LAHORE – A friend of PML-N MPA Asad Ullah Arain was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the MPA’s room in Peoples House located in front of the Punjab Civil Secretariat in the Islampura police precincts on Monday afternoon. Police have yet to ascertain whether the gun was triggered accidentally or he had committed suicide. The police are also investigating murder possibilities, said a senior police officer adding that it was too early to ascertain the motive or cause of death. Recovery of unlicensed weapons from the crime scene has also questioned the loopholes in the security of Peoples House, where parliamentarians stay.
The deceased man was identified as Altaf Ullah, 60, son of Atta Ullah and resident of Sajjad Road, Vaneki Tarar, Hafizabad. Haris, Altaf’s son, said his father was a close friend of MPA Asad Ullah Arain. Haris confirmed that his father has been staying at Room No 8-B, possessed by Asad, at the first floor of Peoples House, for the last two weeks. Investigation Officer Saqib said that the deceased had demanded cigarettes from a servant of Peoples House at around 10:45 pm on Sunday after which he had no public contact. Though, none of the employees or guests at Peoples House confirmed hearing a gunshot. On Monday at around 2 pm, the administration of Peoples House received a call from MPA Asad and who directed staff to clean his room. Staff knocked the door several times but did not receive a response.
They informed Peoples House security. A Peoples House security guard Tariq knocked the door but received no response. Tariq broke the door open with assistance and found the man dead on one of the room’s beds. He said that the room had two single beds. He said the deceased was found in a position as if he was sitting on the bed with his feet on ground. He said it seemed the deceased was cleansing a 12-bore gun which triggered an accidental shot. The bullet hit his chin and cracked his jaw.
The gun was found in between his legs and its barrel was facing his face. Blood stains were found on one wall and the room’s roof. Valuables were found untouched. The crime scene implied an accidental trigger, however, other explanations cannot be ruled out. The deceased had an old enmity in Hafizabad and was facing a murder case. City Police Division SP (Operations) Dr Shahzad Asif said that the incident appeared a suicide but the possibility of an accidental death or murder were still being considered.
