FAISALABAD: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah appeared before SSP (Operations) Irfanullah Khan and recorded his statement in response to the allegations levelled by Naveed alias Commando, a convicted target killer.

Commando, in his confessional statement, alleged that he had gunned down Asghar Ali alias Bhola Gujjar and three others – Khurram Bajwa, Aslam Jora and Arshad Lohar – on the directions of Rana Sanaullah.

However, Sana refuted Commando’s claim, saying he had neither met Commando nor had talked to him ever in his life.

The SSP was appointed as inquiry officer by City Police Officer Afzaal Kausar on the directions of Anti-Terrorism Court judge Pervez Akhtar to probe the confessional statement of Commando.

Sana was earlier summoned by the SSP on Friday; however, he did not appear.

Commando was convicted by the ATC on Oct 21 and the court handed down him capital punishment four times.

Talking to reporters after recording his statement, Rana Sana said he had informed the SSP that he had never met or talked to Commando. He said he had confronted an under-arrest accused in Bhola murder case, Ayaz Babli.

Sana said he had spent two hours at the SSP office and responded the questions asked by the officer.

He said the group of killers, led by fugitive SHO Farrukh Waheed, had drafted the story against him and Commando, one of their accomplices, had been made a scapegoat.

The group was trying to stop me from pursuing the case, he said, adding the complainants in Bhola Gujjar case and his family had also recorded their statements and endorsed his stance.

Sana alleged that Waheed had connections with his political rivals. He said arrangements had been made to bring Waheed back to Pakistan, warrants for him had been obtained through the Interpol and he would be brought back to Pakistan from the UK soon.

Sana said some absconding accused in the Bhola Gujjar case could be involved in the killing of Sub-Inspector Rana Atif. He dispelled the impression that two absconders, Noni Butt and Jugnu, would be killed in staged encounters after the arrest.

The SSP has already registered the statements of Ishfaq alias Chachu, a close friend of Rana Sana, Pervez Niazi and Mohsin on Thursday.

The officer has to submit his report to the court on Nov 23.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2015