Ready to register Model Town FIR, govt says

ISLAMABAD: After months of stalling, the government on Thursday said it is ready to begin a process for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) in the Model Town case that resulted in the death of 11 Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) supporters — a move that may mitigate growing friction between the government and Dr Tahirul Qadri over his ominous call for a 'revolution'. 

As anti-government protesters thronged the road outside Parliament, on the floor of the National Assembly Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif said the government is ready to nominate the prime minister and other ministers in the FIR.

"A process for the FIR has started and the government will not appeal against court orders," Asif said during a debate in the NA.

However, he maintained that the government’s fresh move amidst the heated political climate and resulting deadlock should not be misconstrued as vulnerability.

"Our offer for FIR was considered our weakness but nothing against law and constitution would be accepted," Asif said, dubbing it a “mature” suggestion.

The government's fresh offer is one of radical Dr Qadri's demands to the government, along with the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as well as the dissolution of assemblies for the formation of what he terms a "people's parliament".

Later at a press conference outside the assembly building, Asif along with Railways Minister Saad Rafique pledged to fight for the supremacy of Parliament and constitution.

“Pakistan is for all – we are ready to the register case in the Model Town tragedy, we are willing to look into his demands,” Asif continued.

“Our patience must not be taken to be our weakness,” he said, adding, ““This is not about satisfying someone’s ego. The prime minister had said that the Pariament as well the system needed to be protected.”