.

Sources privy to the committee said that the clashes took place due to the police's inaction.

“A majority of the witnesses contended before the committee that because of police inaction, the situation worsened in the city on December 8,” a source said.

However, sources added that the reports also states that the police were unarmed and but PML-N workers jumped into the arena and indulged in the clashes.

“The involvement of PML-N workers put the police in a fix and the police, which was unarmed as per government strategy, had to confine itself to watch the clashes,” a source said.

A member of the inquiry committee, on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune, “Although none of the PTI workers or leaders came in the witness box to testify, those who were seen armed and shooting clearly indicated links with the PML-N”.

“The main point to be determined was under whose instructions PML-N workers came out on various points of the city to foil PTI’s call for a shutdown.”

The committee member also revealed that “the committee has grilled various officials of the administration and the police and feel their strategy to ensure peace and tranquility in the city was not implemented in letter and spirit."

The three-member committee, headed by secretary for environment Iqbal Muhammad Chauhan abd comprising of Additional Commissioner Malik Kazim Awan of Faisalabad Division and Toba Tek Singh District Police Officer Dr Asif, recorded statements of over 113 people.

The statements included those of Faisalabad District Coordination Officer (DCO) Noorul Amin Mengal, Faisalabad  City Police Officer (CPO) Dr Sohail Habib Tajik, two SPs, three DSPs, five Inspectors, 15 constables, eyewitnesses, PML-N leaders, PML-N activists and traders.

The committee also visited various parts of the city, including Millat Chowk, Abdullah Pur Chowk and Novelty Bridge where the clashes took place between PTI and PML-N activists resulting in Nawaz’s death.