LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan on Tuesday summoned Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Amjad Javed Saleemi on Jan 24 along with the record of Sahiwal killings on two petitions demanding an impartial inquiry into the incident through a judicial commission.

During the hearing, the chief justice questioned whether the court had the power to order the government to constitute a judicial commission. A provincial law officer stated that under the Punjab Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance 1969, the government had the power to appoint a judicial commission with the consultation of the LHC chief justice. However, he pointed out that the federal government was empowered to form a judicial commission.

The law officer said the government had taken the matter seriously and formed a joint investigation team (JIT) to determine facts.

At this, the chief justice directed the petitioners’ counsel to also file applications with the federal government for the constitution of a judicial commission and observed that the court would take up this point later.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Khan directed the IGP to appear in person on Jan 24 along with the record of the case. Before adjourning the hearing, he observed that the matter was of public interest.

Advocates Safdar Shaheen Pirzada and Mian Asif Mahmood appeared on behalf of the petitioners. They argued that the JIT formed by the government will not be able to find out the truth and hold the responsible police personnel guilty of their crime since its members belonged to the police and other security forces. They added that the JIT would not go against the personnel of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

They asked the court to order the prime minister to constitute a judicial commission to hold an impartial inquiry into the incident.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2019