The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday sought report from the government by February 07 on resolving the Sahiwal killing incident and observed that the court has no power to form a judicial commission. The Chief Justice LHC to investigate incidents like Sahiwal killings as the same now vested with the federal government. The court hearing petitions seeking judicial commission on Sahiwal incident observed that to investigate incidents like Sahiwal killings now vested with the federal government.
The Chief Justice however ordered that testimony of the family members of the deceased be recorded. CJ further observed that it was the responsibility of federal government to resolve the Sahiwal killings case. When the petitioners' counsel, Barrister Ehtesham, referred to the Model Town judicial commission, the Chief Justice said, "There was no such provision now as the law had since been changed."
Earlier, the chief justice snubbed JIT head DIG Aijaz Shah for failing to present the investigation report in the court. CJ censured the investigation team for its failure to follow court orders and observed that "the Sahiwal killing probe was a case of particular significance".
Later the joint investigation team's initial report was presented to Chief Justice. The law officer however informed the court that the JIT had collected all the evidence in the case and recorded all the statements. "Tell the court what evidence has been collected so far," the chief justice asked and directed law officer to prepare a list of all evidences and provide the same to the court in writing.
"Who sends the counter-terrorism department to conduct an operation?" the LHC chief justice asked and also inquired about the arrest of the officer who gave the orders for Sahiwal operation and the other suspects involved in the case. The petitioner's lawyer said "out of 16 people involved in the case, only five have been arrested."
The head of the JIT informed the court that the officer who had given the orders for the operation was suspended. "If someone tries to change the record, you will all be in jail," warned the chief justice. The Chief Justice also showed displeasure over non-appearance of inspector general police and remarked that whether court's previous order had been circulated and enforced.
To which, law officer told the court that directions had been issued to all DPOs to avert occurrence of Sahiwal like incident in future. Four people, including three members of a family, were killed in an alleged encounter in Sahiwal on January 19. Although Punjab government has ruled out the possibility of formation of judicial commission however the families of the victims have been continuously demanding the formation of a judicial commission.