Inspector General Police Punjab Abdul Kareem expressed deep sorrow over the Chakwal incident and offered condolences to the bereaved family of little Hania. He said the incident is a great cause of grief not only for the affected family but for all of us. We have taken this matter extremely seriously and impartial investigations are underway. The charge-sheet for this incident will be completed and submitted to the court very soon. He added that to ensure transparent investigations, a JIT has been formed under the leadership of an SSP; its purpose is to conduct transparent inquiries and uncover the truth. Relevant Punjab government departments and the police are providing full cooperation to the JIT’s investigations so that the real facts can come to light. IG Punjab Abdul Kareem said that as an institution we are accountable for this incident, and therefore we will make every effort to reveal the correct facts through transparent investigations and, if the crime is proven, ensure that appropriate punishment is carried out. He said that earlier today he had visited the homes of two martyrs who gave their lives in a terrorism incident in Dera Ghazi Khan to offer condolences. These martyrs are the pride of Punjab Police because they sacrificed their lives to uphold the rule of law and to realize a crime-free Punjab. The morale of Punjab Police personnel is high, and they remain stationed at the same checkpoint with even greater bravery and spirit of sacrifice to protect the country and the nation. Regarding the Chakwal incident, the IG Punjab said the affected family will be ensured full justice in every respect and efforts will be made to prevent such incidents in the future.
Additional IGP CCD Sohail Zafar Chattha said the Chakwal incident is a matter of deep sorrow for all of us. Immediately after the incident he himself visited the victim’s home and offered condolences; he covered little Hania’s grave with flowers and recited Fatiha. During the visit he assured the affected family that a transparent and impartial investigation will be ensured at all costs and that the family will receive justice. He said the affected family has expressed full confidence in the CCD’s investigation. Sohail Zafar Chattha added that the CCD not only suspended and arrested the accused immediately after the incident, but also, at the request of the affected family, registered a case under Section 302 against their own officer. He said the CCD investigation team recovered and recorded all evidence related to the incident, including the suspect’s service rifle, bullet casings and other material, so that the case can be brought to conclusion as soon as possible. Sohail Zafar Chattha said investigations will be completed and a comprehensive charge-sheet will be submitted to the court by the end of next week. He added that the Australian government has also contacted them about the matter, and they assured Australia that transparent investigations will be ensured at all costs and that the affected family will receive justice. Sohail Zafar Chattha said they have decided to review their SOPs so that incidents of this type do not recur. He also said they will soon hold special training for their officers and personnel to ensure full compliance with the law and SOPs. He stated that the CCD strictly adheres to human rights and ensures in all its operations that innocent civilians are not harmed, even if that allows an extremely wanted fugitive to escape. He said the CCD’s performance in crime prevention has been exemplary so far and its efforts have led to a clear reduction in crime rates in a very short time. He noted that during CCD’s efforts to eliminate crime, two CCD officers have been martyred and more than 200 have been injured. Additional IGP CCD Sohail Zafar Chattha concluded the press conference by promising the affected family and everyone present that not only will justice be done in this case, but justice will also be seen to be done.
(Daily Notable)
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