SC issues written order in Model Town case
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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court issued a one-page written order on the Model Town carnage case, directing fresh probe into the incident by a new Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
The Advocate General, Punjab submitted before a five-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar that the Government of Punjab had decided to constitute a new JIT in terms of the provisions of Section 19 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
The apex court in light of above version and submission of the Punjab Government disposed of the matter on December 5 as the proceedings have borne fruit.
At least 14 persons were killed and 100 others injured in the police action against Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers in Lahore's Model Town area during an 'anti-encroachment operation' on June 17, 2014.
During the course of proceedings on December 5, PAT chief Tahirul Qadri himself presented the arguments on the matter in the court.
He pleaded that trial had now come back to zero after constitution of the larger bench, and the victims were hopeful about getting justice.
He further said that the case had not been investigated till today. The requirements of the investigation were not met as no statement of any victim was recorded.
The PAT chief said the Model Town affectees wanted a JIT other than the one formed earlier by the previous Punjab government.
The chief justice observed that the court needed to assess whether the JIT constituted earlier was independent or not. Subsequently, he asked Punjab Advocate General Ahmed Awais about the provincial government's stance on the matter.
Awais responded that the Punjab government had no objection to the reconstitution of a JIT. The CJP then remarked, "You may go and constitute the fresh JIT" and disposed of the matter.
APP
