Model Town incident culprits to be brought to justice: PM Nawaz
Nawaz Sharif expresses sorrow over the loss of precious lives in police-PAT workers Tuesday's clash.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News/ Web Desk) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives in police and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers in Model Town on Tuesday.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Wednesday, PM Nawaz Sharif said that a Judicial Tribunal has been constituted to probe into the incident.
He assured that responsibility of the incident will be fixed in the light of the report of the Judicial Tribunal and immediate legal action will be taken against the culprits.
Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan is currently faced with two challenges. On the one hand our armed forces are fighting against terrorists while on the other hand we are striving to put the economy on the right track. He said in such a situation nobody can be and will be allowed to put the country s peace and security at stake.
Earlier on Tuesday night, the initial report of the incident was presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The preliminary report presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday by intelligence agencies claimed that Pakistan Awami
Tehreek (PAT) chief’s television statements provoked his followers who distributed arms and sticks amongst members prior to the incident, Dunya News reported.
The report said that when police reached the area to remove the barricades late night, youths started throwing stones. It added that the police were not ready to retaliate as backed off. Meanwhile more teachers and students arrived at the sight.
Prime Minister was told that Tahirul Qadri’s speech on TV had provoked the party workers and that they even distributed arms and sticks among other weapons.
The report said that as the police contingents faced strict retaliation as they arrived early morning to proceed with the task. It says that police were even fired at from behind the bunkers.
The report further noted that police personnel fired in their defense, adding that eight people died and ninety including police officers were injured.
The preliminary report claimed that police recovered a Kalashnikov, a pistol, and MP 32 guns and heavy amount of weaponry was recovered from the demonstrators. It said that heavy amount of weapon still exists in Minhajul Quran secretariat.
At least eight people including two women were killed during violent clash between the supporters of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and police on Tuesday.
The clash began when supporters of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) tried to stop police from removing barricades outside their leader’s house in Lahore’s Model Town area.
More than 90 people including several police personnel were also injured during the clashes.
