RAHIM YAR KHAN: In blatant violation of a ban on ‘sports’ involving animal cruelty, a dog fight event was held on Wednesday near Chak 217-P, Tillo Goth area of Sadiqabad tehsil, some 70km from here.

According to sources, some influential people led by Amjad Machhi, having connections with a police officer posted at Sadiqabad, arranged the dog fight “festival”.

The event was attended by hundreds of visitors, including dog owners from different areas of Punjab and Sindh, the sources said. They said the area where the event was held fell in ‘6 Wali’ police check post.

Police were informed about the event but took no action against the organisers, they added.

The sources said the main attraction at the event was betting as heavy bets were placed on canine contests. They said the event was being held for the last many years at the same location in violation of a ban imposed by the Punjab government on such ‘sports’.

Sadiqabad DSP Mahar Saqib Nasir did not attend the calls made by this correspondent for knowing his stance.

However, district police Public Relations Officer Zeeshan Randhawa claimed that the place where the event was held did not fall in Punjab police jurisdiction.

DSP Mahar Nasir Saqib said that he was in Bahawalpur on Wednesday. He said the Kot Sabzal SHO Ijaz and special branch had also confirmed that the location of the of dog fight was in Sindh.

He said the Punjab police could not interfere in the other area. He did not comment when asked about organizer Amjad Machi.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2018