Influential Pak minister suppressing Lahore attack probe

Islamabad, July 2 (ANI): Pakistan's National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Sports is being pressurized by some influential leaders to the stop the criminal proceedings against security officials who have been accused of negligence and are charged with dereliction of duty during the brazen terror attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore, it has been revealed.

According to sources, a sitting minister has asked the committee to 'go-slow' in the case.

"A sitting PPP federal minister is influencing the sports committee to have a soft stance against the security officials who were involved in providing poor and weak security cover to the visiting Sri Lankan team," The Dawn quoted a top Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official, as saying.

"There was complete security lapse shown by the Punjab security officials and there were lapses in the top level security on March 3rd," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Advisor on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik has been summoned by the committee to appear before it and explain the steps taken against the officials for security lapses during the attack.

The Home Secretary, Inspector General of Police Punjab, and other top officials have also been asked to be present during the hearing slated for July 14th.

It may be noted that the PML-N members of the NA committee, and the PPP legislators had recommended criminal proceedings against all those officials who have been found guilty. (ANI)