LAHORE: The single-judge Model Town inquiry tribunal on Monday issued a final notice to Tehreek Minhajul Quran for its participation in proceedings about the June 17 incident.

The tribunal comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi observed, “We have substantially completed our work, but have not received any assistance from Tehreek Minhajul Quran. They were time and again issued notices to present evidence to the tribunal. With this background let a final notice for participation be issued to the Minhajul Quran Secretariat for July 25 to produce whatever evidence available with them. Any mode of participation involving modern devices will be available to them. If they are so willing, they may contact the registrar of this tribunal.”

Qadri uncooperative in Model Town incident probe

The tribunal handed over a telephonic conversation data to ISI Deputy Director Asad Ali Khan with direction to submit his analysis report. The tribunal issued notice to a cellular company for providing cell phone data on July 23.

At least 10 police officers including former DIG (operation) Rana Abdul Jabbar, then SP (headquarters) Mahroof Safdar Wahla, then Saddar SP (operations) Malik Awais, then SP (CIA/organised crime) Umar Virk, former Additional SP (operations) Allama Iqbal Town Dr. Farrukh Raza, then SP (investigation) Model Town Mohammad Nadeem, then SP (VVIP security) Agha Mohammad Ramzan, then SP (Mujahid & Mobiles) Abdul Raheem Sherazi and former SP (security) Salman Ali Khan submitted their affidavits to the tribunal.

The tribunal summoned a report from Special Branch Punjab, Intelligence Bureau and ISI regarding any prior information which they had already provided to the provincial government immediately before the incident.

Justice Najafi also sought a report from the Punjab cabinet secretary about facts and circumstances leading to change of the inspector general of Punjab police immediately before the incident.

The judge adjourned further hearing till July 23.

plea against Imran: The Lahore High Court on Monday sought a reply from the federal government on a petition against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s ‘provocative’ and ‘indecent’ speeches in the parliament.

The petitioner, Syed Feroze Shah Gilani, of the Lawyers’ Foundation for Justice argued that Imran Khan had been delivering ‘offensive’ speeches in violation of democratic norms and the Constitution.

He said Khan’s speeches could cause political unrest in the country that could lead to derailment of democracy.

The petitioner said Khan also announced holding a “long march” on Aug 14 and was enticing general public which could create a chaotic situation in the country.

He urged the court to restrain Imran Khan from delivering provocative speeches and direct the government to hold ‘meaningful negotiation’ with the opposition.

The court heard initial arguments and issued a notice to the federal government.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd , 2014