Tribunal constituted to probe Sonia Naz rape case in Punjab
Pakistan Times Punjab Bureau Report

FAISALABAD: The Punjab government has established a single person tribunal to know the facts about the Sonia Naz case. District and Sessions Judge Faisalabad, Abdul Waheed Khan, has been nominated for this tribunal.

The inquiry tribunal has been set up after the statement of Sonia Naz given to the police inquiry team.

Sonia Naz has refused to divulge any further information to the police officials saying ‘I am mortally afraid of cops after what they have done to me.’

She said she could not overcome her fear despite assurances from the government that strict action would be taken against the SP Investigation, Abdullah Khalid, and especially SHO Jaranwala Police Station, Jamshaid Chishti.

Statement Recorded

After getting statement from Sonia Naz, the police inquiry team headed for Lahore.

However, the stern action will be taken against the accused, if found guilty, on the findings of the inquiry tribunal.

On the other hand, many NGOs, Commission on Human Rights and PPP have been quite vocal in support of Sonia Naz case.

DIG, DPO Summoned

Meanwhile, another report says that the investigation team constituted by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi to probe the Sonia Naz’s rape allegation against two police officials and the motor registration scandal has asked Faisalabad Range DIG Chaudhry Sajjad Ahmad and DPO Muhammad Ameen Wains to appear before the committee in the Central Police Headquarters in Lahore on Sunday.

Sources close to the inquiry team said that Sonia, who appeared before the committee on Friday, recorded her statement for about five hours and disclosed some vital facts about the arrest of her husband Asim Yousaf and other officials of the Faisalabad excise and taxation department.

Disclosures

She had also revealed details about extortion by the accused police officials, implication of her father-in-law and other relatives, besides the torment she underwent for pursuing the case.

She also talked at length about the vehicle registration scam, release of key accused and indifference of the police in taking action against the culprits.

The inquiry committee also summoned around three dozen other police officials.

Besides, the officials of the Faisalabad excise and taxation department had been directed to stay in Lahore for presentation of record, add the sources.

The investigation team is likely to submit its interim report to the Punjab IGP by today, Monday.

In-depth

Sonia Naz on Friday recorded her statement before an inquiry committee at the office of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) chairman and alleged that Police Inspector Jamshed Chishti had raped her while Superintendent of Police (SP) Khalid Abdullah had tried to rape her.

Sonia, who a day earlier had expressed her confidence in the HRCP to monitor her case, reached HRCP Chairman Asma Jehangir’s office where she met the two-member committee appointed by Punjab Inspector General (IG) of Police Ziaul Hassan.

An Elite Force squad along with other security personnel cordoned off the HRCP chairperson’s office to provide security to Sonia. The victim recorded her statement before the inquiry committee chief Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Zafar Ahmed Qureshi from 11:30am to 5:00pm.

Sonia said unidentified people kidnapped her from her house in Johar Town, Lahore, took her to an unknown location (probably Faisalabad) where Inspector Jamshed Chishti raped her and SP Abdullah tried to rape her.

A formal complaint was registered at Sattokatla Police Station on Friday night, which would be considered as a First Information Report. The HRCP will provide her shelter, while police will provide her security during the investigation process.

She later told reporters that the inquiry committee was very cooperative. She also thanked the media, who broke her story and supported her. She also thanked Pakistan Muslim League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who managed to get her released from Adiala Jail in April 2005 after being arrested from the National Assembly.

She also demanded security and justice. She said Inspector Chishti raped her while SP Abdullah urinated in her mouth after failing to rape her.

She said Adviser to the Prime Minster on Women’s Development Nilofar Bakhtiar had contacted her and assured her support. Sonia said she did not know anything about her husband. She said she would stay with her family (two children) under police guard.

“We want to cooperate with the government in the investigation,” Asma Jehangir said, adding, “National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain and MNA Mehnaz Rafi should publicly apologise to the victim, as their action (of having her arrested for entering the National Assembly) gave way to Sonia’s rape.” She said the NA was a forum formed by the power of the people and its representatives should not exploit people seeking justice.

“Sonia is cooperating with the inquiry team and the investigation is at its initial stage,” DIG Qureshi said. “We will try to complete the inquiry within the deadline or may submit an interim report on Saturday,” he told Daily Times, adding, “All processes will be completed fairly.” He said the report would be submitted to the Punjab IG.

Meanwhile, Brian Heath, the principal officer of the US Consulate in Lahore and several senior US officials also visited the HRCP chairperson’s office and met the investigation team and Sonia’s attorney.

Reportedly, the US officials expressed concern over the issue and hoped the investigation would be fair.

There has been no announcement of the formation of a tribunal, which the Punjab chief minister had asked for to look into the issue.

However, the government has written to the Lahore High Court in this regard, but there was no reply till Friday. Inspector Chishti has been suspended while SP Abdullah has been posted as officer on special duty (OSD).●