LHC dissolves new JIT on Model Town incident

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday dissolved the new joint investigation team (JIT) formed to investigate the 2014 Model Town incident afresh, ARY News reported.

The new JIT was constituted on January 3 this year for a fresh probe into the 2014 Model Town carnage, following a notification issued by the Punjab chief secretary.

The LHC ordered the new JIT to stop the probe and annulled the notification of its constitution. It has sought a reply from the Punjab government regarding the new JIT.

The case in this regard was heard by a three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan.

Prior to the court ruling, Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Awais had expressed distrust on the bench. He said the LHC staff did not bother to inform the Advocate General Office about one of the most important cases in 100 years.

Ahmed Awais shouted that if he was not heard he would walk out from the court. Upon which, a member of the bench hearing the case Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed asked if he wanted to pressurize the court. Shehzad Ahmed warned him to lower his voice otherwise he would be issued contempt of court notice.

The court asked the advocate general to challenge the verdict on the relevant forum.

The advocate general walked out from the court hearing.

Lawyers of Inspector Rizwan and Constable Khurram Rafique had argued that the Supreme Court had given no order about the new JIT.

They had pleaded to the court to quash the new JIT and stop it from investigation as it would affect the Model Town trial.

On June 17, 2014, at least 14 people were killed and 100 others injured when the police opened fire to disperse protesting Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers during an anti-encroachment operation outside the residence of PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri.