Sana regrets Model Town killings, gets four days to file formal statement

• Dr Tauqeer Shah also given four days to submit statement on affidavit
• Chief secy justifies transfers of police and district govt officials in wake of incident 

Former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah Khan on Thursday told the one-person judicial commission probing the Model Town killings case that maintaining law and order in the province was his responsibility and that he regretted the happenings on June 11 when over 12 political workers were killed and more than 80 others were injured in police violence.

Sanaullah pleaded to the court for some time for submitting his statement on an affidavit, which was granted by Justice Baqir Ali Najfi who gave the former law minister four days’ time.

Former principal secretary to the chief minister, Dr Tauqeer Shah also appeared before the tribunal on Thursday and made a similar request. He too was given four days to submit his statement.

Following the Model Town incident, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif removed his law minister and principal secretary from their posts.

On Thursday, the Punjab chief secretary appeared before the tribunal and justified the transfer of the Punjab police chief, DCO Lahore and other police officers.

Justifying the transfer and appointment of the new IGP, the chief secretary said a panel of three officers was set up and Shahbaz Sharif ordered to appoint Mushtaq Sukhera. He said that the transfer of DCO and other police officers were also routine transfers.

Shafqat Mahmood Chohan, president of Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), told the tribunal that he and president of Lahore Bar Association wanted to assist the judge in carrying out the inquiry. He said regardless of political affiliation and status of any personality, they wanted justice for the victims.

Lawyers also appeared before the tribunal and suggested that the tribunal should summon records of phone calls of Dr Tauqeer to ascertain whom he was in contact with during the operation.

Another counsel suggested that the chief minister and former IGP Khan Baig should also be summoned. On request of the tribunal, reporters of three television channels submitted footage of the incident.

The tribunal has also summoned those injured during the clashes. The Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) was directed to ensure the victims presence before the tribunal. The Punjab home secretary and the Lahore commissioner have also been summoned on June 30.