06 February 2005	Sunday	26 Zilhaj 1425

SHEIKHUPURA, Feb 5: Heated debate on alarmingly poor law and order situation between a PML-N MPA and the district Nazim at a wedding ceremony turned the event into a venue for "political blame-game."

A number of politicians and district government officials, including the Nazim, besides other elite of Sheikhupura, attended the marriage of Khanpur Union Council Nazim Malik Rehmat Ali Dogar's daughter.

During the course of discussion, PML-N MPA Afzal Sultan Dogar blamed District Nazim Chaudhry Tawakalullah Virk for lawlessness. He said dacoities, highway robberies, kidnap for ransom, gang-rape and other incidents of heinous crime had become a routine here, as gangsters had been given a free hand by the police.

The MPA also cited an incident in which about 20 gangsters broke into the house of his son-in-law and took away valuables after torturing the inmates.

Responding to the assertions, the Nazim claimed that "we have virtually no powers to call a DPO for explanation. We have all the powers only on paper."

He, however, preferred to escape aversion and leave the place.