March 16, 2003	Sunday	Muharram 12, 1424

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SIALKOT, March 15: Unidentified people fired at the residence of Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javaid at Tarkhana village of Shakargarh tehsil in Narowal district, around 9pm on Friday.

According to official sources, the minister was home along with his father, Shakargarh Tehsil Nazim Dr Naimat Ali and other family members, when the incident occurred. The firing continued for several minutes and damaged the outer walls of the house. The culprits later fled away firing in the air.

The sources said nobody was hurt.

However, it could not be confirmed if it was a terrorist act. The reason for the attack could not be ascertained either.

The Shakargarh police and intelligence agencies are investigating the case.

Official sources added that Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool, Chief Minister Pervez Elahi, federal Minister for Health Naseer Ahmad Khan, National Reconstruction Bureau chairman Daniyal Aziz and National Assembly Speaker Ameer Hussain had expressed their grave concern over the incident.

The chief minister has ordered a high-level probe in this regard.

The health minister and his Tehsil Nazim-father and the Narowal district government condemned the incident.