Qadri calls Panama JIT 'election cell' of PML-N

LAHORE: Political temperature of the country is expected to rise as Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri landed in the provincial capital of Punjab on Sunday morning to breathe what he said a new life into his party’s struggle for justice for the victims of the Model Town incident.

At least 11 PAT workers were killed and over 100 people were injured during the clash with law enforcement in Lahore in June 2014.

After landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, the fiery cleric took a dig at his opponents, saying the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the Sharif family was acting as an election cell of the ruling party. The JIT was shaping the ruling party’s manifesto, he added.

He was skeptical about the JIT’s success in establishing the money trail behind the Sharif family’s London properties, saying, he didn’t expect much from it.

Speaking to reporters on the premises of the airport, Qadri said, “I have returned to the country as there was no progress in the Model town incident case. The case is being postponed on one pretext or another. Real culprits are not being summoned to the court. The one who was declared murderer by investigators is enjoying posting at a police station.”

While commenting on the leaked photo of the premier’s elder son Hussain Nawaz, the PAT chief said the photo leak was a drama staged by the ruling party itself. “It (PML-N) leaked the photo to show the JIT in bad lights. The photo leak issue and party’s severe criticism of the JIT members are part of a conspiracy to prove that the JIT is impartial.”

He said he was in constant touch with the leaders of various political parties and would play his role in fostering unity among them.