OKARA: The police rescued a kidnapped person and arrested the kidnappers who were demanding ransom from his parents.

According to the first information report (FIR), Muhammad Asim received a call from his son Talha Khan that he had been kidnapped and the kidnappers demanded a ransom of Rs1 million for his release, threatening dire consequences otherwise.

The caller’s number was later contacted by witnesses involved in the FIR, who attempted to negotiate the ransom amount. The call was recorded and subsequently reported to the local police.

A special police team tracked the location of the caller maintaining contact with the suspect(s). After a few hours, the police pinpointed the exact spot where Talha was being held captive — inside a house in the City Christian Colony near DHQ City Hospital.

The police raided the house resulting in the arrest of the abductors and the safe recovery of Talha.

The City A Division Police registered a case against Washal Masih and Jhara Masih under Section 365A of the Pakistan Penal Code.

According to the police, Jhara is a drug peddler who has previously been arrested multiple times and is currently facing 17 drug peddling cases registered at the City A Division Police Station.

HIDES: The district administration has implemented a requirement for obtaining prior permission to collect sacrificial animal hides across the district.

According to an official announcement, all welfare organisations, non-government organisations, hides and animal skin traders, as well as other institutions, are obligated to submit applications to the deputy commissioner’s office by the 19th of this month.

Any individuals, traders, NGOs, or institutions found collecting hides without permission will be subject to legal action accordingly.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2023