News Analysis |
In the latest development, Prime Minister Imran Khan reportedly directed Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Usman Buzdar on Sunday during his visit to Lahore, that the appeal of the Khalil (a man who was killed by the CTD along with wife and daughter) family should be heeded and action should be taken accordingly.
It is important to note here that on January 19, four people — including three members of the Khalil family — were killed in an alleged encounter in Sahiwal. Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel said they had killed a local commander of militant organization Daesh and three others in the operation. But the CTD kept on changing its statements which led to confusion and the Prime Minister took the notice and asked the CM Punjab to furnish a report of the matter.
A committee was given the task to propose changes in the police department but after developing some disagreements with the provincial government its chairman Mr. Nasir Durrani, former IGP KP, stepped aside.
Sources confirm that upon the direction of PM Imran, the chief minister will meet the affected families of the Sahiwal tragedy. The CM will listen to the demands of the family and will take a final decision about the formation of a judicial commission.
PM Khan visited Lahore and chaired a high-level cabinet meeting and reviewed the ongoing projects in Punjab. It is worth noting here that the premier had vowed reforms in Punjab police after the Sahiwal incident. In a Twitter post, PM Imran wrote he would not only ensure the guilty are given exemplary punishment but also “review the entire structure of Punjab police and start a process of reforming it.”
Read more: Sahiwal Tragedy: Should the government form a Judicial Commission?
Before leaving for an official visit to Qatar the PM has also said that he would ensure the family of Khalil is served with justice. “I assure the nation that not only will the guilty be given exemplary punishment but I will review the entire structure of Punjab police and start the process of reforming it,” he had tweeted.
CM Punjab has earlier rejected the demand of the victims’ families of forming a judicial commission to look into Sahiwal tragedy. But many analysts and experts keep on demanding that there must be an independent, powerful judicial commission to probe the tragedy since the police officers were a part of the operation and an investigation conducted by the same will have many doubts.
Moreover, it was the main slogan of the PTI that after coming into power it will de-politicize Punjab police. PM Khan had said on more than one occasions that the Punjab police needed utmost attention and comprehensions reforms. A committee was given the task to propose changes in the police department but after developing some disagreements with the provincial government its chairman Mr. Nasir Durrani, former IGP KP, stepped aside.
Read more: CTD kills four in suspicious encounter in Sahiwal
Though Mr. Durrani said he resigned due to some health issues yet many sources confirmed that it was not the case. Observers suggest that the incumbent government should work on reforming Punjab police so that a promised change is visible in the province.