Affectees of Kasur incident call on CM Punjab

Lahore: Affected children of Kasur incident, their parents and residents of Hussain Khanwala village met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today. During the meeting, the affectees announced to end their boycott of the investigation of Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and extend their full cooperation in the inquiry.

Talking to the affectees, the Chief Minister announced to immediately withdraw the cases registered against the protestors and directed IG Police to take necessary legal action in this regard. Shahbaz Sharif said that the Kasur incident is lamentable and painful. He said that justice will be provided to the victims at any cost. He said that no hurdle will be tolerated in the provision of justice and stern action will be taken against anyone trying to hinder this process.

The Chief Minister promised to the affectees that provision of justice to them is his responsibility which he will discharge at any cost. He said that he was deeply grieved over this sad incident and as soon as he got information, he wanted to come to them but could not do so due to some reasons but he has been personally monitoring this issue.

He said that Additional IG Special Branch has been transferred from his post for his ignorance about the matter while DPO Kasur has been transferred as OSD due to mishandling the case. The Chief Minister said that JIT has been constituted to hold an inquiry into the matter and besides police, it also comprises representatives of Federal Intelligence Bureau and ISI. He said that the inquiry team has been directed to stay in Kasur and hold complete investigation. He said that the facts will be made public and justice will be ensured. He said that he has deep sympathies with the affectees and will fulfill his promise of upholding justice.

He said that stern action will also be taken against the elements showing negligence towards this tragic incident or hiding the facts. He said that action will be taken against the guilty persons irrespective of their influence. He said that if the case has not been mishandled or negligence not been shown the situation would not have reached this point. He said that provision of justice to the victims is his responsibility which he will fulfill at any cost. He said that the guilty persons will not be able to escape justice.

The Chief Minister further said that as soon as the matter came to his notice, he sent a committee and now he is personally monitoring this case. He said that JIT will stay in Kasur till the completion of the investigation process. The Chief Minister further said that he fully sympathies with the affectees and justice will soon be ensured. He said that in order to uphold justice, the cases registered against the affectees during protest are being immediately withdrawn and instructions have been issued to IG Police in this regard.

He said that no one will be allowed to influence the case and the perpetrators will be taken to task while full protection will be provided to the affectees. He said that arrangements for the education of children will also be made and if necessary, they will be provided education facility in Lahore. The lawyer of the affectees Latif Sra and the affectees announced to end their boycott of the inquiry team and said that they will participate in the investigation of JIT.

The parents of the affected children informed the Chief Minister about the details of the tragic incident and demanded justice. Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sana Ullah, Members National and Provincial Assembly from Kasur, Sh. Wasim Akhtar, Malik Rasheed, Ahmad Khan, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Malik Ahmad Saeed Khan, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home, Commissioner Lahore Division, RPO Sheikhupura, DPO Kasur, DCO Kasur and concerned authorities attended the meeting. Lawyer of affectees Advocate Latif Sra, plaintiff Mubeen Ghaznavi and other affectees were also present on the occasion.