No evidence found from Model Town, says JIT

LAHORE: The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to probe the Model Town incident declared on Tuesday that no substantial evidence was available to them from the site of the conflict in the Minhaj ul Quran secretariat. The JIT inspected the areas surrounding the Minhaj ul Quran secretariat and Dr Tahirul Qadri’s residence and constituted a report on the basis of their findings. According to initial reports, there were no traces of bullets or any other substantial evidence. Sources in the JIT said that the Minhajul Quran secretariat did not allow them to conduct investigations. However, a Minhajul Quran spokesperson said that they did allow the investigation team to scrutinise the area and collect evidence but claimed that they are not ready to cooperate with them in the matter. Last month, an anti-encroachment drive was conducted on June 17 by a contingent of police personnel in order to remove the barrier outside Pakistan Awami Tehreek's (PAT) Chief Tahirul Qadri's Lahore residence. Qadri's supporters were baton-charged and fired at by police when they protested the move and in turn hurled rocks at the security officials. A violent clash erupted between police personnel and PAT supporters that killed at least seven people including women. A number of vehicles were also damaged during the skirmish.