7 killed 80 Injured in clashes between PAT workers and police
Tuesday, June 17th, 2014 8:34:41 by Maleeha Tareen
Violent clashes between Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s workers and Lahore police ended with deaths of at least 7 people including youth and women and 80 with injuries out side the residence of the Dr. Tahir ul Qadri in Lahore. Police along with the heavy machinery was in the area to remove the barriers near the Qari’s residence. Qadri has condemned the deaths and blamed the chief minister Shahbaz Sharif for the killings. Shahbaz Sharif has offered his resignation if he is held responsible by an independent judicial commission.
Abdul Jabbar, a senior police officer, told reporters that the office of Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in the city’s Model Town suburb on Monday night to remove barriers, however, PAT workers resisted the operation .
“We went to the area again during the morning with additional force. The PAT activists pelted stones on policemen and our force used tear gas to disperse them”, said Jabbar. “We managed to complete the operation and remove the barriers despite the resistance.”
Dr. Abdul Rauf, Medical Superintendent at the city’s Jinnah Hospital confirmed receiving the dead bodies of seven people including two women and 80 injured. He further added that condition of two injured is critical.
PAT workers claim that at least 12 people died as a result of police firing on the PAT workers.
Dr. Tahir ul Qari has said on twitter, “If they came to remove the barriers, why are they killing people and attacking people? Their purpose was only bloodshed and killings.”
Dr. Qadri also said, “The government, gripped by fear of my arrival, is harassing PAT workers.”
Earlier, several area residents had overnight protested outside Qadri’s house in the presence of a large contingent of police personnel. The residents had been demanding the immediate removal of the barrier outside Qadri’s house in Model Town.
Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, has ordered to form a judicial commission to probe the incident. He said that whoever is found guilty will be prosecuted. He also offered condolences to Dr. Qadri on deaths of his party workers.
Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, has called for the resignation of the Punjab chief minister while addressing press conference in Islamabad.
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=45386
Posted by Maleeha Tareen
on Jun 17 2014. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan.
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