16 October 2004	Saturday	01 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Oct 15: Liaquatabad Town's Nazim Dr Pervaiz Mahmood was released late on Thursday after being detained for hours at the TPO office in North Nazimabad.

Mehmood had went to the office of the TPO to secure the release of some student activists of the Islami Jamiat Tulba, who were picked up by the police following a clash at the Jinnah College on Thursday.

However, the police detained the town nazim, saying they have been ordered to do so. n hearing about his detention, his supports and nazim's of other towns gathered outside the North Nazimabad police station, where the TPO office was situated.

After over six-hour-long detention, Dr Mehmood was finally released. North Nazimabad TPO Imran Ahmer said that he had received orders from higher authorities to detain Dr Mehmood.

Meanwhile, Dr Pervaiz Mehmood on Friday strongly condemned his illegal detention, alleging he was taken into custody on the directives of Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, adds PPI.

In a statement, terming his detention an act of harassment, he said that this was done because he had raised voice against terrorists. He claimed that restoration of peace in Karachi and development activities being undertaken by the city government were not acceptable to some elements, who were trying to hinder this process by resorting to unfair means.

Dr Mahmood vowed that he would continue to strive against violence, extortions, bribery and ethnic violence, despite cowardly tactics used by his opponents. He thanked different political parties, UC and town nazims, especially City Nazim Naimatullah Khan and journalists for raising voice for his release.