24 February 2004	Tuesday	03 Muharram 1425

LAHORE, Feb 23: Police claimed on Monday to have arrested a step-brother of Punjab Tourism Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal along with seven other accused on gambling charges in Samanabad.

Samanabad police claimed they followed a tip-off and raided a gambling den in New Mozang. They said they apprehended eight alleged gamblers and seized around Rs11,000 stake money.

One of the arrested accused was, later, identified as Mian Aashiq, a step-brother of the minister, the police said and added a case was registered against the accused. Further investigation is under way.

The minister was not available for comments. However, his PRO Javed Younus, when contacted, said that he was not aware of the facts. "I have been called to the office. I am on way. I will be able to say something later on." He never responded afterwards.

Quoting the minister, his Personal Staff Officer (PSO) Fawwad Ahmad said that the arrested man had nothing to do with his family as he had been disowned years back.

"Anybody found to be involved in any illegal activity should be dealt with according to law." Instead, he added, it should be appreciated that nobody on his (minister's) behalf pursued the arrest, nor attempted to get him released.