Requested formation of Model Town commission, says Shehbaz

LONDON: Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that he had requested for a commission to be formed to probe Model Town incident.

Commission’s report belongs to the government besides the matter is in the court and should not be discussed, he added.

He remarked that he was not aware of any session in London, adding that the question of attending the session would arise had he known about the session.

Shehbaz, who reached London on Saturday, said that he has come to check up on the health of his sister-in-law, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.

Other family members such as Salman Shehbaz have accompanied Punjab CM on his trip to London.

During the visit, Shehbaz is expected to meet the former prime minister and his brother Nawaz Sharif among other party leaders. Finance Minister Ishaq is also expected to be a part of the meeting.

Speaking about the meeting, Shehbaz said that all relevant issues will be discussed with Nawaz.

Meanwhile, the top party leadership has gathered in London today for a consultative meeting, which will be chaired by Nawaz Sharif and will bring under discussion the country’s political situation and court cases against the Sharif family, among other matters.

On September 21, the LHC ordered the Punjab government to make public the judicial inquiry report into the Model Town killings.

The order was read out by Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi while hearing a petition by the families of those injured in the 2014 clashes with police in Lahore to make the inquiry report public. At least 14 people were killed and 100 others injured in the police action. 

The petitions have been filed by the families of victims killed in Model Town during an ‘anti-encroachment’ operation conducted by police against the PAT headquarters. 

No rift in Sharif family: Shehbaz

Earlier in the day, Shehbaz Sharif has rejected reports of a rift in Sharif family, emphasising his unrelenting support for his brother, the ousted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

While speaking to assembly members on Friday, Shehbaz clarified there is no conflict in the Sharif family.

“Those trying to create misunderstandings, note this: I will always stand with Nawaz Sharif,” he said, stressing that he has always been and will always be sincere with his brother.

He also warned against the spread of such rumours and negative politics.

‘No two opinions about Nawaz’s return’