Back in town: No compromise on Model Town incident, Qadri

Refuses to accept JIT report that clears Nawaz, Shahbaz of any involvement

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Dr Tahirul Qadri pledged on Monday that he would never compromise on the Model Town incident and would continue to struggle for the provision of justice.

Speaking upon his arrival in Lahore, Dr Qadri said he would never accept the report of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that was formed to probe the killing of 14 PAT members in the Model Town neighbourhood last year.

Although the JIT report cleared the Punjab chief minister, Dr Qadri said he does not have any faith in the probe team constituted by the government. According to him, only an independent investigation can determine the truth and bring those responsible to book. Addressing his supporters at his home in Model Town, Dr Qadri said the security institutions should nab those responsible for the bloodshed in Model Town in the same way as Karachi was being purged of terrorism.

Read: PAT chief Tahirul Qadri arrives in Lahore

He alleged that the plot of the June 17 massacre was hatched at the PM House and both PM Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif were responsible for it. The PAT chief had camped in Islamabad along with his followers in a months-long dharna to oust the government in 2014.

Warm welcome

Dr Qadri was given a rousing welcome by his supporters upon his arrival at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Monday morning.

Read: Imran Khan expresses ‘shock’ over Model Town JIT report

Strict security arrangements were in place for the PAT leader who was escorted to his bullet-proof vehicle. A 150-strong PAT youth force contingent provided security to Qadri, a statement issued by the party said. Up to eight Elite Force vehicles accompanied the PAT leader’s convoy.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2015.