Clarification

ISLAMABAD, July 18: Joint Secretary of Inter Provincial Coordination Ghayoor Sultana has denied neither she nor her sister Zumrud Ishrat, also a joint secretary, influenced the police to register a kidnapping case against some persons.

Commenting on the Crime Diary published in Dawn on July 11, she said it was a one sided story which did not ascertain the facts of the case. “It is quite evident that my name and official address and my sister’s name have been deliberately highlighted.”

She claimed that an attempt had been made to kidnap her children on the night of 21-22 May. “I had to seek protection from police and judiciary.” The case is sub judice, she added. — Staff Reporter

Two killed in Talagang

CHAKWAL, July 18: Two persons were killed and two women were injured in two incidents in Talagang, police said on Monday.

Mohammed Tariq was axed to death while his daughter was injured seriously when Mohammad Akram and Mohammad Altaf attacked him with axes over a land dispute. As her daughter Samina Tariq rushed to rescue her father the assailants also attacked her.

A man was killed and his wife injured in a traffic accident.

Abid Hussain told Lawa Police that he along with his parents was going to his native town in a car when a passengers van (BSA 786) hit the car near Fauji Foundation Hospital in Danda Shah Bilawal village. — Correspondent

Doctors strike

ISLAMABAD, July 18: Young Doctors Association (YDA) Islamabad chapter has announced to observe indefinite strike from Tuesday after their demands for pay raise, service structure and regularisation were not fulfilled.

YDA Islamabad chapter President Dr Sajid Abbasi told APP that the doctors made this decision after holding talks with the executive director, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), on Monday.

He said doctors will only perform their duties in emergency ward of Pims, while other services will remain closed including out-patients departments (OPDs), operation theatres and other departments from Tuesday.

Dr Abbasi said the authorities concerned had issued a career structure of health personnel (CSHP) notification and promised to implement it from July 1 for those serving in government institutions and related organisations functioning under the federal government. He said it failed to do so due to which the young doctors have decided to go on strike in favour of their demands. — APP

Imposter arrested

TAXILA, July 18: Hassanabdal police on Monday caught three persons extorting money from the drivers of public transporters posing themselves as officials of Excise and taxation department.

Acting on transporters complaints that three men wearing official uniform and hiring private car (Karachi-W- 4393) were extorting money from the drivers on different pretexts police arrested Mohammad Khursheed, Mohammad Zareen and Altaf Shah from Jhang Bhattar road.  — Correspondent

Journalist granted bail

CHAKWAL, July 18: A local journalist who was arrested on charges of possessing 1,040 grams hashish was finally awarded bail on Monday by the district sessions judge.

According to the counsel and family members of the journalist, Mohammad Tofail, he was allegedly involved in a false case and after a lot of public and political pressure the DPO appointed DSP Malik Allahyar to conduct an inquiry into the case and the DSP has submitted his findings in a report to the DPO. But the inquiry report was not presented before Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Asghar on Monday.

“I have submitted the report to the DPO on Saturday (July 16),” DSP Malik Allah Yar told Dawn. Sharing only the crux of the report the DSP said, “In my inquiry report I have declared Mohammad Tofail innocent.” But when DPO Syed Ali Mohsin was asked about the findings of the report he said that he did not receive the report as yet. — Correspondent

Three clerics booked

CHAKWAL, July 18: Three clerics were booked on the charge of issuing incendiary speeches, police said on Monday.

Maulana Mumtaz Hussain Sadiqui, Maulana Mohammad Umar Farooq Taonsvi and Maulana Abdul Sattar Taonsvi were accused of misusing the loudspeakers in a religious gathering at a mosque in Umarabad locality of Chakwal city.  — Correspondent

4 held for selling firecrackers

CHAKWAL, July 18: Four persons were arrested here on Sunday night on the charges of selling firecrackers on the occasion of Shab-i-Baraat. Police said that Ameenullah Khan was arrested from Chappar Bazaar while Muntazir Mehdi, Zaheer Abbas and Abdul Sattar from Dhudial. Police also seized firecrackers. —Correspondent

Sheesha smoking

ISLAMABAD, July 18: Trend of sheesha smoking among the youth is on the rise in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and this is posing serious health hazards.

Everyday new Sheesha cafes are opening in the twin cities.

Citizens have demanded of the government to impose a ban on import of all ingredients being used in making Sheesha. — APP