LAHORE: The judicial tribunal on Wednesday directed the Joint Investigation Team to provide record of communication and telephonic data of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, former law minister Rana Sanaullah and CM’s principal secretary Dr Tauqir Shah with the home secretary, commissioner, DCO, DIG and other police officers during a raid on Minhajul Quran headquarters.

Justice Ali Baqar Najfi also directed Intelligence Bureau and ISI officials to submit their reports and provide their technical assistance to the tribunal in probing the incident.

The IGP was also asked to submit a report on Standard Operating Procedures regarding the communication among the police officials during an operation.

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The Punjab government through Additional Advocate-General Hanif Khatana objected to requisitioning of reports from the JIT arguing it should be allowed to work independently.

The judge observed he was sure that the JIT was working honestly and independently and the tribunal was not supervising its working.

Mr Khatana also opposed Advocate Aftab Bajwa, the lawyer of a victim of Model Town incident who is seeking complete record including telephonic data, CCTV cameras’ photos, FIRs registered by the police, the number of police officials and constables who took part in the operation, bullets and guns they used.

AIG Altaf Husain submitted a report stating so far nothing adverse was done to the police who conducted the raid on Minhajul Quran offices.

No injured witness appeared before the tribunal to record his/her statement. Only injured constable Amjad Ali appeared and submitted his written statement.

LHCBA President Shafqat Mahmood Chohan voluntarily took part in the proceedings stating Bar’s executive committee had constituted a legal team to assist the tribunal.

The tribunal adjourned the proceedings till July 14.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2014