Warning: This article contains graphic imagery.
One year ago today, Pakistani police descended upon the home of Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri in the Model Town suburb of Lahore, Pakistan. Tahir-ul-Qadri is the founder of Pakistan’s Awami Tehrik (PAT) political party and a scholar of Sufi Islam. Four years prior, he erected concrete barriers in front of his home and PAT headquarters as a safety measure after speaking out against the Taliban. Punjabi police wanted them removed, and they didn’t want to wait for court authority to do so.
After thrice being thwarted by gathering crowds of protesters and activists, they returned with assault rifles and opened fire into the crowd. Some fired tear gas and beat protesters with batons. The victims could only throw rocks in defense. Twelve were killed and dozens critically injured.
Shortly after the clash, police visited a hospital where the wounded were being treated. There they reportedly altered the medical documents of injured police officers to show bullet injuries. It’s widely seen as an attempt to justify the Punjabi police claim that PAT activists were armed and shooting at police. Video from the scene shows just the opposite – police firing into the crowd unprovoked.
At the time, worldwide reporting of the incident was perhaps not as thorough as the matter deserved. Today, activists on Twitter are seeking to change that with #ModelTownMartyrsDay, a hashtag commemorating the first anniversary of the massacre. It coincides with official observances inside Pakistan.
A year ago we witnessed the corrupt Gov going to all extremes by killing innocent lives to protect its corruption #ModelTownMartyrsDay
— Zahra (@zahra_92) June 17, 2015
Many used the opportunity to express their outrage, demonstrating how fresh the wounds still are in Pakistan. Taimoor Hassan, a Pakistani social worker and peace activist, summed up the widespread resentment felt toward the government.
https://twitter.com/ChTaimoor92/status/611150614370742274
He further expressed activist’s resolve to remember those who died in Model Town.
https://twitter.com/ChTaimoor92/status/607196576105250816
Others called for justice from the Pakistani government, who have largely denied direct involvement in the raid.
https://twitter.com/hunnia06/status/611148018826416128
If rulers had democratic values and moral courage then MT massacre would never have happened.#ModelTownMartyrsDay pic.twitter.com/Bzq0Kh6cpM
— ???????? Ms.Hira (@hiramughal5) June 17, 2015
Model Town Incident 2014: One year passed, culprits are still unidentified. Where is Justice #ModelTownMartyrsDay"
— Ayesha Ashraf Goraya (@TheAyeshaAshraf) June 17, 2015
If you want to stand in solidarity with Pakistanis fighting for freedom of speech and police accountability, check out the hashtag #ModelTownMartyrsDay and show your support. Let the people of Pakistan know the world is with them. We leave you with a few words from Twitter user @Shehr0ze.
History can never defeat them, Who never give up!#ModelTownMartyrsDay pic.twitter.com/smFjFK7NOE
— Muhammad Shehroze (@ShehrozeSays) June 17, 2015
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