August 04, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 1 429

ATTOCK, Aug 3: The police have arrested six officials, including five policemen, deployed at a checkpoint for their involvement in wheat flour smuggling, sources said on Sunday.

District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Wisal Sultan Raja had ordered an inquiry against the staff of Jarikus food check post on Hazara Road last week, and the investigation carried out by DSP Mirza Jameel Baig found the six officials guilty of overlooking and aiding elements involved in flour smuggling.

Those arrested after registration of a case are Sameer Mushtaq, Gul Faraz, Ghulam Mustafa and Mumtaz from the Punjab Highway Patrol; Imran from the Elite Force; and a food department official, Nasir Mehmood.

FINE IMPOSED: Deputy District Officer Revenue (DDOR) Nisar Ahmed Khan, who also has the powers of the special price magistrate, imposed a fine of Rs30,500 on eight shopkeepers and ordered registration of a case against a wheat flour dealer on the charges of profiteering.

The DDOR said he along with police and revenue officials conducted raids in the different areas of Attock tehsil, including Attock City, Kamra and Gondal, and found nine shopkeepers involved in profiteering.

Mr Khan said Rs1,500 fine was imposed on a fruit seller, Faiz Mohammad, at Darus Salam Colony in Attock City, adding that Rs17,000 fine was imposed on three others shopkeepers – Ishtiaq, Ghulam Ali and Khan Malik – of Kamra Market for selling wheat flour at inflated rates.A case was also registered by the Attock City police against a local wholesale dealer of wheat flour for selling the commodity on higher prices.

Separately, four shopkeepers – Murad Ali, Mohammad Fazal, Mohammad Shoaib and Amir Shehzad – were also fined Rs3,000 each, he maintained.

Mr Khan warned the shopkeepers, particularly flour sellers/dealers, against profiteering and said the activity would not be tolerated at any cost.