February 06, 2008	Wednesday	Muharram 27, 1429

KHANEWAL, Feb 5: Pakistan People’s Party candidate for NA-156 Syed Fakhr Imam alleged his rival Pakistan Muslim League-Q candidate Barrister Raza Hayat Hiraj had arranged terrorists and extremists to sabotage the Feb 18 elections in the area.

“Certain terrorists and extremists have entered my constituency to sabotage the elections and panic voters at the behest of Hiraj,” states Mr Imam in a letter sent to the chief election commissioner (CEC), the Punjab CEC, the district returning officer, and the Kabirwala returning officer.

The letter says that a few months ago a large cache of weapons and ammunition were seized from Naveed Sindhu and others. Sindhu is related to Afzal Sindhu, former private secretary to then federal state minister Hiraj. The letter says an FIR, 352/2007, was registered with Qadirpur Rawan police station.

The FIR mentioned in the letter was registered under section 13(A) and 13(B) of Arms Ordinance 1965 on Dec 20. Police came to know some people from the Pathan clan would supply weapons from the tribal areas to Naveed Sindhu. On Dec 19, 2007, accused Qaswar Abbas and Umar Farooq, close associates to Naveed Sindhu, were present at Shan Petroleum Service (Qadirpur Rawan) to receive weapons from some people.

Two car riders arrived there and started handing over weapons to Qaswar and Farooq. Police raided the spot and held Qaswar, Umar, Khan Wali and Muhammad Amin. Hiraj was not available for comment.