Pakistan

Model Town tragedy: JIT grants ‘clean chit’ to PM, CM Shahbaz

On June 17, 2014, at least 14 PAT workers were killed and 90 were in injured in clashes with police in Lahore

Web Desk May 20, 2015

On June 17, 2014, at least 14 PAT workers were killed and 90 were in injured in clashes with police in Lahore. PHOTO: MEHMOOD QURESHI/EXPRESS

LAHORE: A joint investigation team probing last year’s deadly clashes between Punjab police and Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers has held 10 police officers responsible, while giving a clean chit to the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister, Express News reported.

On June 17, 2014, at least 14 workers of Dr Tahirul Qadri’s party were killed and 90 were in injured in clashes with police in Model Town, Lahore.

After the first inquiry team was rejected by the leadership of PAT, a new five-member JIT was formed, headed by CCPO Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema, AIG Discipline at CPO SSP Shehzad Akbar, DSP CIA Khalid Abubakar and one official each from the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB).

Read: Model town tragedy: Was unaware of operation carried out by police against PAT workers, says Shahbaz

The JIT’s report states Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other federal ministers, including the officers of DIG- and CCPO-level were not involved in the incident.

However, it adds SP Security Salman Khan was present with the police officers at the time of the incident. When PAT workers pelted stones as well as patrol bombs on the police, it was SP Salman who ordered the firing, and had fired bullets hilself as well.

Besides the SP, those who have been held responsible for the killings of PAT workers include SHO Amir Saleem, two sub-inspectors of the Elite Force, seven constables.

Read: New JIT formed to probe Model Town tragedy

Five of the officers are already under custody whereas the arrest of the remaining will be decided by the law enforcers.

Based on the August 28 FIR lodged by Minhajul Quran (MuQ), the Punjab government had finally formed a new investigation team but it was rejected by the PAT leadership.

COMMENTS (40)

Mahira | 8 years ago | Reply Wow!! And we are not surprised at all .. How can the Sharif brothers ever do something wrong?!

ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply First thing first. why the govt came to remove the barriers when barriers were allowed by the Court & proof available. So, resistance from the public is a natural re-action. But, no TV channels showed that any firing from QAT side. Throwing stones may be, but that does not mean the LEAs fire at the protestors directly. However, this is a second JIT as the first JIT was rejected by the govt who made JIT, because it held the govt responsible. Does it happen anywhere in the world, that the govt in power rejects its own JIT committee report just because it held them responsible, it can happen only in Pakistan, what a joke ? Second JIT report after 11 month, when most of the evidence has disappeared.

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Waqas | 8 years ago | Reply so when they say "attacked policemen by pelting them with stones and throwing petrol bombs" it doesn't matter?

disgusted | 8 years ago | Reply @shahid: Well said.

Iram | 8 years ago | Reply What about the previous JIT which declared CM, Sana responsible?

raider | 8 years ago | Reply @H Chaudhry: i quote one thing which may ease matter for understanding lets 14 peoples killed and more than hundred injured in an operation which continued for 14 hrs in Peshawar near pervaz khatk home, cm kpk claimed that he remained clueless about incident wholly and solely, now think again about incident, imran khan is also linked with pervaz khatak

raider | 8 years ago | Reply @H Chaudhry: gold medal for you dear, keep it up

Humza | 8 years ago | Reply @Mansha: I agree fair and free. If anything, PAT and its followers should be charged for attacking police and instigating rioting. Anywhere else in the world, police would not think twice about applying a firm hand to protesters who think they are above the law and attack police with pistols and rocks.

someone | 8 years ago | Reply I must say that JITs in Pakistan are way to efficient than in India. It took Modi more than 10 years to clear his name with opposite party in central government while Sharifs got cleared in what 6 months may be. Kudos to Pakistani JITs. But with this, I think Pakistanis would not be able to take high moral grounds.

freed | 8 years ago | Reply Raw held respoisible in next JIT.

freed | 8 years ago | Reply Justice had been served, personal butler from JIT told CM and PM.

Gulkhaiz | 8 years ago | Reply Some people are by nature and environments cynics and skeptics. They cannot comprehend the simple logic and sequence of events.Always try to find unrealistic and fictional aspect.Probably, That is why as a nation we are stuck in nonproductive pursuits. Now let the law take its course.

Ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply @Emaan: The first JIT team was rejected but the report of judge Baqi was made one sided yet his report was pointing finger towards the govt and govt means CM and his tlaw enforcement team, ISI , MI and IB gave a dissenting note which was also against the govt. Punjab govt rejected this report and made new JIT team. This is so much of so called justice Pakistan style. So justice shall prevail, here and in front of Allah swt court. Injustice shall be exposed here in this world.

raider | 8 years ago | Reply fruits of democracy continue to bear, bravo nawaz zardari duo, keep it up

MSH | 8 years ago | Reply Andher Nagri Chowpat Raj .......Wah Sharif Brothers Wah..

MSH | 8 years ago | Reply This is for what Pakistan was created....Injustice,Injustice and Injustice.The Nation particularly Judiciary should be ashamed .Remember who all were part of JIT .Police,FIA,IB,-MI and IS I.

ziaurrehman | 8 years ago | Reply The same Patwaries who are saying that "PMLn was FORCED to act after PAT workers took law in hand" are unable to answer when they are asked why not the same logic was applied when Raymond Davis took law in hands and shoot two persons in broad day light?.

lmao | 8 years ago | Reply Why are Pakistanis so upset... isn't the same rule that applies to hafiz Saeed and lakhvi also applies to the sharifs???? No evidence = innocence.

Shakil | 8 years ago | Reply Not surprising, 14 people died in daylight and no one is guilty! Oh well its Pakistan, people come to power only protect themselves against any prosecution and clear their names

Tango | 8 years ago | Reply Appears the current rulers were given a clean chit prior to their birth.

naeemhussain | 8 years ago | Reply @Emaan: Yes now we should move on and forget all the dead that is what you are advising. I am sure none of your relatives died in the incident that is why you are so senseless.

Saad | 8 years ago | Reply No democracy and juatice in Pakistan, how can police fire for 12 hours straight without Shahbaz Sharif knowing. What a shame!!!

Hira | 8 years ago | Reply May be all those poor soul who died that day just shot themselves. We should now investigate from this angle!

H Chaudhry | 8 years ago | Reply Good. A sitting PM and CM can not be made responsible for something that was incited by a foreign sick leader asking his followers to fight law enforcement. Right of wrong, if police is doing something get out of the way. Sorry for 14 lives lost but the real culprit, the sick canadian needs to be punished.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply I wonder how many will believe this ?......... If the JIT had ruled against the Sharif's, another JIT would have been formed.....and so on until the verdict went in their favor......it's more a comedy show than a process of accountability.

Azam Khan | 8 years ago | Reply What else could we expect.

Ozair | 8 years ago | Reply I guess if we form a JIT to investigate if Model Town tragedy actually happened or not it would find that MT tragedy never happened and all story was concocted by media.

Audit | 8 years ago | Reply Good investigation. It pas PAT who prompted the police and took law in its hands. Govt shall arrest PAT leadership. Justice has come out and lies of media are over.

shahid | 8 years ago | Reply Didn't we all know what would be the outcome of JIT? But then again, what this nation wants? Few roads here and there, a metro or two and that's it. Who needs respect, justice, merit, education, equality? Why waste money on such non issues? You are going good sharifs, keep it up.

ashar | 8 years ago | Reply JIT is becoming the biggest joke of our times. isnt it.

Emaan | 8 years ago | Reply So that's the end of it...I hope everyone is satisfied..With ISI and MI officials on JIT how can a report be fabricated ..Chief Minister Shahbaz Shariff is innocent in all of thisn and the past year was nothing but a staged drama by PAT..Now can we please move on from this..Thank you

Farhan | 8 years ago | Reply What a joke with this nation.

Haider | 8 years ago | Reply Firing continued for 12 hrs by Police and CM is not responsible..........

Ranjha | 8 years ago | Reply Hallelujah!!!!!

Naeem Khan | 8 years ago | Reply It does not matter who is investigating the crimes in Pakistan, the elite and the ruling class get away with murders and other heinous crimes. The law of the land only applies to the masses, just look into the history of Pakistan. If any one believes that Shahbaz Sharif was not involved along with his cronies, they must living in the la la land where the chief of the province or even country do no crimes or harm. IT IS A KNOWN FACT THE SHABAZ SHARIF MICROMANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF PUNJAB AND EVEN ADVISE HIS BROTHER, SO FOR US TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS NOT INVOLVED IN MODEL TOWN MASSACRE IS A BIG LIE AND SAVING HIS BEHIND BEING SENT TO JAIL WHERE HE BELONGS ALONG WITH HIS BROTHER.

Mansha | 8 years ago | Reply Congratulations to PM,CM and all. What a great democracy Pakistan has proven itself to be with this inquiry report giving clean chit. Free and fair all the way!

Sami | 8 years ago | Reply Curse on such JIT and such justice system.

iKnewit! | 8 years ago | Reply One more proof of the powerful Takht-e-Lahore!

Econ | 8 years ago | Reply Trolls are in way to troll

A-No.1 | 8 years ago | Reply What else can one expect.

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