PTI parliamentarians want resignation of Shahbaz

FAISALABAD: Parliamentarians of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have demanded resignation of the Punjab chief minister, and formation of a new joint investigation team to probe the killing of Haq Nawaz and its trial in a military court. The demand was made by Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Mehmoodur Rasheed at a press conference held outside the SSP (Investigation) office here on Friday. About a dozen PTI parliamentarians of different areas of Punjab were also present. The PTI parliamentarians and some of the activists first demonstrated at the District Council Chowk and then staged a sit-in outside the office of the SSP (Investigation) who was the head of a five-member JIT that probed the killing of Haq Nawaz. On Dec 8 last, Nawaz was gunned down during a protest demonstration at the Novelty bridge. The Samanabad police had booked State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali, DCO Noorul Ameen Mengal, former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah, his son-in-law Shehryar, MPA Tahir Jameel and over 300 others in the murder case. Talking to reporters, Mr Rasheed said the PTI did not accept the JIT which had deleted section 109 of the PPC to favour the accused people. He said complainant Atta Khan, brother of deceased Nawaz, had also not accepted the JIT. He demanded the formation of a new JIT with officials of the ISI and IB as its members. Mr Rasheed held Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif responsible for the Model Town incident and demanded his resignation. He said the judge had also held the CM responsible for the incident. The opposition leader said the government was not making the report public. Chaudhry Ijaz said the PTI would continue its protest until they got the justice. Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015