Multan tragedy report: Inquiry panel holds PTI responsible for deaths
LAHORE:
A three-member inquiry committee on Monday held Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) top functionaries in Multan responsible for the October 10 stampede and “mismanagement at Qasim Bagh Stadium” during the party’s rally.
The stampede itself led to the deaths of seven people and injuries to dozens more. The inquiry committee has handed over its report to the Punjab government for further action.
Under an agreement with the district coordination officer, PTI’s Multan district body had chosen the venue for the public gathering to be addressed by Imran Khan. For its part, the district government handed over the management of the stadium to PTI office bearers, an official associated with the committee said.
The stadium has a seating capacity of 25,000 to 30,000 but the PTI rally drew a crowd that was three times more than that. Such a big gathering is difficult to control. The stadium has six gates, each 11 to 12 feet wide and all gates were functional before the commencement of the public gathering, the inquiry said.