LAHORE: In a letter to speakers of National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, and Punjab Assembly, Pervaiz Elahi, the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) has questioned appointments of Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz [as opposition leaders] because both are nominated in the Model Town killings case.

Both are nominated in the First Information Report (FIR) lodged with Faisal Town police station on the order of the court. It is proven by the Justice Baqar Najfi Report that the killing of 14 people was not an accident, but a premeditated killing spree, says the letter.

“Police was sent in with clear instructions to carry out the killing and the police did that precisely. The accused are now leaders of the opposition both in the national and the Punjab assembly. These are coveted posts and mere numerical strength in the house is not a sufficient qualification for them; strength of character matters as well,” says the letter written by the PAT secretary general.

“In addition to the killings, the former chief minister is facing massive corruption allegations in the 56 companies that he created in the province. His front men are now in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). By appointing such people as leaders of the opposition, the democratic institutions would not earn any popular respect. The Sharifs have never let any post, involving any amount of official facilities, go out of family. They are now leading the opposition in both houses, which is tragic,” the letter maintains.

The PAT also took the occasion to praise austerity drive announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan. His decision of not staying in the prime minister house reflects his pain for the nation’s economic woes.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2018