LAHORE: A joint investigation team (JIT) probing the Model Town incident on Monday submitted to the single-judge tribunal the record of telephonic conversations held among the chief minister, the former law minister and 16 others before and during the day of the incident.

The tribunal further directed the investigation team to produce transcripts of the conversations by the next hearing.

Model Town inquiry: Tribunal asks for cell phone record

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi held tribunal’s proceedings in his chamber due to lawyers’ strike in solidarity with the people of Gaza, Palestine.

DSP Saiful Murtaza, a member of the JIT, appeared before the tribunal and placed on record the progress report containing details of the mobile phone numbers in use of 18 people along with CDs of the conversation. However, he undertook to place on record the remaining mobile phone numbers in use of the persons required by the tribunal he got hold of them.

Five policemen remanded in custody

The tribunal directed the investigation team member to produce the transcript of the telephonic conversations and also instructed cellular companies to submit the data of the numbers on the next hearing.

Additional IG Altaf Husain also presented a report of SOPs of communication between the police command during the police operations like the one conducted against Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers.

The Lahore district and sessions judge presented a report along with statements of the four injured persons before the tribunal. The tribunal, on the last hearing, had appointed him as local commission to record statements of the injured who were under treatment at Jinnah Hospital.

SSP Special Branch Muhammad Waqar Abbasi submitted two CDs, containing the footages made by the agency during the June 17 operation.

Intelligence Bureau Director Admin Masroor Alam and Director Lahore Sajid Bilal placed on record a report on the incident.

Inter-Services Intelligence Deputy Director Asad Ali Khan submitted a report and two CDs of the incident.

The tribunal adjourned further hearing until July 16.

Remand: An anti-terrorism court on Monday remanded five cops in police custody for their alleged involvement in the killing of Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s workers outside the residence of Dr Tahirul Qadri in Model Town.

Faisal Town police produced Sabzazar SHO Sheikh Amir Saleem, Elite Force Inspector Hafiz Athar, Head-Constable Naveed and two constables Kashif and Khurram before the court amid tight security.

The investigating officer told Presiding Judge Rai Ayub Marth that the weapons used by the cops during the shooting on the day of incident had been recovered. He said further custody was required for more investigation in the case.

The judge accepted the plea and granted five-day physical remand of the cops to police with a direction to complete investigation by the next hearing.

GULLU BUTT: The judge also extended physical remand of Gullu Butt in the case of smashing private vehicles outside Minhajul Quran Secretariat during an anti-encroachment operation carried out by the government.

The investigating officer told the court that the club used by the suspect for smashing the cars was recovered, however, a pistol used by him for aerial firing was yet to be seized.

He requested the court to extend physical remand of the suspect to complete the investigation.

Therefore, the judge extended the remand of Gullu Butt for five days.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2014