June 22, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 06, 1428

TAXILA, June 21: An 11-year-old boy who was abducted from Quaid-e-Azam street Nawababad in jurisdiction of Wah Cantonment Police station 28 days back was released after payment of Rs2.80 million.

According to details, Adil Mehmood, 11, son of Malik Sabir, was picked up when he was playing outside his home. After 16 days, the abductors contacted the boy’s father and demanded a sum of Rs8 million for his release.

However, after negotiations, the ransom money was fixed as Rs2.80 million. The money was handed over to the abductors near Peshawar and boy was released accordingly.

During the whole episode police was conspicuous by their absence.

RUSHDIE ISSUE: Member Punjab Assembly from Wah Cantt Prof Mohammad Waqas Khan on Thursday condemned Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II for knighting author Salman Rushdie, who is notorious for blasphemy against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and demanded of the UK government to take back the title.

Talking to newsmen here on Thursday Mr Khan said that it was pity that Senate and the National Assembly had expressed grief over the act, but did not condemn it.

He said government should strongly condemn it on diplomatic grounds to pressure the UK government to withdraw the decision. He termed it “a conspiracy to create a rift among civilizations.”

Commenting upon the budget, they said no relief had been provided to the poor.