ISLAMABAD: Minister for Railways and key member of government negotiating team, Khawaja Saad Rafique said that the government is ready to register an FIR in the Model Town tragedy as ordered by the Lahore High Court, Geo News reported on Thursday.
While talking to the media persons outside the Parliament House after the assembly session, the minister along with other cabinet members, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Zahid Hamid, said the party has decided to forfeit their right to challenge the court order of filing FIR against the 21 accused.
The Minhaj-ul-Quran has accused 21 persons including the prime minister, chief minister Punjab and federal and provincial ministers for their involvement in the Model Town incident.
However, the ministers appealed to the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to have mercy on the poor marchers they have brought with them. They earnestly requested the two leaders to show maturity and do not take any step that could harm the state.
The country has become a laughing stock since they invaded the capital in quest to topple the elected government, he said.
At the occasion, Khawaja Asif said that both the leaders are playing politics over the dead bodies and want clashes with the government. He said that government’s tolerance and endurance shouldn’t be mistaken for its weakness. He said that they are political leaders and don’t believe in invasion.
The defence minister further stated that the rulers have learnt from their past mistakes and will not let any bloodshed to happen. Moreover, he said that any demands contrary to law and constitution will not be accepted.
It may be mentioned that on June 17, fourteen persons including women were killed and dozens injured when clashes between PAT and police took place at the Minhajul Quran Secretariat in Model Town in order to remove the barricades.
A local court in Lahore had ordered to register a case against 21 persons including PM Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, eight federal and provincial ministers and senior police officials.