BAHAWALPUR: The police on Wednesday night arrested PTI former district president and provincial assembly ticket-holder, Chaudhry Tahir Anwar, in a raid on his Vehari residence.

According to the PTI’s local leadership, a heavy contingent of police “illegally” entered the house of Mr Anwar, violating its sanctity, and harassed his family members, while making his arrest.

After his arrest, Mr Anwar was shifted to an unknown place, they say.

Vehari District Bar Association President Chaudhry Nawazish Gujjar and other office-bearers condemned the arrest and demanded the PTI leader’s release.

ARRESTED: The Baghdadul Jadid police claimed to have booked and arrested a police Razakar (volunteer) for allegedly abducting and torturing a former lady health worker (LHW) and extorting money from her, in 2023.

According to Bahawalpur police spokesperson, on a complaint by the victim,Ms Mehtab Kanwal, ex-LHW, and in the light of the findings of an inquiry, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Asad Sarfraz ordered registration of a case against the suspect, Abdullah.

The spokesperson says that though Ms Kanwal did not nominate any police official in the FIR, a Sub Inspector, Muhammad Virk, had been suspended from service and departmental action was initiated against him, for his involvement in the matter.

He says that Punjab IGP has also been moved for action against DSP Jamshed Ali, as the complainant alleged during the probe that he was also involved in her torture.

GANGS BUSTED: Police claim to have busted two gangs allegedly involved in snatching motorcycles, arresting eight suspects and recovering 18 bikes from them.

SP investigation Ghulam Mehdi told a press conference here on Thursday that police arrested eight suspects belonging to two gangs and recovered from their possession 18 snatched or stolen motorcycles.

He said 25 cases had been registered against the gangs’ eight members.

The police also handed over the recovered motorcycles to their owners at the press conference.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2024