Lahore: Liberty shootout inquiry: Former Punjab IG ‘unaware’ of security plan

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Report says written reply signed by former IG proves he was aware of February 25 security plan

By Rana Tanveer

LAHORE: Former inspector general of police (IGP) Khawaja Khalid Farooq conceded before the inquiry tribunal of the Lahore High Court (LHC) that he was unaware of the security plan for the safety of the Sri Lankan cricket team and found out the details after the attack.

The IG told the tribunal, consisting of Justice Shabbar Raza Rizvi, that he was unaware of the decisions taken by the home secretary during a meeting on January 16. The high-level meeting had formulated a plan for the security of the visiting team. The IG had not attended the meeting because he had not been appointed to the post at that time. He admitted, however, that he came to know of the decision and the comprehensive security plan after the attack occurred on March 3. Farooq took charge of his office as IG on February 26, ten days after the meeting, and was unaware of the decisions taken. He said he was also unaware of the warning issued by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) as that also reached the IG office before he took charge.

However, he submitted before the tribunal that realising the sensitivity of the event, he issued directions on February 26 for appropriate measures for the team’s security. At this, the judge refused to believe his statement, saying it was incorrect and contradictory to his written and signed reply, wherein he mentioned the security plan of February 25.

Written reply: The judge wrote in his inquiry report that the sensitivity of the event and the threat which was already prominent during one-day matches was properly conveyed to the concerned quarters. He said the operations deputy inspector general of police (DIG) issued a detailed security plan on February 25 for the five-day test match which was in the knowledge of the IG.

The tribunal held that the documents proved, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the IG was well aware of the security plan finalised on February 25. The judge said his replies showed his casual dealing with the affair, adding that he treated the event like just another routine matter.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg13_3