The Lahore High Court on Friday reserved its verdict on an appeal against a single bench's order directing the Punjab government to public the inquiry report of Model Town killings incident. The counsel of the Punjab government Khawaja Haris submitted his rejoinder and said that there was apprehension that release of the Model Town inquiry report might create law and order situation.
The bench at this observed that transparent trial was the right of every citizen and added "How the fair trial is is possible without issuance of the inquiry report". At this, Khawaja Haris said, Article 4 of the Constitution is quite clear about the fair trial while law and order should not be at stake for fair trial. He argued that after getting inquiry done, it is prerogative of the government if it wants to keep it secret.
Haris also dispelled the impression that the government committed contempt of court by holding inquiry. He argued that access to the information was conditional with terms and conditions under Article 19 A of the Constitution. Khawaja Haris apprehended that judicial inquiry report would prejudice the trial on private complaint of the respondent.
The victims' lawyers and the lawyers of Pakistan Awami Tehreek previously emphasized on the point that inquiry report should be released so that people know who were responsible of the killings. They said that the single bench of Justice Naqvi had ordered publication of the report and termed it judicial proceedings. They said under Article 19-A of the constitution the citizens have right to know the facts. Being public document, it should be released, they pleaded.
On September 21, a single bench comprising Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi had directed Home department Punjab to issue Model Town inquiry report to the affectees. At least 14 people were died and 85 others got injured when clash erupted between Police and Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers outside Minhaj-ul-Quran Secretariat in June 2014.
Comments
Comments are closed.