Daily Times

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote another letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial requesting the formation of a judicial commission to probe the attempted assassination of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

The prime minister, in his letter, said that the federal government would be indebted to the Supreme Court for consideration of its request in the interest of rule of law, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release on Tuesday. He assured that the federal government would provide full assistance to the commission in reaching to this objective.

It was stressed that in the opinion of the federal government, for the sake of actual factors and public confidence, the formation of the judicial commission was necessary. The proposed Court’s commission should bring forth the facts and fix the responsibility, it was further prayed.

Whether the law enforcement agencies and administrative authorities adopted the relevant investigation process! Whether they had collected the evidences and put in place the process to counter the situation on the spot! If not, then what were the shortcomings in the legal process! and what administrative authorities, law enforcement entities and provincial authorities were held responsible! Whether deliberate hurdles were being created in the investigation process! If hurdles were being created then who were the elements behind it and why they were doing so! the contents of the letter further said.

Whether it was a conspiracy to murder PTI chairman or whether it was an individual act, and in any case, who were responsible! The prime minister, in his letter, said that the country was plunged into chaos and law and order situation after the occurrence of the sorrowful firing incident on a procession of Imran Khan in Wazirabad.

The PTI leaders had been delivering venom laced speeches and due to the violent protests, threats were created for the state and for the lives and properties of the citizens. The global media and national media were covering the events. And after a lapse of 72 hours, no FIR had been lodged. Unfortunately, the contents of the letter said, the PTI’s Punjab government did not adhere to the legal procedures which were mandatory in such like situation. It was equally pathetic that the crime scene was not secured.

The container where the incident took place and where the people received injuries, was not secured for the purpose of forensic examination. The medico-legal report of the PTI’s chairman was not compiled as he was rushed to a private hospital which was not a legal procedure.

The process which was adopted after the incident, gave rise to suspicions that the provincial government and its responsible could tamper with the evidences. It amounted to mala fide manifestation that relevant legal procedures had not been adopted over the probe process and collection of evidences, the prime minister said in the letter, adding that the federal government had already addressed a letter to the provincial administration, expressing its serious reservations.

The prime minister, in the letter, observed that the Supreme Court had always played a pivotal role in upholding the supremacy of the constitution and rule of law. The current situation posed serious threats to the law and order situation and solidarity of the country, so it was necessary to constitute a judicial commission.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif penned another letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial seeking the formation of a judicial commission to probe the death of slain journalist Arshad Sharif.

He said that Sharif’s mother had also asked him to form a commission and the government fully backs her demand.