Model Town tragedy: Court rules case be registered against Nawaz, Shahbaz and 19 others

LAHORE: A sessions court in Lahore has ordered police to register murder charges against 21 individuals – including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif – over violence that took place in Lahore's Model Town in June.

At least eleven PAT workers were killed and over 100 people were injured as police clashes with workers of Tahirul Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) on June 17 in Lahore's Model Town locality.

PAT workers had submitted an application with police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against a total of 21 people, though the police had so far not filed any charges.

Issuing its orders on the application here today, the court directed Station House Officer (SHO) Faisal Town to immediately register cases against the 21 nominees which include the prime minister, CM Punjab, Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan, former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, the Inspector-General of Police Punjab and the CCPO Lahore, among others.

The court further directed the police to register cases against the accused persons and ordered that a report should be presented before it after completion of the said.

Meanwhile, Shahbaz met the premier at his Raiwind residence shortly after the court's order. Sources said the two discussed the overall situation in the country as well as the court's decision.

No official word has yet been issued from either the prime minister or the Punjab chief minister's offices regarding the court order.

According to sources, the Punjab government has been keeping secret the report of a one-member judicial commission formed to probe the Model Town incident.

Sources say the report pins the blame solely on police, clearing Punjab government officials of any responsibility of the incident.

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Ali

Aug 16, 2014 04:52pm

Till the time these two brothers are in power there will no law in this country, because yesterday night we heard in ARY news channel regarding these two brothers from Major (R) Khalid.

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Israr Khan Ismailzai

Aug 16, 2014 04:57pm

A sitting PM is charged and he still is a prime minister, what a pity.

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Haseeb

Aug 16, 2014 04:58pm

Finally! I hope law takes it course. Come on law must prevail. Shareefs must GO!

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watchman

Aug 16, 2014 05:05pm

Bhutto was hanged, because case was registered when he was in Power. same thing can happens to Sharif brothers.

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Shershah

Aug 16, 2014 05:09pm

"I will resign in a minute if t commission holds me responsible" - SS. Now resign, I heard that they are threatening City42 owners. End the rule of GULLU LEAGUE

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Khan

Aug 16, 2014 05:10pm

If these leaders were charged by the court, I will believe that we are free in this country and we can celebrate independence day every year!

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AKNasir

Aug 16, 2014 05:11pm

Now this is hilarious. May be they all will run away, completion of revolution by Qadri

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Iman

Aug 16, 2014 05:13pm

Law should be equal for all, I personally dont support any party but I think Shareef Baradrans are just a mess in this country and should be accountable for his mess. Also this family business either it is PPP or PMLN need to be cleared once for all otherwise we are going back to stone age for sure. this country need a good honest leader to guide our nation from all this mess otherwise Khuda Hi Hafiz Hai Hamara.

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M.M.Sherazi

Aug 16, 2014 05:13pm

It is such a ridiculous decision by the Session Court; the judiciary has failed to read the true situation. It is politically motivated decision though.

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Bilal

Aug 16, 2014 05:14pm

@Haseeb inshallah brother

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Harmony

Aug 16, 2014 05:20pm

There should be no cover up. I hope the guilty get punished.

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oBSERVER

Aug 16, 2014 05:20pm

Lahore HighCourt will now be fully exposed.

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Little Khan

Aug 16, 2014 05:21pm

I think the court should play a fair and decisive role in this scenario and break the damaging stereotype associated with the high court of Pakistan. It's high time they step in as the sane and decisive authority in this country when everything else seems to be in chaos.

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Kaleem

Aug 16, 2014 05:21pm

Now this is interesting, I do not think anything will happen, session courts have no integrity whatsoever.

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Asim

Aug 16, 2014 05:23pm

Security Alert: Session Judge's life in danger!

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Maheen

Aug 16, 2014 05:28pm

Great decision. Though an honest judge just restricted his progress to High Court. Nothing will come out of it though they will appeal it to High Court

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Khanzada

Aug 16, 2014 05:32pm

Their names must be in ECL otherwise they will runaway.

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Ahmad

Aug 16, 2014 05:45pm

A good step by the court. I hope that no pressure is exerted and the police investigates the matter against PM and CM impartially.

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Raza Babar

Aug 16, 2014 05:46pm

So, what do now Imran-Qadri say about the independence of Judiciary in Lahore? Punjab? Pakistan?

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Daud Jan

Aug 16, 2014 05:47pm

Hope justice will prevail and session judge won't proceed on leave. also HC will not turn it ab initio.

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imran ali

Aug 16, 2014 05:55pm

good decision of the court,hope common and poor people get justice

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Khaled

Aug 16, 2014 05:55pm

Hope the court ruling is implemented!

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Mazhar, Layyah

Aug 16, 2014 06:02pm

What canada want, what UK want, what USA want in pakistan ?

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asif

Aug 16, 2014 06:07pm

Finally the court has opened its eyes

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Gaz

Aug 16, 2014 06:11pm

Saudi Arabia the home of dictaors is waiting.

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Shahpur

Aug 16, 2014 06:13pm

This is a Victory of People Struggle. May be a small but it is still a victory.

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Dr. Malik Ajmal Khan

Aug 16, 2014 06:15pm

All song and dance. Courts don't have teeth in Pakistan. Courts can announce anything but who is going to implement the court orders? Have we not been at this situation before?

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arsh

Aug 16, 2014 06:15pm

This order will change the situation. Marches didn't make a dent but this court order does.

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Kaleem

Aug 16, 2014 06:32pm

A good and timely decision by angels, they know how to keep politicians under the boot.

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SAZ Richmond

Aug 16, 2014 06:34pm

Move over House of Cards. Politics in Pakistan is getting even more intriguing. Too bad real people lost their lives and probably even more at stake.

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Asif A. Shah

Aug 16, 2014 06:41pm

The court's decision in this regard may turn out to have a huge symbolic value, however, it is very courageous decision. If the FIR is actually filed against PM Nawaz Sharif and CM Shahbaz Sharif then it has the potential to have more serious consequences than the " Azadi March." Remember! What was the result of the FIR which was filed against Z. A. Bhutto by Ahmed Reza Kasuri? A Dawn Reader

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syed wazir

Aug 16, 2014 06:50pm

No one is above the law everyone if found involved must be punished according to the law of the country.

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Darkanu

Aug 16, 2014 06:51pm

How FIR will be investigated against the sitting PM and CM if at all registered against them? Will law of the land will take its natural course of action in such a situation. Will both courteously step down to let the justice prevailed without any hindrance.

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Dr. Muhammad Asghar Saqib

Aug 16, 2014 07:30pm

@Israr Khan Ismailzai He is not CHARGED! An FIR is to be registered, and then he can only be charged if found guilty after the investigation.

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Shak

Aug 16, 2014 07:35pm

Seems like this is how ZAB got framed in. The rest is history.

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dil e muslim

Aug 16, 2014 07:51pm

Hope a distant Iftikhar Chaudhry with his SC won't play with the justice. Otherwise time is up and Iftikhar chaudhry and his cronies should be ready for a divine justice.

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saf

Aug 16, 2014 08:01pm

@Mazhar, Layyah Nothing what on earth makes you think that three of the richest and most advanced countries in the world give a dam, this is in all our Pakistanis heads that some how the world is trying to destroy us. Why do we need the world to destroy us when we are doing a wonderful job of it ourselves by electing the likes of Sharif and Zardari into power. When you vote for the likes of Sharif and Zardari then dont ever be surprised that the country is in a mess.

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Muhammad Ahmed Khan

Aug 16, 2014 08:14pm

Its too late now. Judiciary is completely failed. When game is out of their hand then they just trying to act as hero.

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muhammad

Aug 16, 2014 08:24pm

@M.M.Sherazi If courts give order against Gullu League you people say it is politically motivated and if courts give Gullu Shahbaz Sharif unlimited stay order to run his Badshahat in Punjab then all is according to law

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zafar

Aug 16, 2014 08:35pm

Where are the PMLN trolls now! The only threat to democracy in Pakistan is the status quo to which no laws apply. The constitution is a joke to them. Until these criminals are brought to justice, there would be no peace, prosperity or democracy.

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atif

Aug 16, 2014 09:32pm

nothing gonna happen as this decision would be challenged 'successfully' by ns & ss in the higher courts and they will go scott free. had this happened in some civilized country, those part of decision would have resigned for the sake of honor; however, there is no honor amongst the ruling elite of pakistan

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Dr Khan:

Aug 16, 2014 09:37pm

Good decision by the court which may have been somewhat influenced by the long march.This is a good precedence that courts have ordered cases against sitting PM and CM.This will add to common man's trust in courts.

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El Cid

Aug 16, 2014 09:38pm

@Shak: "this is how ZAB got framed in...the rest is history" No sir. He was hit, paid for his Pan-Islamism. He had sent shivers down the spine of the Hegemons. All those that stood up with him for a United Umman were also eliminated. United Islam is a very dangerous idea. Zia was too done as soon as he woke up to his role in it...that sir is the history. The Great Khan is in their cross-hairs now...for the some of the same reasons. Pakistan is not being allowed to be independent. This is your fight now. Stand up and fight for it if you have the guts !

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MSAlvi

Aug 16, 2014 10:12pm

Police will register the case, but who is going to investigate. pat, PTI and other opposition must insist for a special prosecutor. If this case is properly handled with justice, it will restore confidence in Pakistan for lot of people. Let us see.

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Ahmer

Aug 16, 2014 10:16pm

The royal family should fly out before it is put on the exit control list.

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Masoud

Aug 16, 2014 10:57pm

This is a real mauling that will hurt the ruling party.

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Rogers Evans

Aug 16, 2014 11:19pm

Ruling judge needs high appreciation, but his life may be in danger. Nothing will happen till Sharifs are removed.

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Lucky Star

Aug 16, 2014 11:34pm

@Rogers Evans He is PAT's pet, and so he should be suspended.

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Marium

Aug 17, 2014 01:29am

This is just another drama from pml-n just to show people how honest their government is. Nothing will happen and no one will be held accountable. Cases will be registered and put away and forgotten.

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asif

Aug 17, 2014 01:59am

@Dr. Muhammad Asghar Saqib do you know what 'charged' means? If he is found guilty he will be convicted, the court has ordered charges to be filed by police.

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Jawad Khan

Aug 17, 2014 02:17am

A session court orders to book top 21 of the govt incl. the PM at this time when everything is going against then already. Somewhere some hidden forces are working hard. Sharifs are going down :)

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Manan

Aug 17, 2014 04:48am

@Shershah He said if the commission holds him responsible not if a fir is registered.

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Manan

Aug 17, 2014 04:54am

Registering a FIR does not mean conviction, that time will tell. They are all innocent till proven guilty

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asad lateef

Aug 17, 2014 05:40am

@Israr Khan Ismailzai This FIR is lolly pop for the audiuance.The judicial report is important which will be presented to the court,where it is reported that police negligence has being concluded.FIR MEANS FIRST INVESTIGTION REPORT,and JUDICIAL REPORT is final report.

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asad lateef

Aug 17, 2014 05:44am

@Haseeb HOW ,judicial report give clean chit to all the accuseds.The same report is the final investigation report.

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asad lateef

Aug 17, 2014 05:51am

@Shershah .Commission give clean chit .commission is holding police responsible .Read between the lines in newspaper .

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asad lateef

Aug 17, 2014 05:59am

@Khan read the commission report.

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khan

Aug 17, 2014 06:13am

Another black hole case as usual nothing will happen

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asad lateef

Aug 17, 2014 06:13am

@Mazhar, Layyah mazhr Bhai,Commistion report give clean chit to all except police.This FIR is for audience .Win win game for both Govt and judiciary.

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asad lateef

Aug 17, 2014 06:18am

@Ahmad the commission report is already there,Now police will investigate Qadri and party,who refused to come before commission headed by a judge.

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Merchant

Aug 17, 2014 11:26am

Cases can only be registered after immediate resignations of PM & CM Sharifs who are the 2 maIn accused. Justice cannot be served with these 2 brothers and their large political family still clinging to power and able to influence police and courts.

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M Saleem chaudhdhry

Aug 17, 2014 03:40pm

Salute to the honourable judge who having true faith in justice, also had guts and nerves to give this stunning judgement on the top notch of sitting government and it's staff. This is bound to boost the image of Pakistani Judiciary across the world and encourage all those who believe in calling a spade a spade,irrespective of the status and position.

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gerry d'cunha

Aug 18, 2014 02:46pm

joke of the centuary by the session court to register case against the shareef brothers - will this ever happen in pakistan against the sitting prime minister and chief minister? the world must be laughing at our judiciary system and why not

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Aug 19, 2014 02:04am

@Iman I don't exactly know who's the "honest" leader. I think of Mr.Khan but he has also made some mistakes. I'm 14 and I have a really big passion for solving pakistan's problems and I just want to do something for the people of pakistan. I'm a patriotic person, I can give up my life for this country. *sigh* but i don't know if Pakistan will survive until I'm old enough to do something. I've made lists and lists on how I can make this country 'Jinnah's Pakistan" as he's my hero. Just pray that I'll be given a chance to serve my people. I may be small but i have huge dreams. Let's hope for the best. Pakistan Zindabad!

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