Punjab police form five JITs to probe Jinnah House arson

The Punjab Home department Saturday constituted five different joint investigation teams (JITs) to probe the arson attack on the Corp Commander House in Lahore, also known as the Jinnah House, as well as the attack on Askari Tower on May 9.

According to notifications issued by the department, the five JITs will investigate the vandalism and arson attack on the structure located inside the high-security zone in the provincial capital.

All the JITs were notified on May 25 to investigate the various cases registered in different police stations pertaining to the attacks.

One JIT has been constituted with the Iqbal Town Superintendent of Police (SP) Investigation Dr Aqeela Niaz Naqvi as the convener and four officers of the city’s police force which will conduct investigation in case FIR No.108/23 in several sections registered on May 13 under PPC,7-ATA 1997 in the Sarwar Road police station.

Two JITs have been formed with City Division SP Investigation Dr Raza Tanveer as convener. One has been constituted with five other officers as members in case FIR No.1570/23 on May 11 under PPC,7-ATA 1997 in the Mughalpura police station, while another has been formed with four members in case FIR No.109/23 on May 13 in different sections under PPC, 7-ATA 1997 in the Sarwar Road police station.

Fourth JIT will be led by Sadar Division SP Investigation Abdul Hanan with four officers as members in case FIR No.1283/23 in numerous sections on May 12 under PPC, 7-ATA 1997 in the Gulberg police station.

The convener of the fifth JIT will be Lahore Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Investigation Dr Anoosh Masood who will be joined by four officers as members in probe in case FIR No.1271/23 IN various sections on May 10 under PPC, 7-ATA 1997 in the Gulberg police station.

Several leaders, workers and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are known to be involved in the attack within this high-security zone in Lahore after they entered the vicinity to protest against the arrest of their party Chairman Imran Khan on May 9.

So far, the anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has allowed handing over 16 suspects, allegedly involved in the attack, to the military’s commanding officer to prosecute them under the Army Act in line with the decision of high-powered National Security Committee (NSC).

They were named in two separate cases filed in connection with the attack.

Both the country civil and military leadership have resolved to punish all the arsonists and attackers involved in damaging public and private property as well as military installations in the garb of protests.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had declared the unprecedented violence as "black chapter" in the country's history vowing to try the rioters under Army Act and other relevant laws of the country.