The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday inquired for the name of the officer who issued orders for the Sahiwal police operation, a private TV channel reported.
“Tell me, who gave the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials order to conduct the operation? Bring the record in which the CTD officer gave order for it,” the high court ordered, warning that if the record was altered then everybody would be responsible for the consequences.
A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sardar Shamim Khan heard the case on formation of judicial commission on the Sahiwal incident. “Don’t beat about the bush, just tell us name of that officer,” the court inquired from the state prosecutor. The prosecutor replied that those who conducted the Sahiwal operation were behind the bars. Expressing displeasure over absence of the inspector general of Punjab police, the LHC chief justice wondered why he did not turn up despite having been summoned. The prosecutor said victim Khalil’s brother was called several times but he was not getting involved in the inquiry. The head of the joint investigation team apprised the high court that investigation was being carried forward with the help of surveillance camera footages and witnesses. Lawyer of the victim family, Shehbaz Bukhari, alleged that the CTD officials were pressurizing Khalil’s heirs to change their statements.
Meanwhile, Punjab chief minister’s spokesperson Dr Shahbaz Gill said he has assured the deceased’s family that if despite all promises being made, they were not satisfied with the probe, a judicial commission will be formed according to their wishes.
Published in Daily Times, February 5th 2019.