LAHORE: Former law minister Rana Sanaullah on Monday denied that he ordered shooting at Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers. However, he told the single-judge Model Town inquiry tribunal that he had allowed removal of barricades erected outside the Minhajul Quran Secretariat.

Submitting his reply along with affidavit to the tribunal, Mr Sanaullah said the commissioner at a meeting on June 16 had informed him about the barriers on roads around the Minhaj secretariat. He said the meeting decided to remove barriers in order to end inconvenience being faced by locals.

He said he came to know about the clash between personnel and the PAT activists through television news at 9am. “Dr Tauqir Shah, then principal secretary to CM, also phoned me and discussed the happening,” he said.

Mr Sanaullah said he had immediately asked the Lahore capital city police officer to control the situation. The CCPO had already sent police force to assist the district government officials in the anti-encroachment operation, he said and categorically rebuffed the allegation of ordering use of bullets against the activists.

Tauqir says CM was concerned at clean-up drive sans his approval

Dr Shah in his affidavit submitted that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had asked him about the clashes in a telephonic conversation during the June 17 morning. He said Mr Sharif expressed his concern about carrying out the anti-encroachment operation without taking him into confidence.

Dr Shah told the tribunal that he conveyed the concern of the chief minister to secretary of the then law minister and home secretary. However, at around 11:30am he came to know about firing on the scene, he added.

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi placed statements of the both on record and observed that they might be re-summoned to answer questions.

The Punjab home secretary and the Lahore commissioner also submitted their reports.

Former CCPO Shafiq Ahmad sought tribunal’s permission to present his report in-camera claiming that the matter was a sensitive one. The tribunal allowed his request.

During the course of hearing, Advocate Aftab Bajwa insisted that his application on the functioning of the tribunal be taken up and decided. Justice Najafi said the application would be taken up and decided on next hearing. He also directed the CCPO to ensure appearance of the injured for the purpose of recording statements and submit the report on July 3. The proceedings were adjourned for July 1 (today).

Earlier, excited workers of PML-N created a mess on the court premises when Rana Sanaullah and Dr Tauqir Shah arrived there. The workers damaged flowerpots outside the courtroom of the chief justice.

Published in Dawn, July 1st , 2014