Have right to protest if govt creates hurdles over Model Town report: Qadri

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri said on Tuesday that God willing, both Sharif brothers will be behind bars soon.

Talking to Geo News after the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the release of the inquiry report into the Model Town incident, which had left several PAT workers dead and scores injured, Qadri said, "to kill innocents is meaningless for [our heartless leaders]". 

He added that the party has the option of protesting in case the government becomes a hurdle in the way of the report's release. 

The PAT chief is presently addressing the media in a press conference. 

He claimed in the press talk that the inquiry report was buried since it highlighted the role of the real perpetrators. 

"After the 2014 dharna, we decided to fight a legal battle," said Qadri. 

In its 101-page order, the bench expressed displeasure at the Punjab government for bringing in disrepute the single-bench which earlier gave the decision. 

The LHC ordered on Tuesday the Punjab government to release in 30 days the inquiry report and also conduct a transparent and impartial trial of the incident. 

Punjab government to challenge LHC order on Model Town report

PML-N leader Zaeem Qadri says the report is incomplete and should thus not be released to the public

Earlier, the provincial government had challenged Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi's September 21 order directing the Punjab home secretary to make public the report and provide a copy to the families of those killed and injured in the 2014 incident.

Justice Baqar Najafi of the LHC had authored an inquiry report into the incident which is yet to see the light of day. 

At least 14 people were killed and 100 others injured in police action against PAT workers during an 'anti-encroachment operation' on June 17, 2014.

LHC orders to make Model Town inquiry report public in 30 days

Bench under Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh reserved decision on the government's appeal on a similar decision on November 24

Talking to Geo News, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Zaeem Qadri said the inquiry report is not final, adding that that is the reason it is not being released to the public.

He said the provincial government will be challenging the report in the Supreme Court.