Report blames PTI for stampede - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
ISLAMABAD: The initial report on Friday’s tragedy at the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) rally in Multan, submitted by the local administration to the prime minister, speaks of callousness on the part of three PTI leaders who, officials insist, did not cooperate when asked to make announcements that could have mitigated the stampede.
The three-page report, a copy of which is available with Dawn, claims that the stampede at the public meeting began during Imran Khan’s speech.
“The incident took place due to unmannered rush of the people and stampede of participants who rushed out of the (stadium’s) eastern gate before (the) end of Imran Khan’s speech,” says the report.
The ‘confidential’ document, titled “Incident Report”, claims that following the initial melee, an assistant sub-inspector was sent to the PTI stage to make an announcement asking people not to move towards the eastern gate. “The ASI met Dr Akhtar Malik, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Malik Aamir Dogar at the stage…however, no announcement was made as Imran Khan was making a speech at that time. (The ASI) was told that the speaker cannot be interrupted,” the report states.
The report, signed by City Police Officer Sultan Ahmed Chaudhry and District Coordination Officer Zahid Saleem Gondal, says that two people were killed on the spot whereas five others died of their wounds later.
Describing the sequence of events leading up to the stampede, the report states: “Imran Khan…addressed the audience at about 7:30pm. During his speech, after approximately 10 to 15 minutes, the people/audience started to go out from the stadium towards different gates.”
“Due to (the) unmannered rush of people and (the ensuing) stampede, some participants slipped and fell down on the ground, (and the) crowd ran over them. Consequently, two persons expired at the spot, whereas, 38 persons were injured,” reads the report.
The Jalalpur Pirwala sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), who was on duty at this gate, “immediately started (a) rescue operation … and started shifting the injured along with Rescue 1122.”
The report says that the SDPO also made announcements via megaphone, telling people to stay away from the gate where the stampede took place.
“The rescue operation team of Rescue 1122 (and the) fire brigade service made water spray at the gate in order to stop people from (exiting) the said gate and to save their lives”, the report claims.
Through the report, the city police chief and the DCO have held the PTI responsible for the stampede and the resulting deaths of seven people, following an otherwise impressive show of strength by the party at Multan’s Qasim Bagh Stadium.
The NoC for the public meeting was issued after on the submission of an undertaking by Ijaz Hussain Janjua, the PTI district president.
The report states: “During the meeting, an undertaking was obtained from the applicant mentioning all the terms and conditions consisting of 26points for holding a peaceful public meeting after deliberation with all the stakeholders. Among the conspicuous points, it was agreed by the applicant that the organiser i.e. PTI, will be responsible for arranging search and security, arrangements for lights on the backside of the stage as well as in and outside of the (stage). It was also one of the conditions that all the agreed terms will be fulfilled until the Jalsa is finished and workers/participants are dispersed peacefully and reach their respective places.”
According to the report, there were only five exit gates, which were not sufficient for such a large gathering of people and states that about 2,200 police personnel were deployed at the stadium.
Separately on Saturday, PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi – in a press conference in Multan - rejected the report and termed it a “pack of lies.”
Meanwhile, on D-Chowk, PTI chief Imran Khan vowed justice for the families of the victims.
“I am very upset about the deaths of PTI supporters in Multan and I will take all necessary steps to get justice for the families of the victims,” Mr Khan promised his audience.
He also lashed out against Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and also questioned the role of the police deployed at the scene.
“Mr Shahbaz, I don’t trust on you and the inquiry regarding the Multan incident under your supervision as chief minister of Punjab. But I will wait for the inquiry nevertheless,” Mr Khan said.
He also announced financial support on behalf of PTI for the victims’ families.
Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2014
