The system of justice has become system of oppression: Khurram Nawaz Gandapur

Model Town JIT case has been suspended for the past 3 years on a stay order

PAT Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur has said that the system of justice has become the system of oppression. He said we want to see how long the shadows of oppression stay intact. He said it is the verdict in the Model Town JIT case that would deliver justice but added that the case has unfortunately been subjected to the stay order for three years. He wondered as to what difficulty and twist is there in a simple and straightforward case that our intelligent, erudite and able honorable High Court judges are unable to sort out. He said it has been three years since the benches have got broken and are replaced by new benches but it is justice which is non-existent so far.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur made these remarks while talking to a delegation of Awami Lawyers Forum that called on him yesterday. He said the delay in the decision in the JIT case is benefiting the accused in the trial court and now they have started applying for acquittal in the trial court under a clever legal strategy and the lawyers of the families of the martyred are being forced to offer their arguments on the applications. He said that we are being asked to become part of the process of settling the acquittal requests of the accused by turning a blind eye to the central case.

PAT Secretary General feared if the accused get the certificates of acquittal from the trial court, the dream of justice would remain a pipedream even if the JIT is allowed to resume its stalled work, for according to law, no dual trial can be held on the same case as per the legal norm. He said it is not a coincidence and it appears that the heirs of the martyrs are being taken for a ride according to a shrewd strategy.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur reminded that the Model Town tragedy was a massacre that was broadcast live around the world where the faces of the murderers can easily be spotted. He bemoaned the fact that despite visible and clear evidence, the process of justice has remained disrupted for the past eight years. He said that the legal paths now seem to be smoothened for the accused leading to their possible acquittals. He said that we are a peaceful people and have pinned high hopes on the judiciary for the delivery of justice but it appears that justice is being killed.

PAT Secretary General prayed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice of the delay and get the directions of the apex court implemented in which the highest court in the land had ordered the High Court to immediately take up the pending appeals including the one related to Model Town JIT.

Naeem-ud-Din Chaudhry Advocate, Shakeel Mumka Advocate and complainant Jawwad Hamid were also present on the occasion.