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JIT holds CTD responsible for ‘innocent’ family’s killing in Sahiwal ‘operation’

JIT holds CTD responsible for ‘innocent’ family’s killing in Sahiwal ‘operation’

Posted on 23 January 2019 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 5,030

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to remove the top counterterrorism police officials after a joint investigation team (JIT) blamed them in its preliminary report for the killing of an innocent family in a shady operation at Sahiwal earlier this week.

The JIT was constituted on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan to investigate the killing of a man, named Khalil, his wife Nabeela, daughter Areeba and friend Zeeshan Javed by CTD officials on GT Road in Sahiwal on Saturday.

Khalil’s son Mohammad Umair and two daughters Muniba and Jaziba were also wounded in the “operation” which the CTD claimed was conducted on the basis of intelligence against “terrorists”.
The “operation” set off nationwide outrage after video footage, eyewitnesses and Khalil’s surviving children debunked the CTD narrative.

The JIT, which had representation from the police and civil and military intelligence agencies, submitted its report at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Tuesday.

Attendees at the meeting included provincial Local Government and Community Development Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Punjab Law Minister Basharat Raja as well as the chief secretary, additional chief secretary for interior, and inspector general of police.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Law Minister Basharat Raja said that the JIT, on the basis of its preliminary findings, has blamed the CTD officials for the killing of the family in Sahiwal.

“In view of the JIT report, the government has decided to remove the AIG and DIG CTD from their posts,” he told the media. “The SSP and DSP CTD Sahiwal region have been suspended,” he added.

“The AIG (Operations) has also been removed from his post and directed to report to the federal government,” the minister further said, adding that disciplinary action would also be taken against these officials.

“Five CTD officials involved in the killing have been booked under Section 302 (of Pakistan Penal Code) and they would be tried in an antiterrorism court,” Raja said.

He said the JIT head has sought time for further investigation against Zeeshan Javed who was also killed in the “operation” suggesting that he was linked with terrorists in some way.

The minister promised to give an in-camera briefing to the media on Wednesday to give details that had led to the “operation” which he defended as “based on 100 per cent correct intelligence information”.

He said the media has access to information, so it should at least investigate and find out who had owned the car in which the family was travelling. “At tomorrow’s briefing, you would get answers to this and all other questions you have,” he added.

The minister praised the military and other law enforcement agencies for peace in the country. He credited the CTD with successful fight against terrorists in the province.

Raja claimed that the government has fulfilled its commitment to the people of Punjab by fixing responsibility for the Sahiwal tragedy. “Never before in the history of this province action has been taken in such a case within 72 hours,” he added.

He said the government would do whatever it could to ensure rule of law and establish the state’s writ in the province.

He ruled out a judicial inquiry into the incident as was demanded by the opposition, saying that the JIT has already fixed responsibility and the government has taken action against those responsible.

According to sources, forensic samples, including the bullet shells, collected from the crime scene have been sent to the Punjab forensic science agency. Shells of as many as 42 sub-machineguns (SMGs) bullets fired by CTD officials have been sent for forensic analysis.

However, the SMGs used by the CTD officials have not been handed over for forensic analysis, while bullet shells from a 9mm pistol were sent for examination.

Forensic inspection of the Suzuki Alto car in which the family had been killed has not been completed thus far because either forensic experts would have to travel to Sahiwal or the car would be brought to the lab for this purpose.

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Shahzeb murder case: SHC suggests investigation, prosecution be handed over to army

Shahzeb murder case: SHC suggests investigation, prosecution be handed over to army

Posted on 22 January 2019 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 4,625

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the counsels on Monday to continue arguments on January 28 on the appeals filed against the conviction of Shahrukh Jatoi in the Shahzeb Khan murder case. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Nazar Akbar heard the appeals in which the additional prosecutor-general maintained that, according to the medical report, convict Shahrukh Jatoi was over 18 years of age at the time of the offence. The counsel for convict had presented two types of documents; the college and NADRA records, but both were contradictory. Therefore, the medical board report was the prime document in this case to determine Jatoi’s age. He pleaded that the convicts’ appeals should be dismissed.

Advocate Mehmood Alam Rizvi maintained that his client had pardoned the convict, hence there will be no objections if the appal was accepted. The court inquired whether the family of the victim took compensation, to which Rizvi replied that on record they had forgiven in God’s name but he had no clue if any amount was taken off the record.

Justice Akbar questioned where was the father of his client, to which Advocate Rizvi replied that he had died a few months ago. On this, the court asked Advocate Rizvi how he could hold the brief of a client who had died. Advocate Rizvi said that his widow could not be contacted, however, a power of attorney would be submitted on her behalf very soon. The court remarked that it was due to the negligence of the investigation officers that the accused mange to find safe passage while people blamed the court. Justice Akbar remarked that the investigation and prosecution should be handed over to the army. “The army should handle the prosecution system in such conditions.”

In conversation with the petitioner’s counsel Advocate Latif Khosa, Justice Akbar asked him to inform the parliament about the flaws in prosecution and incompetency of the investigation officers. Advocate Khosa maintained that the incident had wrongly been presented as terrorism. He also asked the names of the six witnesses who gave statements. “Three witnesses did not give any statements before the court. The compromise of the parties was rejected due to terrorism clauses,” he said.

The court, directing to continue the arguments, adjourned the hearing till January 28. Jatoi, including two convicts, have been awarded death sentences while life imprisonment has been awarded to two other suspects.
Bone marrow transplant

The SHC issued a show-cause notice on Monday to the health additional secretary in the contempt of court plea against the non-issuance of funds for a bone marrow transplant of 16-year-old Obaid Raza.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, heard the plea in which the court expressed discontentment on the absence of the health additional secretary and directed him to submit a reply by January 28.

The court inquired that why, despite assurances in court, the funds were not released. The provincial government had assured the release of funds for Raza’s treatment. After the assurance from Sindh government, the court had wrapped up the case and had directed the defendants to release funds but despite the orders, the government hasn’t yet released the funds.

The petition filed by Amjad Ali, brother of Raza, said, “My 16-year-old brother is suffering from a dangerous illness. The Sindh government on November 22 had granted approval of Rs4.4 million for the treatment. The amount has not been released despite the approval from the health additional chief secretary.” Ali requested the court to order the immediate release of funds for treatment.
Sindh govt reply sought

The same bench, while hearing a case regarding the lack of paramedical staff and doctors in government hospitals, has directed the Sindh government to submit a report about all the vacant positions till February 4.

The plaintiff’s lawyer said that the Sindh government has not submitted its reply regarding hospitals in Karachi, Thar district, Sukkur and Badin and regarding lack of doctors in Thatta, Larkana, and 11 other districts. The court, directing the Sindh government to submit replies, adjourned the hearing.

The plaintiff Advocate Shahab Astoo said in the petition that there is a lack of doctors that include cardiologists, gynaecologists, child specialists and others. In Sindh, countless doctors and paramedical staff positions are lying vacant. The positions of gynaecologist, pathologist, surgeon, child specialist including other important positions are also vacant since three years. Currently in government hospitals across the province, 2,100 important positions are lying vacant.
May 12 incident

Iqbal Kazmi has filed a petition in the SHC against setting aside the May 12 incident case in which the Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar was charged. The petition filed said that the Karachi mayor was booked in a case at City Court police station. Kazmi maintained that Akhtar had wrapped up the case through his power and influence. Hence, the case should be reopened and directives be issued to initiate proceedings against Akhtar.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2019.

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Army, PAF teams rescue stranded tourists in Nathia Gali

Army, PAF teams rescue stranded tourists in Nathia Gali

Posted on 22 January 2019 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 4,189

Rescue teams from the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force, along with members of the civil administration, rescued tourists trapped in Nathia Gali’s Tauheedabad area after heavy snowfall blocked access routes.

An operation was conducted in the wee hours of Monday night and all the stranded tourists were rescued and the tourists were shifted to safe places in Murree and Kalabagh, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

A rescue team each of Pakistan Army and PAF, carrying food and medicines, was sent to the area in order to help the civil administration in carrying out the rescue operation.

The teams that participated in the operation included Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Quick Response Force (QRF) and Rescue 1122, added the military’s media wing.

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KCR track: Illegal occupants given 48 hours to vacate

KCR track: Illegal occupants given 48 hours to vacate

Posted on 18 December 2018 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 3,345

KARACHI: On the eighth day of the ongoing anti-encroachment operation on Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) following the apex court’s orders, encroachments on a five-kilometre railway line stretch were removed.

During the operation, illegal encroachments were removed from District Central’s railway line in Mujahid Colony while the residents of slums who had illegally constructed houses were issued notices for eviction within 48 hours. Additional Deputy Commissioner Waseemuddin, Assistant Commissioner Gulberg Malik Ikram, local police and Railways’ officials were present. Waseemuddin said that the encroachments on the five km long portion of KCR track were removed.

He added that after the removal of the encroachments, the area will be handed over to the Railways’ authorities to install their pickets so no illegal occupation takes place again. He said that the Railways land should be vacated and it was a positive step.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2018.

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Pakistanis should stop looking at others to solve their problems: Dr AQ Khan

Pakistanis should stop looking at others to solve their problems: Dr AQ Khan

Posted on 18 December 2018 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 3,147

KARACHI: Pakistanis should stop looking to others at solve their problems and must become self-reliant in every way. Though there is great talent and resources available in the country, sadly the prevalent system does not reward merit and fears accountability.

These views were expressed by noted nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan at the concluding ceremony of a four-day workshop on tools and techniques in Biotechnology at the Dr AQ Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE) at University of Karachi (KU).

Dr Khan said that young scholars, students and professionals must master advanced tools and techniques and share their knowledge with others so that they can also benefit from their skills and expertise. He added that the culture of research should be promoted and used to serve people rather be limited to simply publications of articles.
He advised the participants to work hard and gain excellence in equipment handling as it would play a major role in their success in the field. “Proper use of instruments plays a major role in producing the best results. Along with theory, hands-on training and eagerness to learn will help you all in achieving your dreams.”

Dr Khan said that during his tenure at the Khan Research Laboratory, he learned how to operate different types of equipment and advised others to do the same.

“The KIBGE was initiated around 18 years ago and now it is recognised as a renowned institute around the world. All the trainees and students should apply what they have learned during this workshop and enhance their abilities to serve the country even better,” said Dr Khan.

He regretted that people with higher professional degrees were jobless and unfortunately there were no plans to make use of their skills and abilities, though it was vital for a prosperous Pakistan.

Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan said that after a struggle of 13 years, he was able to get Thalassemia Act approved from the National Assembly. “I personally drafted the Bill in 2004 and sent it to the House in 2005, but the assembly members were not interested in even looking at it. When I become senator in 2009, I started a campaign again to get it passed, but the goal was achieved much later.”

He said that it was disappointing to see that economics, education and health sectors were not performing well in the country for the past many years and added that there was no culture of research and development in Pakistan.

He said that industrialists and corporate sectors pay Rs7,000 billion to the government but never see corresponding investment in economics, education and health-related projects.

Prof Dr Anwar Ali Siddiqui of KIBGE said that the research should aim to improve society, rather than simply gain funding from the Higher Education Commission or other donors. He said, “The donor agencies are forcing scholars to focus on the impact factor due to which the standard of research has been compromised. Pakistani journals are increasing, but the impact of research on society is hardly visible.”

One of the trainees from Bolan Medical College in Quetta, Dr Saima Erum, said that a large group of people in Balochistan were suffering from Thalassemia, but unfortunately there wasn’t sufficient information or medical facilities to curb the disease. “I came here to attend this workshop so that I could be able to serve Thalassemia patients better. Thalassemia-free Balochistan is my dream and I will chase it my whole life,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2018.

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