- PTI chief seeks removal of Shahbaz, Sanaullah, others over killings of TMQ workers in Lahore
- Khan to visit homes of deceased TMQ workers to offer condolences, will also visit the injured persons at Jinnah Hospital
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Denouncing the clash between police and Tehreek-e-Minhaj-ul-Quran (TMQ) workers in Lahore following an anti-encroachment crackdown at Minhajul Quran Secretariat which resulted in eight deaths, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday sought resignations from Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan and demanded termination of the Punjab Police inspector general over his alleged “criminal negligence and brutality” over the issue.
Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, the PTI chief pointed a finger at Punjab chief minister’s “style of governance”, which he said reminded him of “fascist regimes”.
Rejecting the judicial commission formed by Punjab chief minister to probe the matter, Khan said that the findings of such commissions in the past had never been made public and such tactics were actually aimed at “covering up the matter”.
Flanked by senior party leaders, Khan said his party had decided to call off all its public meetings in the wake of North Waziristan operation, but now PTI’s public meeting in Bahawalpur would be held on June 27.
Holding Shahbaz responsible for the brutal police attack at TMQ workers, Khan alleged that Sharifs had also used Punjab Police as a “political tool to settle scores with their opponents”. Khan alleged that Punjab Police had also been “misused” to steal public mandate in last year’s general elections.
The PTI chairman said that the Lahore killings had proved that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had “no leadership skills” and he was “afraid” of Dr Tahirul Qadri’s return to Pakistan.
Khan also took to task the Punjab government’s assertion that the police action had been conducted to remove barricades around Minhajul Quran Secretariat, asking why the barricades around Sharif’s palaces in Raiwind and Model Town were not removed.
The IG police should be put behind the bars while the home secretary should also go home, he demanded.
Khan said that his party would hold a consultative meeting in Lahore today (Wednesday) to chalk out its future strategy.
KHAN TO OFFER CONDOLENCES:
Meanwhile, sources told Pakistan Today that the PTI chief is expected to visit the homes of TMQ workers who were killed by Lahore police when he arrives in Lahore today. Khan will also visit Jinnah Hospital where most of the injured persons are being treated.