Prize bond gambling on the rise, again

Gambling on speculation of prize bond numbers is once again on a rise in jurisdiction of the 82 police stations that fall under Lahore division, Pakistan Today has learnt. A few years ago, such gambling had been curbed to a large extent through police operations at several gambling hubs and registration of cases against offenders.
However, even today areas such as Garhi Shahu, Kot Lakhpat, RA Bazaar, Ichhra, Rehmanpura, Wahdat Colony, Dhobi Ghat, Mughalpura, Shalimar Bagh, Walton, Shahdra Town, Nolakha, Defence A and B, Gujarpura, Nishtar Colony and several others have become a safe haven for such type of gambling where these activities are continuously rising unhindered.
It appears that the police officials are fully aware of the activity and sources go as far as claiming that such activities cannot take place openly without police assistance.
Every month, on the eve of the 14th and the 30th, before the bi-monthly announcements of winning bond numbers, gamblers remain busy booking speculated numbers for clients.
Mazhar Butt, a resident of Shahdra, talking to Pakistan Today said gambling and narcotics centres operated openly in the area and with police assistance. “Whenever we report these activities to the police they ask for evidence which the lay man can often not provide,” he said. Butt claimed that instead of conducting investigations, the police send the informants away, threatening them. “When the protectors of law are shielding criminals then the society is bound to go to ruins,” he said.
Nasir Javed from Ichhra told Pakistan Today that a notorious group led by Zahid alias Maula was involved in prize bond gambling and match fixing in Rehri Wala Chowk with police assistance. Javed claimed that the group was working through a jewellery shop in the area which was in the authorities’ knowledge.
“Everyone knows about Zahid and his jewellery shop and what actually goes on there but the police have never arrested him,” said Javed. Instead, he claimed that the police provided him with protection and whoever raised a voice against Zahid got to spend a night behind bars.
Police DIG Operations Rai Tahir told Pakistan today that all Station Housing Officers (SHOs) had been ordered to crack down on gambling and drug dealing gangs operating in the city. He added that stern action would be taken against any official found involved these crimes and failing to comply with the orders.