Dubai: Pakistani tweeps are demanding justice as #JusticeForModelTownMartyrs trends. They are doing this for the 14 people killed in Lahore’s Model Town because of a clash between the Punjab Police and supporters of Pakistani political party, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT). This was on June 17, 2014.
Four years later, the country’s justice system has not held anyone accountable for the death of over a dozen people, however social media is remembering the “martyrs”.
Largely, tweeps condemned the incident, sympathised with the victims and urged authorities to serve justice to their families.
Naheeda Rajpoot @naheeda_rajpoot tweeted: “Martyrs of Model Town gave sacrifices against this brutal system. Their sacrifices are precious & the killers will [be] hanged v soon. It’s over... Justice would be done.”
Martyers of Model town gave sacrifices against this brutal system .Their sacrifices are precious & the killers will hanged v soon.Its over... Justice would be done..@TahirulQadri #JusticeForModelTownMartyrs
— Naheeda Rajpoot (@naheeda_rajpoot) June 17, 2018
Activist Ayesha Mubashir or @RafahaAimun posted: “We would never let the #MTMassacre be ignored despite the effort of the incumbent government. The Killers League would definitely face their humiliating. #JusticeForModelTownMartyrs”
We would never let the #MTMassacre be ignored despite the effort of the incumbent government.The Killers League would definitely face their humiliating.#JusticeForModelTownMartyrs
— Ayesha Mubashir (@RafahaAimun) June 17, 2018
Tweeps chose to highlight the lack of action the state has taken, towards the matter. Anjum Kiani, using his Twitter handle @AnjumKiani posted: “The Model Town Massacre remains a stain on the nation’s conscience. The continuous delay in #JusticeForModelTownMartyrs puts a question mark on the state institutions’ ability to punish the ruling elite for such heinous crimes.”
The Model Town Massacre remains a stain on the nation conscience. The continious delay in #JusticeForModelTownMartyrs puts a Question mark on the state institutions ability to punish the ruling elite for such heinous crimes.
— Anjum Kiani (@AnjumKiani) June 16, 2018
On the same sentiment, Tweep @MounPhaatt chose to hold the Chief Justice of Pakistan accountable and tweeted: “Being a CJP it was your duty to provide speedy justice for model town Martyrs but you failed. Justice delayed is justice denied #JusticeForModelTownMartyrs”
Being a CJP it was your duty to provide speedy justice for model town Martyrs but you failed. Justice delayed is justice denied #JusticeForModelTownMartyrs
— Musketeer (@MounPhaatt) June 18, 2018
Meanwhile, the founder of PAT, preacher turned politician, Tahir Al Qadri chose to update netizens on his efforts. Using his handle @TahirulQadri, he tweeted: “To seek #JusticeForModelTownMartyrs we are fighting a legal war with full strength and acuity. Inshaa Allah, the victims will seek justice and the killers will meet their ultimate fate.”
To seek #JusticeForModelTownMartyrs we are fighting a legal war with full strength and acuity. Insha'Allah, the victims will seek justice and the killers will meet their ultimate fate.
— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) June 17, 2018
However, some people were sceptical of Qadri’s motives and urged the families of the victims to take action themselves rather than depending on any political entity.
Zahid Rai or @royzahid tweeted: “A question for Model Town victims’ families. How long are you going to wait for Tahir Qadri to come to & pressurise the Govt for justice? He is a cheat & will never push for justice until his own agenda is involved. You have to do it urself.”
A question for Model Town victims families. How long are you going to wait for Tahir Qadri to come to & pressurize the Govt for justice?
— Zahid Rai (@royzahid) June 18, 2018
He is a cheat & will never push for justice until his own agenda is involved.
U HAVE TO DO IT URSELF#JusticeForModelTownMartyrs