LAHORE, March 6: The Crimes Investigation Agency police claim to have arrested an 18-year-old boy for making threatening calls and demanding Rs30 million ransom from an industrialist.

Chuhng resident Muhammad Khalid, who owns Hammad Industries, received telephonic threats of kidnap of his son from an unknown number.

The caller, who identified himself as Anwer Shah, said he was calling from Waziristan and knew all about his business and family. “You have a lot of money as your business is growing fast. You don't know me and I will see you,” the police quoted him as saying to Khalid.

He again phoned Khalid twice on Feb 11 and demanded Rs30m for his son's life. “We shall tell you in a couple of days who we are. You will be responsible for your son's life.”

Khalid alerted the police and got registered a case under 25-D Telegraph Act with the Chuhng police on Feb 11. The suspect's SIM was found switched off after three calls.

CIA SP Liaquat Ali Malik constituted a special police team which collected call data of the suspect. The police team led by Inspector Imran Yasin conducted raids in Haroonabad and Bahawalnagar and arrested Zaeem Zahid, son of Zahid Hussain, and confiscated his cell phone and SIM.

Zaeem, who had been an employee of Khalid for two and half months, confessed to committing the offence for getting money. He told the police that he had done so inspired by some movies.

He earlier claimed that he tried to get money because his sisters were unmarried and he was only getting Rs7,000 salary. However, his father Zahid Hussain told the police that he was able to meet domestic needs.

Khalid handed over Rs250,000 to the CCPO for distribution among the policemen as cash reward. Robberies:

Robbers took away cash and valuables worth Rs1.5 million from three houses in the city on Tuesday.

Three robbers barged in the house of Amjad in Musfata Town police precincts and looted cash and valuables worth Rs600,000.

Three robbers stormed the house of Abdul Latif in Sabzazar police area and took away cash and valuables worth Rs500,000.

Four robbers burst into the house of Nadeem in Shalimar police limits and looted cash and valuables worth Rs400,000.

Two robbers entered the spare parts shop of Babar in Green Town police precincts and looted Rs300,000 and a cell phone.

Two robbers stopped Zeshan in Hanjarwal police limits and deprived him of Rs18,000, a cell phone and his motorcycle. MURDER:

A 25-year-old man was shot dead by four people over an old enmity in Batapur on Tuesday.

Batapur police said Muhammad Rashid of Bhaseen village was irrigating his fields when four people came there and opened fire at him. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Police said Rashid group had killed two members of their rival group led by Ilyas in 2006.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...