15 January 2004	Thursday	22 Ziqa'ad 1424

RAWALPINDI, Jan 14: Inspector-general of police (IGP) Syed Masood Ahmed Shah said here on Wednesday that the Punjab police had nothing to do with the missing of sports and culture minister Naeemullah Shahani as the incident had occurred in the NWFP.

The IGP said this in reply to a question after distributing cheques among the widows of four police officials who were killed in the suicide attacks on President Gen Pervez Musharraf on December 25 in Rawalpindi.

A cheque for Rs300,000 was given to each of the heirs of the four victims in a ceremony held at the police lines. To another question about investigation into the suicide attacks on the president, Mr Shah said, "It is better for me not to comment on this issue because it would affect the investigation."

The IGP assured the widows of the police officials that in line with Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi's directives new houses would be provided to them within the next few weeks. Besides, the education expenses of the children of the deceased police officials and their salary (till their retirement dates) would be borne by the government.