Model Town JIT likely to record Nawaz Sharif's statement in Jail today

LAHORE: A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) inquiring into the Model Town carnage will likely to record the statement of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore on Monday, ARY News reported.

Accountability Court Islamabad on Thursday allowed the Punjab police to question former prime minister Nawaz Sharif about the Model Town case, who is serving seven-year prison term in Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Accountability Judge Arshad Malik had granted a plea moved by DSP Muhammad Iqbal seeking permission to question the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader in the case.

The JIT has also summoned PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif for recording his statement in the case today.

The probe team, had recently rejected a plea of Shehbaz Sharif seeking to submit his statement without appearing before the JIT.

PML-N leaders Pervez Rasheed, Khawaja Asif and Rana Sanaullah were already appeared before the newly constituted investigation team of Model Town carnage to record their statements.

According to sources, the JIT recorded statements of 85 witnesses, while 90 officials of the police department also appeared before the JIT and recorded their statements over the incident.

Seven PML-N leaders including former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, former chief minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, his son Hamza Shehbaz, Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Asif,former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali and Abid Sher Ali were earlier summoned by the probe team to record their statements.

The Punjab Home Department on Jan 3 had formed a new JIT, on the Supreme Court orders for a fresh probe into the Model Town incident.

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 in Model Town Lahore.