LHC summons IG Punjab on Jan 24 over Sahiwal encounter

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday summoned Inspector General Punjab Police Amjad Javed Saleemi on Jan 24 and directed him to submit a report over the Sahiwal encounter, reported ARY News.

The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department had killed four people, including parents Nabila and Khalil, their daughter and an alleged terrorist in the Sahiwal encounter over the weekend.

A single judge bench headed by LHC Chief Justice Sardar Shamim Ahmad Khan was hearing a petition filed by advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada pertaining to initiating a judicial inquiry into the Sahiwal incident.

The federal and Punjab government along with Punjab home secretary were named respondents in the petition.

During the hearing, the court directed the petitioner to approach the federation for a judicial inquiry into the aforementioned encounter.

Citing the unfortunate Sahiwal incident, the petitioner alleged that the government of Punjab had miserably failed in maintaining peace throughout the province.

“Punjab government termed the deceased people as terrorists instead of apprehending the real culprits,” read the petition. “The statements of Chief Minister Punjab, Governor Punjab and Punjab law minister contradict with each other.”

Pirzada further alleges that Punjab government ordered the formation of a joint investigation team because of the criticism it started receiving after the fake encounter. “Summon the chief minister to ascertain facts and grant a relief package to the family of the deceased people.”

In response, the court stated that the “inquiry and tribunal act” is quite evident regarding the formation of a commission.