Twitter
Advertisement

SC whip police for crackdown during anti-Mush protests

Taking a stern view of the weekend's violent police crackdown during protests against President Musharraf, Pak's CJ Iftikhar M Chaudhry ordered suspension and arrest of top police and administration officials.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

ISLAMABAD: Taking a stern view of the weekend's violent police crackdown during protests against President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry on Monday ordered suspension and arrest of top police and administration officials.
   
Chaudhry, who took suo motu cognisance of Saturday's police action that left dozens of lawyers and mediapersons injured, directed immediate action against those responsible for the incidents.

"This is a very serious matter...the civil administration is not doing any service to the people," said Chaudhry, who became a rallying point for anti-Musharraf forces after he was suspended by the General in March. He was reinstated by the apex court in July following mass protests spearheaded by lawyers.

When Interior Secretary Kamal Shah, who was summoned by the Chief Justice, told the special hearing on the violence that a high-powered committee has been constituted to probe the incidents, Chaudhry said Islamabad Inspector General Marwah Shah "should be suspended and arrested as he is responsible for whatever happened".

Chaudhry, who was told that over 80 people were wounded after police used batons and tear gas to disperse the protesters opposing Musharraf's re-election bid, said other top police and administration officials should also be suspended. He also watched the TV footage of the incidents which the private channels were asked to furnish to the court.
   
The clashes had erupted outside the Election Commission as the body approved Musharraf's candidature for the October six Presidential election where he is seeking another five-year term.

Journalists in Pakistan on Sunday had observed 'Black Day' to protest the police 'brutality'. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists decried the government actions as 'shameful'.
   
"What happened yesterday was shameful. It was the darkest day in Pakistan's history," Mushtaq Minhas, president of the press club here, said.

The incidents prompted the Supreme Court to issue notices to several top officials including the interior secretary, Punjab Additional Advocate General and IG police to appear before it "in connection with police violence against lawyers, the media and representatives of human rights (HR) and civil society organisations,".

The court also asked the officials to produce the security plan for the capital on September 29 and a copy of the FIRs registered against lawyers and journalists on Saturday and Sunday.

The court had also directed the Ministry of Information to inform, through an advertisement that lawyers, journalists and others who had been involved in the incidents, to appear before the court and record their statements on affidavits.

Journalists covering the protest were beaten and eight were admitted to hospitals.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement