Model Town JIT formation: LHC seeks reply from federal, Punjab govts

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday extended a stay order for refraining new joint investigation team (JIT) from work until April 11, ARY News reported.

A three-member LHC bench headed by Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan was hearing the case.

The government counsel sought a two-week time to submit reply in the case, however, the judge remarked that it was responsibility of the government to assist the court but it was instead seeking more time to file its reply.

Read: LHC orders new Model Town JIT to stop the probe

The court decided to conduct hearing of the case on daily basis. The LHC bench stated that JITs are formed but nobody turn up to represent the body in the court.

Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Awais whatever happened in the case wasn’t the contempt of court. “I respect the court to the core,” he added. The court asked the AG Punjab to submit his statement in writing.

The LHC sought reply from the federal government, the government of Punjab and JIT members in the case.

It may be noted here that inspector Rizwan and constable Khurram Rafique had filed a petition in the LHC against constitution of the new JIT in the Model Town Case. 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.