LAHORE, May 22: The Pakistan People’s Party thinks the PML-N and the army will have to be on the same page on the issue of dealing with the Taliban.

Shan Masih, a resident of Dawood Nagar, was passing through the Main Bazaar’s Street No 7 (Bilal Town) by his motorcycle when an explosion took place. Critically injured, Shan was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital where he died.

City Police Officer Raja Riffat Mukhtar told a press conference on Wednesday that the police had constituted different teams to ascertain the facts of the blast. He said during overnight raids the police arrested Sheraz of Dawood Nagar and Sohail Sarfraz of Warispura.

He said the arrested men revealed that three days ago they had talked to Qaiser, a priest of Bilal Town, and demanded Rs1 million ransom.

The suspects, he said, claimed themselves to be activists of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi. He said they also threatened Qasier with blowing up his house if he failed to pay ransom.

The three boys were carrying some explosive material to Qaiser’s house by two motorcycles when an explosion took place, claiming Shan’s life.

The CPO said the search operation was carried out at different places, which led to the arrest of Sheraz and Sohail.

The Batala Colony police first registered a case (463/13) against the suspects on charges of hurling threats at Qaiser under sections 25-D of Telegraph Act and 506 of the PPC. Second case (464/13) was registered under section 7 of ATA and 3/4 of Explosives Act.

THALASSAEMIA: One million children in Pakistan are suffering from thalassaemia, requiring efforts to raise awareness to take precautionary measures and promote culture for blood donation to help patients.

Government College University Faisalabad Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Zakir Hussain said this at a seminar on “Importance of Blood Donation and Establishment of Blood Donors Society of the GCUF.” The Directorate of Medical Sciences and the Directorate of Students Affairs arranged the seminar on Wednesday.

Dr Hussain said 450ml of blood could save three lives. Despite technological advancements, he said, there was no substitute for blood.

Dr Rafia said a donor must have good sleep, light meal and be mentally prepared. And the donor should be aged between 18 and 60 years.

Director Medical Sciences Prof Dr Riaz Hussain also spoke.