February 28, 2006	Tuesday	Muharram 29, 1427

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FAISALABAD, Feb 27: After the kidnappings of two boys of their family heirs of a slain man are not ready to risk the third one. Rather, they have decided to pardon the convict to ward off the threat.

Convict Saqib Ali alias Saqi’s relatives had twice kidnapped boys from deceased Haji Riaz’s family to force it to pardon him (the convict) after a marathon legal battle and rejection of mercy petitions. The aggrieved family surrendered after the second boy was released a few days ago.

The counsel for the convict claimed on Monday before a local court that legal heirs were ready to record their statements to pardon Saqi after “an agreement” between the two parties.

The claim was made during a formal hearing of the case. The judge adjourned proceedings till March 9 and sought the appearance of all legal heirs before the court on next hearing.

Shahzad Ahmed and Muhammad Asim, sons of deceased Muhammad Haji Riaz Ahmed, reportedly presented their affidavits before the court that they were ready to pardon Saqib. But they said the task could not be accomplished due to some unknown reasons and the accused had adopted the way of kidnappings.

They said they had pardoned Saqi for the sake of God without claiming any amount for Dyat or Qisas. They would have no objection if the convict was released.

Sources close to the victim family said that all the four sons and daughters as well as widow of Haji Riaz would appear before court on March 9 to record their statements to pardon convict Saqi.

Unidentified men had abducted Zahid Saleem in January this year and forced his family to pardon Saqi, who was awarded capital punishment for killing Muhammad Riaz in 1989.

Zahid Saleem was freed on Friday night after assurance from the victim’s family to pardon the convict.

Asim Riaz, the son of deceased Muhammad Riaz, was also abducted in August 2005 for the same reason, but the police had recovered him in a week.

ARRESTED: Civil Lines police registered a case against five policemen for snatching two cell phones from a boy here on Monday.

Muhammad Bakht Yar was on his way back from the Jinnah Garden when he was intercepted by policemen at a picket near Chenab Club. The policemen, under threats, snatched cell phones from him and forced him to leave the spot. The matter was reported to police high-ups, who ordered immediate registration of the case.

However, no arrest has so far been made.