Manhandling widely slammed President, PM order probe
ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the attack on former federal minister Sher Afgan Khan Niazi.
The president discussed the roughing up of Niazi with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Punjab Governor Lt-Gen (retd) Khalid Maqbool over telephone and expressed grave concern over the incident. The president condemned the incident in the strongest terms and urged the officials concerned to inquire into the matter and submit him a report forthwith so that those behind the incident are brought to book.
Agencies add: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the unfortunate incident. “This sort of misconduct is not acceptable in any civilised society,” he said. The prime minister directed the provincial government to probe into the matter and apprehend the culprits. He asked the authorities concerned to ensure the welfare of Dr Sher Afghan and his family.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman deplored the manhandling of Sher Afgan at the hands of some furious lawyers.
“I am disappointed over this tragic incident that has also hurt the sentiments of the people throughout the country,” she said, adding it was against the norms of a civilised society as well as democracy. The minister termed the unfortunate incident an attempt to derail the democratic process in the country. The lawyers who behaved in such an unruly and uncivilised fashion must also review their behaviour, she said. It is shocking that the security forces stood by and watched while a former law minister was so brutally manhandled, she said. She added that the culprits would be brought to book. She appealed to the masses to exercise maximum restraint and not to loose patience. She said the incident of burning the Mianwali bar was condemnable. She added that all the victims of these incidents would be compensated by the government. PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has also condemned the incident and appealed for calm, Sherry said. Also, Law Minister Farooq H Naik condemned the manhandling and termed it a shameful incident. He demanded an inquiry into the matter and resolved to brought to justice those involved in the incident. The lawyers are the custodians of law, he said, adding that no one would be allowed to take the law in his hand.
Wasim Sajjad has condemned the incident of manhandling of Dr Sher Afgan. JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman condemned the incident and said no one could expect such a shameful act from lawyers. “Everyone has his own point of view. We can differ from each other’s views but it does not mean to act violently,” he said and added that the lawyers had damaged their movement by doing this act.Meanwhile, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Secretary Chaudhry Muhammad Amin Javed strongly condemned the manhandling and termed it a conspiracy against the lawyers’ movement.
The SCBA secretary clarified that SCBA President Aitzaz Ahsan had not quit his office yet and senior lawyer leaders would convince him to reverse his decision.
Pakistan Bar Council Vice-Chairman Ali Ahmed Kurd strongly condemned the attack on Sher Afgan Niazi. Kurd said Sher Afgan was a respectable and seasoned politician and the lawyers’ community honoured him. He expressed his deep concern over the manhandling and termed it a conspiracy against the lawyers’ movement. “Those who were involved in the attack on Sher Afgan are no more a part of the lawyers’ community,” he said, adding that he extended his cooperation.
Supreme Court Bar Association former president Chaudhry Muhammad Akram strongly condemned the torturing of Sher Afghan. He demanded of the government to hold a judicial inquiry into the incident. Akram said the incident would not only harm the lawyers’ movement but also became a source of defaming the lawyers at the international level.
Source: The News
Date:4/9/2008
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