The servant of former power board member, Muhammad Khan Bhatti, was shot dead in village Bhaka Bhattian for not giving Rs one million as protection money (Jagga Tax).
According to a police report, Abrar Hussain Bhatti was demanding Rs one million from former power board member, Muhamamd Kan Bhatti, as “Jagga Tax”. But Muhammad Khan refused to pay the amount. On the day of the incident, Abrar Hussain along with his more than 10 accomplices, allegedly proclaimed offenders, reached the village and opened fire. As a result, Zahid Imran was killed. Kassoki police have registered a case against the accused with no arrest so far.
RS 5M, GOLD ORNAMENTS LOOTED FROM HOUSE: At least four bandits looted Rs 5 million and gold ornaments from a house after taking the family members hostage.
Reportedly, four bandits allegedly stormed into the house of Muhammad Nawaz of Shalimar Town. They took all the family members hostage and looted Rs 5 million cash and gold ornaments and fled away. The city police have registered a case against Waris, Ghulam Shabbir, Akhtar and Imtiaz and started investigation.
WAPDA employees protest against police: The employees of all subdivisions of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in Hafizabad protested against the police for not registering a case against the landlords of village Kariala.
Reportedly, a WAPDA recovery team went to Kot Hasan Khan to recover arrears from the villagers. When the team reached village Kariala, eight influential landlords, including Adil, Saeed, Zafar and Rashid, attacked them, broke the official vehicle and destroyed the official files.
Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Mian Zafar Iqabl submitted an application with the Kassoki Police Station, but the police refused to register a case against the accused. WAPDA Hydroelectric Labour Union left the work in protest against the police for not registering the case. The work remained suspended throughout the day. Hydroelectric Labour Union Divisional Chairman Abdur Razaq warned if a case under Anti-Terrorism Act was not registered against the accused landlords, they would be compelled to suspend the power supply to the district.
On the other hand, Hafizabad Bar General Secretary Syed Asim Bukhari has announced strike against the WAPDA officials for violating court orders. He said Adeel Salehria Advocate had obtained stay orders against the WAPDA for not disconnecting the electricity meter. He added the suspension of power supply to the entire district was not justified.
APCA OBSERVES STRIKE: All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA), Hafizabad chapter, observed strike in the district in favour of their demands already presented to the government.
The office work remained suspended and the people coming to various offices for the redress of their grievances had to face problems owing to the strike.
The clerks also arranged a sit-in outside their offices while the local leaders demanded early increase in their salaries and other benefits equal to the staff of police department and courts.
