Sialkot lynching: Deceased brothers’ parents threatened

Parents being pressurised to withdraw the case or face 'dire consequences'.

SIALKOT: Parents of the two brothers who were lynched earlier this year have been threatened with dire consequences if they do not withdraw the case.

The parents of the brothers were returning from a hearing at the anti-terrorism court, Gujranwala when they were intercepted by a man named Imran alias Mani and two other people riding motorbikes near Haji Pura police station. These men warned the family members of the deceased brothers of severe consequences if the case was not withdrawn.

The police traced and arrested Imran after the brothers’ uncle, Khwaja Muhammad Tariq, filed a complaint. He was however released at the directives of Minister for Welfare and Population, Firdous Ashiq Awan.

Tariq then brought the matter to the attention of district police officer Sialkot who ordered Imran’s re-arrest but the accused has not been caught yet. A case though has been registered under section 356.  The next date of the case’s hearing is January 4, 2011.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2010.