June 30, 2007	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 14, 1428

FAISALABAD, June 29: A clash between the members of the ruling and opposition parties of Jinnah Town left five people injured when the house was in session for budget approval on Friday.

Jinnah Town convener Sheikh Zulfiqar called the budget session at a local hotel instead of its own premises. During the course of discussion a member raised objections to the budget preparation and asked the finance officer to clarify the points.

As alleged, the delay by the officer irritated a town member, Irshad Anjum of the ruling party. He got infuriated and tried to hit town nazim Shahzad Malik with chair, but elderly member Hakim Sabir Javeed intervened.

Meanwhile, other members from both sides engaged in a scuffle as a result of which three members of the PML-N, Sabir Javeed, Khalid Javeed and Sajid Manzoor, and two members of the ruling party, Rana Khurram and Khalid Rehman, suffered multiple injuries. They were taken to hospital.

Jinnah Town is the only town in the district being governed by the town nazim associated with the PML-N.

A member told Dawn on the request of anonymity that it was a pre-planned move for which the ruling party members were fully prepared and among the assailants were some youngsters who had nothing to do with the town affairs.

The ruling party members denied the charge. No case was registered till filing of this report.