GUJRAT: Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar on Sunday said incidents like the one in Sahiwal take place everywhere in the world, and asked people not to question if this was how the ‘new Pakistan’ or ‘state of Madina’ – that his government has promised to introduce -- will be like.

He admitted the incident was undoubtedly tragic wherein an innocent family became a victim, but it was most imperative to thoroughly investigate the incident to determine the truth.

The governor expressed these views while talking to the media in Lehri village of Jhelum district after condoling with member of Britain’s House of Lords, Lord Nazir Ahmed, over the demise of his sister. The governor also laid a floral wreath at the grave of the deceased.

Mr Sarwar said that the same Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had rendered great services to curb terrorism in Punjab during the last four years without the deployment of Rangers, army personnel or other law enforcement agencies.

He added that the government had formed a joint investigation team with representatives from the Inter-Services Intelligence, Military Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau, police and other law enforcement agencies, adding that there should be no doubt over the professional capabilities, integrity and credibility of these members.

The governor said that although the family that was targeted in the CTD operation was innocent, the vehicle they were travelling in was suspicious as per intelligence reports of the CTD. However, let the JIT complete its probe to reach a final conclusion, he added. Once responsibility was fixed in the JIT report, those found guilty would surely be punished as per law.

At the same time, Mr Sarwar said, people should bear in mind that terrorism had tarnished the country’s image as well as the economy.

Answering a question, he ruled out any threat to the government in the Centre as well as in Punjab. He also commended the services and sacrifices of the people of Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir for Pakistan and vowed to get upgraded the Mangla road that connected Dina and Jhelum with Mangla and Mirpur.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2019