PTI chief Imran Khan on Saturday accused Punjab's caretaker government of covering up Ali Bilal's death, demanding the Lahore High Court to form a judicial commission to investigate the incident.
Ali Bilal, also known as Zillay Shah, died as the caretaker government attempted to block a rally called to launch PTI’s campaign for the provincial elections scheduled for April 30.
Addressing supporters via live telecast, Imran also announced to lead the rally, scheduled to take place in Lahore tomorrow at 2pm.
Lashing out at provincial authorities, Imran termed Punjab police "maniacs", saying he could not believe as to “what they did to a special person [Bilal]”.
“I’m hurt over his death,” Imran said hours after the Punjab IG held a presser flanked by caretaker chief minister. “He was a harmless man but he was tortured in custody, which is shameful”.
According to him, there were at least 60 marks [of torture] on Bilal’s body, which he said was indication that he, indeed, was tortured.
Earlier today, Usman Anwar rejected PTI‘s assertions their worker Ali Bilal’s died in police custody, saying his death was a case of road accident.
Read this too: FIR Lodged Against Imran Khan, PTI Leaders For ‘Assaulting Police’
Anwar said the death was purely a road “accident” which was “unfortunately misinterpreted” on a public level.
“The evidence clearly indicate that this is an accident case. None of the accused in this case tried to kill and blame it on the police,” he maintained.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohsin Naqvi called out PTI for alleging the involvement of police and the administration in the incident.
He lamented that the PTI leader Yasmin Rashid went ahead with a presser targeting the administration and the police, despite having knowledge of the facts.
“Those who were on the vehicle told everything to Rashid, but they [PTI] kept on blaming the provincial administration,” Naqvi remarked.
Naqvi also claimed that the victim’s father was offered money to back the party’s narrative behind the death.
“It is my responsibility to bear such attacks but threatening to file an FIR with murder charges on the basis of mere assumptions is a bit too much.”
Permission denied
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Lahore has conveyed to PTI leaders that the permission for the rally cannot be granted.
According to the official, the public gathering couldn't be allowed in view of the PSL 8 match due to be held in the city on Sunday.
The DC added that if the rally isn't postponed, the authorities will be left with no option than to impose Section 144 in the city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWmk9Op7zFg
Ali Bilal, also known as Zillay Shah, died as the caretaker government attempted to block a rally called to launch PTI’s campaign for the provincial elections scheduled for April 30.
Addressing supporters via live telecast, Imran also announced to lead the rally, scheduled to take place in Lahore tomorrow at 2pm.
Lashing out at provincial authorities, Imran termed Punjab police "maniacs", saying he could not believe as to “what they did to a special person [Bilal]”.
“I’m hurt over his death,” Imran said hours after the Punjab IG held a presser flanked by caretaker chief minister. “He was a harmless man but he was tortured in custody, which is shameful”.
According to him, there were at least 60 marks [of torture] on Bilal’s body, which he said was indication that he, indeed, was tortured.
Earlier today, Usman Anwar rejected PTI‘s assertions their worker Ali Bilal’s died in police custody, saying his death was a case of road accident.
Read this too: FIR Lodged Against Imran Khan, PTI Leaders For ‘Assaulting Police’
Anwar said the death was purely a road “accident” which was “unfortunately misinterpreted” on a public level.
“The evidence clearly indicate that this is an accident case. None of the accused in this case tried to kill and blame it on the police,” he maintained.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohsin Naqvi called out PTI for alleging the involvement of police and the administration in the incident.
He lamented that the PTI leader Yasmin Rashid went ahead with a presser targeting the administration and the police, despite having knowledge of the facts.
“Those who were on the vehicle told everything to Rashid, but they [PTI] kept on blaming the provincial administration,” Naqvi remarked.
Naqvi also claimed that the victim’s father was offered money to back the party’s narrative behind the death.
“It is my responsibility to bear such attacks but threatening to file an FIR with murder charges on the basis of mere assumptions is a bit too much.”
Permission denied
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Lahore has conveyed to PTI leaders that the permission for the rally cannot be granted.
According to the official, the public gathering couldn't be allowed in view of the PSL 8 match due to be held in the city on Sunday.
The DC added that if the rally isn't postponed, the authorities will be left with no option than to impose Section 144 in the city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWmk9Op7zFg