Imran accuses 'savage' Punjab govt of covering up PTI worker's death, demands judicial probe.

LAHORE -- Former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday accused the Punjab caretaker government of covering up PTI worker Ali Bilal's death and urged the Lahore High Court (LHC) to constitute a judicial commission to probe the matter.

Bilal, also known as Zillay Shah, died, several others were injured and many picked up on March 8 as the caretaker Punjab government used force to block a rally called to launch the party's campaign for the April 30 elections in the province.

Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar earlier today rejected allegations levelled by the PTI blaming the provincial administration for the alleged custodial killing of Bilal, insisting the incident was purely a road 'accident case' which, he said, was 'unfortunately misinterpreted' publicly.

In his first televised address after the LHC revoked the ban on the PTI chairman's speeches, Imran hit back hard at the provincial authorities, terming the Punjab police as 'savages', saying that he could not believe 'what they did to a special person (Bilal)'.

'Police are trying their level best to cover up the case. They put his family members in jail and now they're making people give forceful statements to cover it up.'

Addressing the judiciary, Imran said they were the only ones preventing the country from turning into a 'banana republic'. 'I request Punjab's chief justice to form a judicial commission on this matter today and investigate what happened with him (Bilal),' the PTI chief said, adding that he had no hope from the government.

He also called on the Election Commission of Pakistan to take resignations from the caretaker chief minister, IG and Lahore capital city police officer immediately. 'You appointed them ... so take their resignations today,' the former prime minister demanded.

'I'm hurt over his death,' Imran said...