Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday said Punjab IGP Faisal Shahkar had failed to satisfy both: the provincial government and the people.
Qureshi made the comments while speaking to journalists at a press conference. Shahkar, he said, had failed to effectively discharge his duties in accordance with the law. While welcoming the SC directive on the registration of an FIR on the Wazirabad assassination attempt at PTI chairman Imran Khan, Qureshi said it remained to be seen whether the document was merely lodged or registered in accordance with the express narrative of the aggrieved. He cited a provision of the PPC on this account.
He demanded Shahkar present an explanation as to how an FIR of the Wazirabad attack had not been lodged given that he was leading a force. “Had the pertinent DPO and SHO not implemented the Punjab IGs orders,” Qureshi questioned. “Did the two constitute a hurdle, he asked. If yes, why does Shahkar not present a clarification?” If not them was somebody else obstructing the registration of an FIR, he queried further.
Qureshi said Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi was not to be blamed for the delay. He said Elahi had time and again spoken how he had been standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Khan and would implement his directives. Qureshi said the party well-understood how some elements wanted to drive a wedge between the chief minister and the PTI chief. We will not fall for this, he said.
The former foreign minister said the PTI will kick-off its long march to Islamabad tomorrow (Tuesday) exactly from where it had been halted after the assassination attempt at Khan. He likened contemporary developments to Imam Hussain (RA) battle against Umayyad ruler Yazid.
IGP Shahkar had earlier stepped aside from the top police post citing rampant political interference. Qureshi’s Sunday diatribe at the police chief as “hateful and unacceptable”. The Supreme Court, separately, on Monday directed Shahkar to register an FIR of the Wazirbad incident in 24 hours. Else, the top court said, it would be compelled to take a suo motu notice. Shahkar, on the other hand, told the top court that CM Elahi had some reservations over the matter and a complaint had to be filed by the heirs of the deceased.
PTI chairman Imran Khan was injured in a Thursday firing incident in Wazirabad. Gunshots were reported in the vicinity of the PTI chairman’s container earlier. It later emerged that he had been injured. The PTI supremo sustained a bullet in the leg. The PTI chairman has been taken to a Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore. His condition is said to be stable.
So the delay is that a complaint had to be filed by the heirs of the deceased against Imran’s body guards (or unknown person) and CM wants to make sure the matter is settled beforehand with his family.