Torture during long march: Punjab govt to conduct judicial inquiry

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to conduct a judicial inquiry into the alleged police torture unleashed against the PTI workers, supporters and other citizens during its “peaceful” long march on Islamabad on May 25, ARY News reported.

This was announced by Punjab Home Minister Col retired Hashim Dogar.

Talking to the media, Dogar said that he had requested Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to write a letter to Home Ministry seeking judicial inquiry into police torture on long marchers.

“Police officials should appear before JIT and tell on whom directions the action was launched against peaceful PTI protesters on Mach 25,” he said.

Last month, the Punjab government announced launching a crackdown against individuals involved in the torture on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers amid their march toward Islamabad.

Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Illahi had ordered to start arresting people involved in the torture of PTI workers on May 25, 2022. PTI workers and leaders were tortured and detained during their Long March on May 25.

Interior Minister Punjab Hashim Dogar has said that officers who are found guilty in the investigations will have to face the law. The torture of PTI workers on May 25 is unparalleled in Pakistan’s history, he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that multiple PTI leaders have been named in cases alleging them of inciting violence during the March 25 long march.