Sahiwal case: PM directs Punjab government to file plea against ATC verdict

Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday directed the government of Punjab to file an appeal against Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) verdict with respect to acquittal of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel who were accused of killing four people, including a woman and a minor, in Sahiwal.

The ATC on Oct 24 acquitted all six personnel of the charge of killing four persons, including a woman and her daughter, in an alleged encounter earlier this year. Muhammad Khalil, his wife Nabeela and their four children were traveling in a car with their neighbour Zeeshan when the CTD personnel intercepted the vehicle and opened fire at them. Later, the CTD officials claimed they had intelligence-based information that Zeeshan had links with a terrorist outfit.

Three minor children of deceased Khalil including Muhammad Umair, Jazba and Muneeba survived the attack with minor injuries.

The suspects including Safdar Hussain, Ahsan Khan, Muhammad Ramzan, Saifullah, Hasnain Akbar and Nasir Nawaz were indicted by the trial court. According to a letter, the Interior Ministry has directed chief secretary and Punjab IGP to file appeal against the acquittal of police personnel indicted in the Sahiwal killing case. It said the prime minister has expressed serious concern over the acquittal of all six police personnel. The trial court has noted in its judgment that the prosecution has failed to prove the case against the accused, as none of the witness testified the occurrence of the incident. This sets a deplorable and shocking precedent where state machinery is colluding to hinder dispensation of justice to the victims, the letter further said. The prime minister has directed to file an appeal against the verdict to bring the culprits to justice by holding the prosecution department responsible to establish their case through genuine witnesses and appoint a high-powered committee to probe and identify the flaws in the investigation and prosecution. The prime minister also issued directives that high-powered committee should be constituted to identify perpetrators of omission and commissions within different organs of the state whose action/inactions benefited the suspects. Specific recommendations should be submitted to rectify such flaws in the system and to dispense justice to the victims of the tragedy. A compliance report may be submitted with the Ministry of Interior and Prime Minister Office within three days, it added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019