Six years on, Model Town victims still await justice
It has been six years since the Model town massacre took place in 2014 in Lahore, but justice could not be served to the affectees so far.
The tragedy has put a blemish on the history of Pakistan as state force was openly used against unarmed civilians in this incident. Several cases still lie in wait in different courts to be concluded. On Jun 17, 2014 Model Town had become a battleground between law enforcers and protesters of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) led by the party chief Tahir ul Qadri. It was telecast live by almost all the TV channels.
The PAT had launched a protest against the then ruling government of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N). While the operation against the party was carried out in the name of removal of encroachment outside the house of Tahir ul Qadri.
The exchange of hot words between law enforcers and protesters led to firing which eventually resulted in deaths of 14 protesters including two women, while 90 others were wounded. Around 60 citizens and five policemen were arrested. Later, 116 policemen involved in the incident were suspended in 2018.
Dr Tahir had accused then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif, Shehbaz’s son Hamza Shehbaz, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and other politicians of involvement in the massacre.
So far three joint investigation teams were formed. Two of them even presented their reports, nevertheless culprits could not be brought to justice till yet.
