ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) has decided to become a party in a case related to sacking and suspension of SSP and IG of Islamabad police.

They avoided ‘use of force’ against the protesters of last year’s ‘sit-ins’ of PTI of Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT).

Four former IGs, Iftikhar Rashid, Afzal Ali Shigri, Tariq Pervez and Shaukat Javed, have challenged the sacking of the SSP, Mohammed Ali Nekokara, and suspension of the IG, Aftab Ahmed Cheema.

The PTI’s petition, filed by Dr Shareen Mazari, central secretary information, contended that at the time of ‘sit-ins’ they had observed the conduct of Islamabad police very closely.

The petitioner requested the court that since they were in a better position to explain the conduct of police therefore the stance of PTI may be heard before passing an order on the petition. The IHC single bench would hear this petition on Tuesday.

The petition filed by the former IGs claimed that both officers resolved to follow only legal orders but they were being persecuted.

As per petition long march and subsequent sit-in were political challenges mounted by the PTI and PAT against the PML-N and it was the responsibility of the interior secretary, IGP and SSP Islamabad to strike a balance between the rights of protesters and the residents of Islamabad.

According to the petition, the civil administration and the police force were under solemn obligation to protect the lives, liberties and safety of all citizen and the IGP Cheema and SSP Nekokara tried to maintain that balance, but had been victimized.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2015

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