LAHORE
Pakistan People’s Party Punjab Information Secretary Dr Fakharuddin Chaudhry and Punjab Governor’s Principal Secretary Ahmed Nawaz Sukhaira appeared at the FIA office on Monday to record their statements on a report of the Special Branch regarding the alleged assassination plot of the Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khawaja Sharif.
After getting his statement recorded, the PPP Punjab information secretary told reporters that the conspiracy was an attempt to taint the PPP’s reputation. Chaudhry blamed PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah for “pressing Rana Maqbool to initiate the conspiracy”, adding that he had nothing to do with the issue.
He said he had received summons from FIA officials late on Sunday after which he decided to appear before the inquiry officer. The principal secretary to the Punjab governor told reporters that he was a servant of the government, adding that whenever he was summoned by any inquiry officer he would get his statement recorded.
Sukhaira said the plot to assassinate LHC CJ Khawaja Sharif had not been planned at the Governor’s House. Chief Prosecutor Rana Maqbool Ahmed did not appear before the inquiry officer despite receiving four FIA summons. On other hand, Special Branch Deputy Superintendent of Police Tariq Dhilon also interrogated one accused, Iqbal Meer.
The DSP inquired Meer about his connections with the PPP Punjab information secretary and another accused of the case, Baber Sindhu. The DSP also asked Meer whether he had ever visited the Governor’s House to which he replied in the negative. Meer also denied having any connections with Chaudhry or Sindhu.
Sources said Meer was allowed to go after he got his statement recorded with the DSP. Well-placed sources claimed that after statements by Chaudhry and Sukhair, the FIA officials have completed their inquiry report and declared the report of Special Branch as bogus.
