May 4, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 5, 1427

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FAISALABAD, May 3: Scores of residents of Allama Iqbal Colony staged a demonstration, blocked traffic and tried to stop motorcade of the chief minister in protest against the ‘custodial killing’ of a youth here on Wednesday.

The protesters marched along various city roads by carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against local police. They alleged that D-Type Colony police tortured to death Pervaiz Akhtar and hanged his body in the graveyard, portraying suicide.

They alleged that police was in league with the opponents of Pervaiz Akhtar. The protesters also tried to stop the motorcade of the chief minister on Zila Council Road but a large police contingent foiled their move.

Senior police officials after the receipt of information about the sit-in and demonstration rushed to the spot and assured the protesters that the accused policemen and other persons would be taken to task.

On this assurance, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

EXECUTION: A convict in a murder case will be executed in the local district jail here on Thursday (today).

Reports said Saqib alias Saqi had murdered his rival and municipal councillor, Haji Muhammad Riaz, in 1988. He was awarded death sentence by a local sessions court which was upheld by the Lahore High Court Lahore and the Supreme Court. The president had also rejected his mercy appeal.

The case took a turn in December 2005 when some gangsters kidnapped Asim Ali, son of deceased Riaz, and forced the victim family for reconciliation otherwise Asim would be gunned down. The local police after hectic efforts succeeded in recovering Asim but failed to arrest any of the culprits.

Faisalabad sessions judge a couple of months ago had issued death warrants for Saqi but his friends and relatives allegedly kidnapped Zaid Saleem, nephew of Riaz and again forced the victim family to pardon the convicted person. Police and some local politicians intervened into the matter and finally got Zaid recovered after assurance of ‘pardon deal.’ However, the victim family ‘disappeared’ a month ago and the court had again issued death warrants for Saqi and fixed May 4 date for his execution.