ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Dr Tahir ul Qadri said that there could be no transparent probe into Model Town tragedy as long as Shahbaz Sharif remained as Chief Minister of Punjab.

In an exclusive chat with SAMAA’s senior anchorperson Ali Mumtaz from his container, Qadri said that Punjab government was fully responsible for the Model Town incident, in which 14 people were killed and more than 80 were shot.

“My first demand for registration of FIR of Model Town tragedy and resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was not accepted, leading to suspension of talks with the government,” he said.

“I was requested to give access to members of Sharif family, which I did. But my first demand was not even considered,” he explained.

The PAT leader said that negotiators were never empowered by the government.

Commenting on his sit-in, Qadri said that it was a peaceful battle for the restoration of real democracy. Those who have gathered here to demand justice are being labeled as terrorists, he complained.

To a question, he said that Chinese President’s visit to Pakistan was cancelled due to government’s incompetence. “We have made no threat to the Chinese president,” he clarified. - SAMAA

Source: http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/05-Sep-2014/punjab-govt-guilty-of-model-town-massacre-qadri