Did not order police to open fire on PAT workers, says Sana

Dawn.com Published June 30, 2014

LAHORE: Rana Sanaullah and Dr Tauqir Shah ex-principal secretary to Punjab chief minister appeared before the judicial commission formed by the Lahore High Court to probe the Model Town incident where the former law minister of Punjab denied responsibility for the incident, DawnNews reported.

Sana said he was aware of an anti-encroachment drive in Model Town area and that police had informed him that PAT workers were engaged in stone-pelting but the situation was under control.

The former provincial law minister said he had not ordered police to open fire at the PAT protesters and denied he was responsible for the incident.

Moreover, some of those wounded during the Model Town incident also appeared before the commission to record their statements.

At least seven people had died and scores wounded during a violent clash between police and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) supporters in Lahore's Model Town area on June 17.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif removed then provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and his own secretary Dr Tauqir Shah on June 20, saying “the difficult decision was necessary to make it visible to everyone that justice is being done” in the Model Town police clash case.

TuQ

Pakistan

Punjab Assembly speaker endorses referendum proposal on new provinces

Conductor punished for pushing woman off bus in Lahore

Pink Rehri bazaars set up in Sargodha, Faisalabad

L Ahmad

Jun 30, 2014 03:46pm

Who ordered to fire upon innocent citizens? The person responsible should be charged with multiple murders.

Recommend 0

sameer

Jun 30, 2014 03:51pm

Justice will only be done when CM resigns. He should do so himself as it would be the right thing to do.

Recommend 0

syed wasim haider

Jun 30, 2014 03:52pm

It is better in the larger interest of the party that Mr. Rana and Mr. Saad Rafique stop giving unwanted statements. This is more dangerous if the Police started firing without any superior's order.

Recommend 0

M.M.Sherazi

Jun 30, 2014 03:53pm

Rana Sana, despite having full authority in the capacity of Law Minister shall never issue such directives targeting the shoot out of PAT workers. Rana Sana stands out prominent whilst dealing with such situations with calm attitude and wisdom orientated decision. The Model Town incident if diagnosed properly shall lift the curtain contaminated with conspiracies and covert motives of the concealed hands.

Recommend 0

Kublai

Jun 30, 2014 04:02pm

Shahbaz has it backwards. He, himself, and Hamza need to resign. Hamza was involved in the planning.

Recommend 0

Azmat Khan

Jun 30, 2014 04:50pm

Definitely the police force contained some agents and supporters of Qadri to do this task.Qadri needed some corpses before entering Pakistan to start his business of agitation against the government.

Recommend 0

Ahmer

Jun 30, 2014 04:52pm

"Nobody gave the orders. Guns fired on their own", Shahbaz Sharif.

Recommend 0

Mansoor

Jun 30, 2014 05:40pm

My only interest is if and when the report of this commision is made available. Blame appropriated and steps taken for the tragedy never to be repeated.

Recommend 0

Rakaposhi

Jun 30, 2014 06:35pm

Removing encroachments is not police responsibility but the town or city administration responsibility. The system is blind in Punjab, nothing will come out of this commission report other than fixing the blame on police or someone else.

Recommend 0

Israr khan Ismailzai

Jun 30, 2014 06:45pm

Only happens in Pakistan, but who ordered it anyways?? now i am seriously curious.

Recommend 0

Khurram

Jun 30, 2014 08:11pm

Rana now be a man of integrity, why are you running away from the judicial commission.

Recommend 0

Arif Khan.

Jun 30, 2014 08:44pm

The Court will decide on the basis of evidence and Punjab Police under Shahbaz can always fabricate and get rid of real facts that is why an Independant 3 Judge Commission at Supreme Court level is demanded by the aggrieved Party (TMQ) otherwise this One man Commission at Punjab level is helpless & bound to rule according to the wishes of Shahbaz. Furthermore, under Law if one of the Parties shows dissent towards a C

Recommend 0

Namaloom Fard

Jun 30, 2014 09:23pm

In any other civilized country it would be the Chief of Chiefs who would have resigned! But then we are talking about civilized people!!!!

Recommend 0

Mian Kashif Mumtaz

Jun 30, 2014 09:26pm

Shahbaz Sharif himself is responsible of firr. Sana is just a puppet.

Recommend 0

Sardar Khan

Jun 30, 2014 09:42pm

@Azmat Khan, Are you serious or just an idiot jealla of Shabaz Sharif?

Recommend 0

Muhammad Naqvi

Jun 30, 2014 10:17pm

Sorry, I thought the death toll in this horrific and unforgiveable incident was nearly 14 and not just 7! Or is it Dawn playing the numbers game?

Recommend 0

Harmony

Jun 30, 2014 10:24pm

@Azmat Khan - So,

Recommend 0

Khalid Abdullah

Jun 30, 2014 11:28pm

It is not the similarities between Lal Masjid and Model town tragedies, it is the differences which are more worrisome. One was executed by Pakistan Military, the recent one by democratically elected government. Both showing utter failure on part of establishment. failure in intelligence gathering, planning, and leadership. The resolution of such degree of violence by the state is in the hands of the citizens. This readiness to die for a cause by young protesters and eagerness to kill by state machinery is pointing towards breakdown of society.

Recommend 0

Mohammad Akhtar

Jul 01, 2014 12:03am

Is he telling the Truth?

Recommend 0

Mehereen

Jul 01, 2014 01:20am

Maybe one of his cronies at lashkaray jhangvi ordered it????

Recommend 0

coolie

Jul 01, 2014 03:08am

So true.

Recommend 0

arshad khan

Jul 01, 2014 07:34am

some one either rana sahib or sharif sahib chief minister r responsible, court must bring. out the fact.

Recommend 0

Waqar

Jul 01, 2014 11:32am

@Ahmer ............. Great comment Bro! Here is another version............. "Nobody gave the orders. PAT workers committed suicide on removal of barricades from TuQ residence", Shahbaz Sharif. And, then Rana Sanaullah would second by saying, "We clearly see the hand of IK / PTI, it is an international conspiracy against Sharif Bros."

Recommend 0

khanm

Jul 02, 2014 10:41am

@L Ahmad you will never know... in politics you scratch my back i scratch yours...

Recommend 0

khanm

Jul 02, 2014 03:24pm

@arshad khan it will never be in your life time....

Recommend 0