LAHORE: Protesters gathered outside the Punjab Assembly on Sunday to express solidarity with the families of the victims of the alleged “encounter” by Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) near Sahiwal last month.
Protesters gathered in the provincial capital’s Anarkali and marched towards the Punjab Assembly and staged a protest against the incident. The families of the victims of the incident Khalil and Zeeshan, were also part of the march. In addition, human rights activist Napoleon Qayyum and academic Ammar Ali Jan were also part of the protest.
“Over a hundred people are currently at Anarkali to begin the Shehri Tahaffuz march towards Punjab Assembly to express solidarity with bereaved families of the Sahiwal massacre. The families of Khalil and Zeeshan (victims of the fake encounter) will reach Punjab Assembly directly at 1pm. You all are requested to either join the procession from Anarkali or reach Punjab Assembly by 1pm. Lets show the world that we as a society are no longer willing to stay silent in the face of unbearable injustice,” said human rights activist Ammar Ali Jan.
Four people, including three members of a family, were killed in an alleged encounter in Sahiwal on January 19. CTD personnel had said they had killed a local commander of Islamic State or Daesh and three others in the operation. However, eyewitnesses and three children, whose parents were killed, disputed the claim.
The incident sparked a national outcry and prompted the PM to order an investigation into the killings. Earlier this week, the Lahore High Court (LHC) indicated at forming a judicial commission to probe into the Sahiwal tragedy after the family of the victims had expressed reservations against the JIT.