- Minister says govt, PAT have agreed on holding independent enquiry into Model Town incident
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has assured that talks were heading in a positive direction with Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and the final round of the talks will be held on Friday.
Speaking to journalists after meeting PAT’s dialogue committee, the planning minister said that they had evolved a consensus regarding enquiry of Model Town tragedy and had agreed on holding an independent enquiry in the case.
He said that PAT experts would give final draft of recommendations on Friday while consultations on PAT’s agenda of socio-economic reforms were also progressing.
The minister claimed that after Britain, Pakistan was the second fastest growing economy in the world, adding that the 2025 plan of the government would put the country in the right track of development. He further said that most of the PAT demands were included in the development plan of the government.
Iqbal further stated that the government had proposed a national reforms commission to bring changes in the electoral system. He further said that the government would also use the demands of PAT for reforming the system.
Replying to a query, the minister said that the demand of prime minister’s resignation was non-negotiable from the two sides. He, however, said that other matters should be resolved first in order to keep stakeholders on the table.
Speaking on the occasion, PAT leader Raheeq Abbasi reiterated party’s claim that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was directly responsible for Model Town tragedy.