Nishtar Park Tragedy: state witness ordered to produce films of closed circuit cameras, video

Justice Rahmat Hussain Jafferi heading Nishtar Park Inquiry Tribunal on Monday ordered first formal State Witness (SW) SSP Security Dr Muhammad Amin Yousuf Zai to produce the recording by closed circuit cameras installed on the routes of different processions and video recording of the entire programme of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) celebrations.
The Tribunal commenced formal proceedings from Monday, which would continue on day to day basis. Additional Advocate General Sindh Sarwar Khan assisting the tribunal on behalf of Sindh government examined the first state witness SSP Yousuf Zai and stated the permission was granted to Shah Turab-ul-Haq Qadri on a written application for holding public meeting at Nishtar Park and for processions from 19 towns of Karachi. He said that following the request, Sindh Police department made elaborate security and other arrangements.
He told the tribunal that an additional force of 2000 personnel including gazetted officers was deployed besides regular police force available at the Police Stations. He denied a suggestion of any alarming situation at any point of time on Eid-e-Milad or day before.
To a question by the tribunal, SSP Yousuf Zai said that according to Police Order 2002, he had the powers to grant permission for the holding of public meeting at Nishtar Park.
To another question about personal verification of implementation of contingency plan and other security measures under taken by the Town Police Officers (TPOs), he first parried the questions but later said that he was monitoring the situation from police control.
The tribunal expressed annoyance when he expressed ignorance about the recording and monitoring the routes of processions and video filming of the entire programme as envisaged under the security plan and contingency plan made by the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) in co-ordination with DIG Special Branch, DIG Operations and TPOs.
When the SW expressed ignorance about the deployment of Bomb Disposal Squads and other important security issues, the tribunal said What is in your knowledge? About every main query you express ignorance.