Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has described the death of PTI worker Ahmed Bilal’s murder as an “incident” and accused the PTI of making “false allegations” of murder.
“It was shocking for us when we got to know about the death of the PTI worker. The police were trying to ensure the implementation of the law but the death of a worker is not something to ignore. There were no instructions and no such thing that workers should be tortured so much,” he said at a press conference.
He was accompanied by Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar.
PTI worker Bilal was not killed in a police crackdown, the interim chief minister of Punjab said, adding that the police and government “immediately” started working when they received the information. He claimed that the deceased person did not die because of torture.
Punjab IG started speaking by mentioning the deceased PTI worker Ahmed Bilal’s father Liaquat Ali appeal to the police for justice.
The caretaker CM also called out the PTI for accusing police and the administration for being hand in glove in the incident.
“We are not barring you from politics but you should refrain from levelling baseless allegations on us,” he told journalists.
Naqvi said he would have answered the allegations “in a different manner” had he not been on the coveted position. “It is my responsibility to bear such attacks with restraint but threatening to file a first information report with murder charges totally on the basis of assumptions is too much.”
“I will not surrender. I will prefer going home but will not give in,” the CM told journalists.
He also categorically denied that the police were given any directions to torture workers of a particular party.
Naqvi said the IG will himself visit the victim’s father, adding the Punjab government will also extend financial assistance to the heirs which it usually does.
“They did a great injustice to me and the police administration. This should not have happened,” the provincial chief executive said.
He noted that it was a blind case and commended Punjab police for their efforts in tracing the suspects.
