BAHAWALPUR: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) claims to have arrested director of an online company allegedly involved in depriving hundreds of investors of their millions of rupees.

According to the FIA sources, the arrested suspect Shafaqat Ali had gone underground and the agency traced him “using modern technology”.

The sources said the suspect, in connivance with his accomplices, had established a network based on a fake online company – Parpal – in the country, including Bahawalpur division.

The sources said the suspects lured a large number of people into making investments in the fake company, by offering them high returns and later disappeared with the investors’ heard-earned money.

The affected people submitted complaints about the fraud to the FIA, NAB and the FBR.

FIA officials with the help of latest IT gadgets managed to trace company’s director Shafaqat Ali and arrested him.

On knowing about the arrest, scores of affected people thronged the FIA offices for the recovery of their money amounting to millions.

FIA officials said they would soon invite claims from the affected people to initiate the recovery process.

TANKER FIRE: A tanker loaded with 50,000 litres of oil on Wednesday caught fire after its tyre burst near Khanqah Sharif bypass, about 30km from here.

According to District Emergency Officer (DEO) Baqir Hussain, the oil tanker was on its way to Sheikhupura from Karachi, when its tyre burst near Khanqah Sharif bypass and the wheels caught fire.

According to Mr Hussain, on receipt of the information, three fire-engines, one ambulance and a rescue vehicle were dispatched to the scene.

Following the incident, he said, the road was blocked by the district police and National Highway and Motorway Police officials to avoid any further accident.

He said after hours-long struggle, the fire was brought under control and cooling process was initiated. No loss of life or injury was reported.

LIQUOR SEIZED: Lodhran district’s Qureshshiwala police officials claim to have recovered over 401 bottles of foreign liquor from a car, arresting three suspects involved in smuggling.

According to district police, Qureshiwala police recovered 401 bottles of liquor from the car of Javed, of Lahore. The police also impounded the car being used for smuggling the liquor and registered a case against the suspect.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2021