Wednesday, April 9, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 2,1429    

Rehman orders probe

Islamabad—Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior A. Rehman Malik ordered inquiry into the incident of manhandling of the former federal minister, Dr. Sher Afgan Niazi by some furious lawyers at Lahore on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, Rehman Malik said a committee will be constituted that would submit report tomorrow afternoon to identify the perpetrators and take stern actions against them.

He said an FIR to this effect had been lodged that aimed at bringing the culprits to book and ensure avoiding such condemnable acts in future.

“We want writ of the government to prevail all over the country...rule of law has to prevail and lawlessness has to be checked,” he said.

Rehman Malik said he had been closely monitoring the incident and was in close touch with IGP Punjab. He said he had talked to Dr. Sher Afgan and conveyed him the sympathies on behalf of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

“I was about to leave for Dubai for an official visit, but cancelled my programme as soon as I learnt about the incident,” he said. Rehman Malik said he had advised top security officials of Punjab to pinpoint the culprits who were visible in the television.—APP