Govt challenges FIR against PM, others over PAT workers’ killing

AG told SC that during protest on August 30, one protester died a natural death while two others were killed in accidents

The government on Tuesday challenged the order for registration of a First Information Report (FIR) filed against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and members of his cabinet in the Supreme Court over the alleged killing of three Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)’s workers on August 30.

The miscellaneous petition was submitted in the court by Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt who contended that maintaining law and order in the country was the responsibility of the administration.

The petitioner said PAT and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters attacked the Parliament, Pakistan Television (PTV) Headquarters and the PM House as a result of which law enforcement personnel had to adopt legal measures to ensure provision of security in the area.

Butt said the government had only been doing its duty therefore the FIR against the prime minister, certain federal ministers and police officials by a district and session court on the request of PAT was illegitimate. He said the police did not use any arms and ammunition against the protesters while attempting to secure the area.

The AG also told the court that out of the three people, who died during the protest on August 30, one died a natural death while two others were killed in accidents.

He said the first FIR of the incident was registered on August 31 after which an investigation was launched but later another FIR was lodged which had no factual basis.

The petitioner stressed that the government displayed maximum restraint during the protests and requested that the FIR should be cancelled.