LAHORE – Despite opposition from Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal on Thursday announced to constitute a committee to probe the killing of Hadyara SHO Inspector Muhammad Arshad.
During debate on a Call Attention Notice of Malik Ghulam Habib Awan at the PA floor, the Speaker said a house committee would be constituted after consultation with the law minister and the opposition leader.
Asserting that the police was telling a false story and harassing the locals, Malik Habib Awan demanded judicial inquiry to bring to light the real picture. He alleged that the SHO Muhammad Arshad went to village Ghond in his private car to help opponents of Asghar Mehar in getting possession of a piece of disputed land. Even after presentation of a stay order, he alleged, the SHO ordered the policemen to torture the occupants. He said one woman fell unconscious after the torture that caused restlessness among the policemen and Assad Ullah group. He said the fleeing policemen crushed own SHO under the official vehicle. He said the administration cut the electricity supply to the village and harassing the locals. He said dozens of innocent people arrested so far.
Raja Riaz Ahmed said there was need of carrying out judicial inquiry of the incident as the people had no confidence on police probe. Rana Sanaullah said the SHO went to the spot on official vehicle on a call on Emergency 15. He said the locals attacked the police party that led to serious head injuries to Hadyara SHO. He said Sub Inspector Muhammad Ayoub and other policemen took the injured SHO to nearby hospital where he succumbed to injuries. He said the autopsy report revealed that head injury caused the death. He said the police high-ups were probing the incident and there was no need of any judicial inquiry. He also opposed the constitution of a House Committee to probe the incident.
After listening to both the sides, the Speaker said a committee would be constituted after consultation with Rana Sanaullah and Raja Riaz.
Replying to another Call Attention Notice of Sh Allauddin regarding killing of a rickshaw driver Muhammad Saleem of Sara-e-Mughal, District Kasur on offering resistance during decoity, Rana Sanaullah said the police investigations revealed contacts between the killer and the deceased. He said apparently it was a planned murder and police would present challan within one week.