Shahbaz sacks Rana Sanaullah over Lahore tragedy

E-Paper | February 28, 2026

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday said that he has asked for the resignation of the provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, DawnNews reported.

The announcement comes over the outrage against a police crackdown on workers of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Lahore on Tuesday in which nine people lost their lives.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, the chief minister said that even though Sanaullah has performed his duties in an honest manner for 15 years, he has asked him to resign for the sake of justice.

Shahbaz Sharif also said that he has asked for the resignation of Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Punjab Dr Tauqir.

He said that even though Dr Tauqir was like a younger brother to him, the decision had to be taken as a matter of principle.

Shahbaz Sharif also said that he has ordered the arrest of the police officers involved in the shooting of the protestors.

"If there is doubt over the government's judicial inquiry on the incident, the Supreme Court can be asked to do it instead," he said.

Reacting to the announcement, PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri termed it a ‘drama’ by the chief minister.

“Shahbaz Shahbaz should stop this drama and resign,” he said, adding that Rana Sanaullah would soon be restored to his post.

“By taking this decision, the chief minister has proven wrong the official government statement,” he said.

Rejecting the single-member judicial commission formed by the provincial government to probe into the incident, Qadri demanded that the Supreme Court investigate the killings independently.

“This judicial commission would declare all culprits innocent,” he added.

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asif

Jun 20, 2014 09:45pm

sacking only is not the solution punishment to preparator including cm himself and police herichy is the way to justice for victims

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Junaid

Jun 20, 2014 09:45pm

When is PM asking CM to resign as well till the investigations are complete. And next step would be Army chief asking PM to resign as well till the investigations are complete as they are all the same

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Jun 20, 2014 09:46pm

"...he has asked for the resignation of the provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah." Resignation is not asked for, rather resignation is an honorable matter for people of integrity to tender their resignation. Since no resignation came forth in the first place, it had to be "SACKING." It is just too late for a resignation.

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Jun 20, 2014 09:49pm

If CM Punjab is sincere with PML-N and with the PM (his brother), he must resign in order to put this matter to rest.

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Khan

Jun 20, 2014 09:52pm

Stop gap arrangement or disaster management Shows CM's lack of character

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Sultan Alvi, Canada

Jun 20, 2014 09:58pm

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AJamal

Jun 20, 2014 10:04pm

PM needs to set an example of the rule of law that he espouses. Shabazz Sharif failed to reform police in the last 6 years. Some capable person should be tried to do the job. Governing Pakistan should not be a family affair.

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Kaleem

Jun 20, 2014 10:05pm

Dear CM, Hang yourself or go to exile for life. Only then trolls will be happy. On sidenote, 50+ people died in 3 days in Sewan due to mismanagement by Sindh govt, but social media did not react at all to that. Are they less humans than Qadri followers?

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Arisha G

Jun 20, 2014 10:05pm

Original BNN team, oh how I miss your combined talents on display.

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Abdul Malik

Jun 20, 2014 10:08pm

I am no supporter of Qadri, but have to agree with him that this nothing but a drama enacted by Shabaz Sharif. It's nothing short of an eye wash. The CM himself must resign.

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pakone

Jun 20, 2014 10:14pm

"As a matter of principle," YOU should resign Showbaz if you have any level of dignity left.

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amin

Jun 20, 2014 10:18pm

showbaaz sharif should resign not rana. even though they both suck

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Shahid Khan

Jun 20, 2014 10:19pm

CM should resign. This is the only way to control the situation.

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Fady

Jun 20, 2014 10:21pm

Qurbani ka bakra.lol

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Ahmed

Jun 20, 2014 10:25pm

very sad indeed,punjab is deprived of a very hard working and honest minister

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Zia

Jun 20, 2014 10:26pm

@Sultan Alvi, Canada mr alvi can u tell me in Canada also u can put barrier at your house why u not ask also ur so called molana risgn his post as he is also responsibel for these death

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Adi

Jun 20, 2014 10:27pm

Go for quick judicial inquiry Mr.CM

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Ishrat salim

Jun 20, 2014 10:28pm

This is just a beginning that this govt although under pressure has made home minister to resign.....this step has broken the culture for no head roll....if guys are asking for CM and PM to resign is too much....otherwise, there were more deaths and suicide bombings, crimes, floods of 2010 and 2011 etc; in KP, Karachi and Baluchistan, Sindh during the period of last PPP govt, why no heads rolled and why no such pressure was applied by the people for PM and CMs and interior minister Rahman baba to have resigned.....not one person had the morality, conscience and human value to continue for 5 years..... i am not a fan of any particular party, but what the govt of Punjab has done was wrong and CM has taken steps, may be belated but appropriate to have made Rana Sanaullah to resign at least......who resigned after Thatta and Karachi episode ? Who resigned after same day killing of Shias in Quetta ? At least CM Punjab took step to make his home minister to resign...

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Rizwan

Jun 20, 2014 10:36pm

CM Shahbaz has asked Rana Sanaulla after two days Rana Sanaulla will be made senior minister in Punjab cabinet .

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muhammad

Jun 20, 2014 10:37pm

@Kaleem 50 + died in Sehwan due to natural calamity but 13 people died and more than 100 people badly injured deliberately by Punjab Government there is a lot of difference between natural death and murder please do not make fool of innocent people

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Khawar

Jun 20, 2014 10:40pm

Agreed with Maulana on this that it is a pure drama.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Jun 20, 2014 10:43pm

How about a fair and authentic trial and not a circus for murder of 16 Pakistanis. Chief Minister can fool some people all the time but can not fool all the people all the time. Sadly Punjab is quite about the killings. Folks this is repeat of Karachi killing by a army general, presided by Nawaz Sharif.

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Naeem Syed

Jun 20, 2014 10:47pm

Firing these minions is not the real solution. There people don't breathe without asking Shahbaz , so whatever they have done to date has been on his directions. Shahbaz Sharif should resign and take his son Hamza with Him. Punjab for that matter Pakistan is not their personal property. What business does Hamza have going to Turkey and walking away with business contracts. There is no sense of Impropriety in these people. We got rid of the PPP and these guys hijacked the election, what a way to live.

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waseem

Jun 20, 2014 10:57pm

Mr. Qadri is Mullah drama himself.

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Rashida

Jun 20, 2014 10:57pm

Head of state is responsible for the safety of jan mal n izzat of the people.so they nawaz shahbaz should be punished.

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Pragmatist

Jun 20, 2014 11:00pm

Rana Sanaullah appears to be a irresponsible person from his actions and interviews I have listened in the past. He has no business to be minister or member of the legislative assembly. He actions should be thoroughly invested and strict action taken against him if he is found negligent. Just letting him sit on the sidelines for a while will not do justice and will not help Shahbaz Sharif or PML-N.

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Laeeq,NY

Jun 20, 2014 11:08pm

This is a big win for Mullah from Canada. He will role in as a winner, and will make his position in Pakistani politics even stronger. Now another party leader , controling his followers from Canada, but on video link instead of through telephone line.

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nauman

Jun 20, 2014 11:09pm

All this also proved biased judiciary. Where is suo moto notice???

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Mian

Jun 20, 2014 11:14pm

But let's be frank - for how long will we allow these mullahs to hijack the country in the name of Islam. Who gave Qadri's institution to block roads. How can he do that in the name of Quran. Only such tough actions by administration will salvage our country. Or wait for Taliban to take over cities like Lahore and Islamabad like their brothers did in Iraq. Either they obey the laws of the land or they be given examplry punishment. A Hitler is needed to set this country on track.

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malik

Jun 20, 2014 11:17pm

Resignation of CM or law minster is not enough. Immediate arrest of suspected people with non bail able warrant should be taken place. Supreme court should step in taking sue moto action

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S Rizwan

Jun 20, 2014 11:46pm

@Junaid And who will ask the army chief to resign? they are ALL the same!

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Danny

Jun 20, 2014 11:48pm

"...even though Dr Tauqir was like a younger brother to him." This brotherhood needs to stop. Be professional. Be the servant to people of Pakistan. If you are suspending someone, own it. Stop expressing your personal feelings for people you are suspending.

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Youth

Jun 21, 2014 12:10am

Lollipop to save himself. Punjab CM should resign himself. The concerned police officers should also be sacked

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Rev. Eldrick Lal

Jun 21, 2014 12:32am

Why the Chief Minister of Punjab always act as a interlocutor on different platforms.

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Tanzeel Ahmed

Jun 21, 2014 12:47am

Its quite strange, if Rana Sana Ullah performed His duties with honesty then why he is being forced to resign? Or it was someone else who did the whole massacre and Rana Sana has to take the bullet. In the whole conference by Shahbaz it seemed he was not willing to leave his position, by realizing to people He can do justice with people and for people. Who will take responsibility for wrong doings. I have never been supporter of army in running states but looking at grim situation of Pakistan these dishonest people cannot run a country. we need men with strong roots and good character to run country

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zeshan

Jun 21, 2014 12:47am

do we have any precedent of forced resigning a home minister in pakistan history? what happened when the Bannu jail was breached and 50 plus policemen and others were killed ,resulted in fleeing of 100s of convicted criminals awaiting death sentences...did any one from KPK resign? where were social media trolls than? why there was no empirical hype made on TV media

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Zackariya

Jun 21, 2014 01:09am

Shahbaz Sharif said that he will resign if it was the Punjab Government's negligence. Sacking Sanaullah and his secretary with ABSOLUTE full honors only goes to show how little remorse he has for those who lost their lives in the tragedy. The fact that Punjab Police killed the PAT protesters, the same police who is answerable to the the Chief Minister shows Punjab Government's complicity in the tragedy. In a perfect world, Shahbaz Sharif would have been tried for murder.

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Aamir

Jun 21, 2014 01:16am

CM himself needs to go.

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HouseOfCards

Jun 21, 2014 01:42am

As we all know Rana Sanaullah was used as a scape goat by incumbent government. I strongly believe the nation is facing more dangerous threats then Taliban alone. That is the only reason why Pakistan is continuously on the reverse track disregarding all values of humanity forget about Islamic values. This deeply rooted corruption is eating away Pakistan as a nation like a termite and that day is not far when nothing will be left in Pakistan. Pakistan is losing dignity in the hands of its government for the past decade. The above is a fact and truth I and I am not in denial.

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HouseOfCards

Jun 21, 2014 01:43am

I guess truth hurts.

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Sufi Mateen

Jun 21, 2014 01:48am

MQM is perfect in this resign drama, PMNL is learning it from them.

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Sufi Mateen

Jun 21, 2014 01:54am

@Ishrat salim My dear the people of Pakistan had enough of this. This incident broke the camel back. CM knows it. Rest will be history.

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MARK

Jun 21, 2014 04:05am

A very little but a sense of responsibility from the CM.

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ali

Jun 21, 2014 04:32am

I am really surprised how the people react to the same incident happening in Karachi and other part of Pakistan from decades but no one protests, The PMLN name came for the first time in this sort of incident and everyone is directly excusing them :D, This is a good attitude but should be the same for every other part and party of Pakistan.

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Ahmer

Jun 21, 2014 06:13am

Resignation is no punishment for person like Rana Sahib. He should be in jail.

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MAlvi

Jun 21, 2014 06:52am

CM says that Rana Sanaullah has performed his duties honestly. Then why is he asking an honest man to resign? These leaders are of such a low caliber. No wonder we are where we are.

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daniel shiger

Jun 21, 2014 08:23am

Totally agree with Mr Asif, sacking alone is not the solution. If he was responsible, he should be brought to the court and severely punished, moreover, totally banned from politics for the rest of his life. All his property be confiscated and distributed among those who lost their lives. No mercy, pure justice. If he was not responsible and if this was just a face-saving tactic, which it apparantly seem to be the case, then Shahbaz sharif should be brought to the court and held responsible for his crime. About those who lost their lives, with hundreds apologies, and to Mr Tahir ul Qadri, the peace of the country should not be risked because your people have lost their lives. Pakistanis loose their lives every single day. And they are all innocent. And no one comes on the street for them. So this time these people are not special. Special they are, but not more special than the others who do not belong to your party Mr Qadri What will happend with revolution? Will it bring a change? Can you Mr Tahir ul Qadri make a clear statement when you land at the airport in Pakistan that you will hand Mumtaz Qadri who killed an innocent man Salman Taseer? If not, you are no special. Your people are no special. Let the army do the job and do not create more Mess. You wont live in Pakistan anyway.

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Kaleem

Jun 21, 2014 08:44am

@muhammad What's natural calamity? Was it special heat wave this year? Sewan organizes Lal Shehzad Qalandar every year in this season. Did anyone even ask about 50+ deaths why they happened. Let me take a step back, do we even know how more than 4 dozen people died just because of "Summer" This makes me feel suspect that We dont care about humanity anymore, we are just fond of bashing political opponents.

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Abdul Hameed

Jun 21, 2014 09:17am

Shahbaz Sharif is right he had no idea about the Model Town massacre. Day to day affairs of Punjab are being run by Hamza Shahbaz and he is the one who ordered this action. That is the reason he has not been seen in public since this tragic incident. The Shareefs are afraid that he is young and immature and may spill the beans.

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Talha

Jun 21, 2014 09:48am

I don't understand how was he unaware of the situation. Did nobody call him after watching the TV, were his advisers sleeping? And if he knew and ordered the police to stop and they still didn't then what kind of authority does he have. Either way the entire leadership of the Punjab Government is responsible. If it was for an hour I could have understood his point of view but this thing went on for hours and hours. I

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M.M.Sherazi

Jun 21, 2014 10:40am

It is a very bold decision, representing the honest and sincere efforts of CM in addressing the issue.

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zlodhi

Jun 21, 2014 10:49am

Who is punjab's home minister ?

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zlodhi

Jun 21, 2014 10:56am

Who is the home minister?

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yousuf

Jun 21, 2014 10:56am

why is he sacking others? does he consider himself a monarch ? He (CM Punjab) declares himself democrat then he should resign.

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sab

Jun 21, 2014 11:19am

@Kaleem mismanagement is an opinion but firing on civilans is a fact. I hope you can see the difference

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Imanul

Jun 21, 2014 11:50am

Is it not about time we brought about Punjab Police reformation legislation.

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Nizauddin Ahmad Aali

Jun 21, 2014 05:53pm

The buck stops at CEO of Punjab, CM Nawaz. He should go ASAP. This will be a good thing for the province.

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Farooq

Jun 22, 2014 09:47am

People should not look at C.M. Sharif only in this situation. Look at Pakistan. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown C.M. Sharif. Punjab has thrived under your leadership. Big shoes to fill. But Sir, justice must prevail. No even imagined your departure in this manner. But Sir, resigning will be the right thing to do. Let the judicial system try all involved in murder. Either way, this is a turning point in history of Punjab and probably for Pakistan.

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Malikpur Janderbari Abbottabad

Jun 22, 2014 12:54pm

Enemy succeeded in destabilizing Punjab, as the Punjab was in peace now they conspired in such a beautiful way that all blame goes on Shahbaz Sharif and conspirators with the help of Tahir ul Qadri, Ch Pervez Elahi, Imran Khan and Altaf Hussain will destabilize the country..... once Punjab will cry for Shahbaz Sharif if these conspirator succeeded to oust him....

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M Kay

Jun 22, 2014 09:30pm

Thanks to MAH? Team for doing the honours. Looking forward to it.

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Rashid

Jun 22, 2014 11:16pm

just don't make prediction let the chief minister do his work and he is doing an excellent job he has taken some steps that dhow his sincerity.

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rashad

Jun 23, 2014 12:07am

wow some democracy.. I think even PML N is following their founders footsteps.. zia era is on its way..

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syed hassan haseeb

Jun 23, 2014 01:24am

I think the chief minister must be also sick of rana chandar singh the minister if lies and false statement , howerev he has appointed a new one now he will prove his value/worth

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Will Kenneth

Jun 23, 2014 10:53pm

I think Rana Sanaullah and Dr. Tauqir have not performed their duties in good faith and honestly. Shahbaz Sharif must have been delusional or intoxicated when he made these statements. It is time that he resigns.

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