KARACHI, March 24: Relatives of the ‘police firing victim’ urged the higher authorities in the provincial government to constitute an impartial inquiry into the incident and take punitive action against those police officials found responsible for killing an innocent citizen.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club here on Friday, the relatives of the victim Saeeduz Zafar alleged that police were manipulating the investigation to cover up the extra-judicial killing.

Sardar Aalam, the brother-in-law of the victim, while giving a detailed account of the incident said that Saeed had received a bullet in his back, which travelled out of his chest, between the Allahwali Chowrangi and Nursery bus stop on March 13.

He disputed the police claim that a shootout between police and outlaws took place. In fact, three policemen ASI Abu Umair, HC Tahir and a man in civvies opened indiscriminate firing without provocation and justification giving an impression that some outlaws were fleeing. But, he said, the police had failed to provide circumstantial evidence to prove its stance.

He alleged that the Medico Legal Officer at the hospital had issued the death certificate without conducting the post-mortem examination. He termed the police action an act of criminal negligence. Sardar Aalam said that the Ferozabad police refused to register the case against those police officials responsible for the extra-judicial killing.

“We have submitted applications to the office of the Inspector-General of Police and other high police officials and are waiting for any action on our request,” he added.

Sardar, on behalf of the deceased’s family, asked President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad and Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Rahim, to issue orders for constituting an impartial inquiry into the case, and the registration of FIR against the responsible policemen and give them exemplary punishment.