Gilani’s stance lauded

ISLAMABAD, March 17: Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar lauded Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for taking ‘a bold stance’ on president’s immunity and said the party stood behind him on the issue.

Referring to prime minister’s remarks he made in his speeches during his visits to Bahawalpur and Vehari, the defence minister in a statement on Saturday said Mr Gilani had represented the views of the party.

Maintaining his defiant stance on the issue of writing a letter to the Swiss authorities to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, prime minister had openly stated he would go to prison rather than write the letter as directed by the Supreme Court.

The minister said party’s stance was based on principles and prime minister had actually narrated “the true legal position” on the issue of the president’s immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution.

He said the cases against President Zardari were nothing but “political harassment” and their re-opening would amount to continuing the policy of victimisation. The prime minister, he said, had spoken on behalf of the party as well as the federal cabinet. — Staff Reporter

Highwaymen injure constable

ISLAMABAD, March 17: A police constable was shot and injured during a robbery in capital’s rural area, police said on Saturday.

The police said Mohammad Safir, stationed with SSG police and performing duty at Diplomatic Enclave, was returning home with his family from a hospital. When he reached Chara Mori in Nilore, he found the road blocked with stones. He applied brakes and took a U-turn.

In the meantime, some persons armed with weapons chased him and started firing at the vehicle to stop him. As a result, one of the bullets hit him on his shoulder. However, he succeeded to flee from the scene.

The injured was shifted to hospital where he was given first aid. According to police the attackers were highwaymen looting people by blocking the road. — Staff Reporter

Five shops, restaurants sealed

RAWALPINDI, March 17: Rawal Town Municipal Administration (RTMA) on Saturday sealed five shops and three roadside restaurants at Pirwadhai General Bus Stand for illegal construction on their premises.

RTMA spokesman Tahir Mehmood Khan told Dawn that the town administrator received complaints that the shopkeepers and restaurant owners had illegally divided their shops and restaurants in two parts and rented out the RTMA property.

He said the administrator formed a team under the supervision of Town Officer Shahzad Gohar and sealed five shops and three restaurants.

He said the team gave warning to other tenants of 800 shops, two filling stations and four hotels at the bus stand to avoid such activities otherwise the RTMA would cancel the lease agreement without giving any notice. — A Reporter

57 outlaws nabbed

ISLAMABAD, March 17: Capital police arrested 57 outlaws involved in street crimes during current year and recovered mobiles and cash from their possession, a police spokesman said Saturday.

He said a campaign was launched against the street criminals on the direction of high-ups by station house officers (SHOs) of different police stations in their respective areas.

During campaign, capital police obtained record of these persons who had involved in street crimes and arrested them for their illegal activities.

City Circle Police arrested 15 persons and recovered 15 mobiles while Saddar Circle police arrested 22 persons and recovered 21 mobiles and cash.

Similarly, Rural Circle nabbed nine persons and recovered five snatched mobiles and cash and Industrial Area Circle police arrested 11 persons and recovered 18 mobiles and cash from them. — Staff Reporter

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