GUJRAT: Police have booked a local businessman and PML-N leader, Haji Aurangzaib Butt, and 27 others for allegedly kidnapping two linemen of Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) as well as interference in official work.

Reports said the power connection of Aleena Shopping Mall of Mr Butt had been severed due to non-payment of Rs479,938 bill on Tuesday.

However, Aurangzaib along with Ishtiaq Butt, Hameed Malik and 25 unidentified accomplices reached the Gepco complaint office near Fawara Chowk and reportedly ransacked the office furniture after which he took along linemen Tariq and Naeem and asked them to restore the power connection of his plaza. Later on, the local Gepco officials reached the spot and rescued the officials.

Police have registered a case against 28 people under sections 365, 353, 440, 186, 147 and 149 of Pakistan Penal Code on the report of Gepco and started investigation. Talking to Dawn, Aurangzaib Butt termed the content of the case registered against him totally fabricated and accused the Gepco officials of using blackmailing tactics.

He said he had paid a hefty bill of Rs6.5 million even after his shopping mall was burnt at least three years ago. He said he had paid the bill recently against three electricity meters whereas the fourth one was ‘missing’ from the scene.

He said he had been granted bail before arrest in the case and vowed to point out ‘malpractices’ of the Gepco staff.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2022