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Three-member committee constituted to investigate stampede at PTI rally

Dawn.com Published October 11, 2014
PTI supporters tend to a stampede victim at a hospital in Multan on October 10, 2014. — Photo by AFP
PTI supporters tend to a stampede victim at a hospital in Multan on October 10, 2014. — Photo by AFP

LAHORE: The provincial government of Punjab on Saturday formed a three-member committee to investigate the stampede incident at a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) rally in Multan which claimed at least seven lives and left 42 others injured.

The stampede had started as people began leaving from one of the three gates leading out of the stadium where the rally was being held, soon after PTI Chairman Imran Khan departed from the venue after addressing supporters.

Also read: Stampede at PTI Multan rally kills at least seven

The committee will be headed by Environment Secretary Iqbal Muhammad and other members include DIG Ali Amir Malik and Special Secretary Home Department Dr Shoaib Akhtar.

The committee will investigate the stampede from various angles and then submit a report to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

During a media briefing, Punjab government spokesman Zaeem Qadri said there had been an agreement between District Coordination Officer (DCO) Multan and the PTI that if any untoward incident took place, then the latter would be responsible.

He said the PTI administration did not have the capacity to make requisite arrangements for rallies.

Qadri expressed surprise that PTI Chairman Imran Khan considered it appropriate to go to Islamabad instead of staying in Multan after the tragic incident took place.

Explore: PTI chief blames Punjab govt for Multan stampede

Read more

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Comments (15) Closed
Nisar Ahmad
Oct 11, 2014 02:05pm
PTI as per standard lies will blame someone else . Murder case should be registered agains PT I chairman, Shah muhammad Qureshi who grinds teeth while talking ,Sh. Rashid for this disaster . They are seeding hatred, have no capacity to manage and now will do politics on dead bodies of poor and innocent workers . Pl IK come down from inflated egoism and help incumbent Govt for stability and economic development and be sure you will be next PM. You always talk about as Kaptan and World Cup 1992. You know how many times Ponting won for Ausralia,Kapil and Dhoni for India,and West Indies great but they passing humble and respectful life. They are not dividing nation,do not make hate speeches and destroying economy.
Recommend 0
Vikas Rehman
Oct 11, 2014 02:12pm
This is one committee whose findings are likely to be made public, and they should be? But one must ask where is the JIT report regarding the tragedy of Model Town and umpteen other such reports?
Recommend 0
adnan
Oct 11, 2014 03:03pm
how shameful is the goverment using whatever tactics its can to gain ... shame on the goverment for clsing gates for no reason
Recommend 0
Haider Rehman
Oct 11, 2014 03:06pm
Stampede likely to happen (when people panic) when lights suddenly go out and 2 out of 6 entry/leave gates are open. Next time Pti should take over entry and leave problem and leave security to Govt, like dharna in Islamabad ( which is very well organised).
Recommend 0
Qamar
Oct 11, 2014 03:07pm
Punjab Government was very quick in this matter to form the committee to investigate the stampede, because they want to put immediate blame on PTI. You will see the result.
Recommend 0
Maheen
Oct 11, 2014 03:13pm
Whoever closed the gates is criminally responsible. Who locks an exit ?
Recommend 0
Imran
Oct 11, 2014 03:27pm
Take my result from now. The govt/commission will blame PTI management. But lemme tell you that the gates were not in the custody of PTI as shown in the affidavit
Recommend 0
razia
Oct 11, 2014 03:36pm
I too am surprised that IK did not stay back to attend the injured and dead. He is so different form before has little or no empathy for others it is all about himself and when I this when I that. I find this whole situation some what fake from all ends. I never see them sitting with the people of the Dharna they lunch in Kosar Market top restaurants. And here again he should have stayed and attended or at least meet the families. It seems to me that all this is staged for their own benefit just like anyone else. The saddest part of all is it is once again the poor people suffering at the end of the day.
Recommend 0
Muhammed Ali
Oct 11, 2014 03:37pm
Another committee another whitewash...nobody will be held responsible while these backdoor leaders are in power.
Recommend 0
Masoud
Oct 11, 2014 03:53pm
Something smell foul. This tragedy looks like a fabricated accident. Why the gates were closed, why the lights went off, so many things looks suspected.
Recommend 0
ali ahmed
Oct 11, 2014 04:25pm
PTI should learn how to organize public meeting,they start preparing one week before actual date...members of assembly and ordinary members are involved,even for food PTI members fight among them self.There is no discipline in PTI..
Recommend 0
ali
Oct 11, 2014 04:29pm
New Evidence has surfaced which clearly points towards the DCO Multan 1. Despite DCO claims it has been established PTI's Generators were working and stadium was Lit 2. The Street Lights surrounding the Stadium were switched off every one could see through Helicam video and from Eye Witness Video Fotage now available online 3. Contrary to the DCO Multan claims that All exit doors were open a very damaging video has been released which shows how the Exit Gates were Locked by the Police from Out side 4. Water Canons were used by the DCO, which caused panic & people slipped in the dark exits I am no expert but all the evidence points towards a conspiracy , I leave it on the experts to decide by themselves
Recommend 0
Junaid
Oct 11, 2014 04:38pm
Major responsibility lies on the hands of the DCO which at the time of the incident didn't open the remaining gates and as per the mainstream news channels only 2 gates were open at the time of the incident. Even Eye witnesses in the hospital that were present at the venue confirmed the speculation that only 2 gates were open at the time of the incident and after that the District Gov. sprayed high pressure water on the attendants coming towards the gates which ultimately caused more panic and more people to run towards the already congested exit causing more pressure on the people that were stuck below the people on top causing their deaths. I hope that clears all misconceptions.
Recommend 0
Khan-Haqiqi
Oct 11, 2014 06:36pm
Shame on Imran Khan for not staying at venue, this shows how much he cares about people
Recommend 0
Hugh Slaman
Oct 12, 2014 12:04am
The committee to investigate this was formed very quickly! Why such a delay over the investigation of the Model Town tragedy?
Recommend 0

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