SAHIWAL: Pakpattan police arrested a landlord and two others for torturing a farm worker to death at village Chak Bheela the other day.

Zahid Iqbal, a worker at the farm of Sarfaraz Manika, was allegedly subjected to severe torture by Manika, his son Allah Nawaz and guard Ashfaq, leading to his death.

DPO Tariq Wallayat said a murder case had been registered against the suspects with the Saddar Police Station on the complaint of Zahid’s brother Tufail.

The medical examination of Zahid’s body corroborated the torture inflicted upon him, confirming that his death was a result of the injuries sustained during his ordeal.

After registration of the case, police arrested Sarfaraz, his guard Ashfaq and one Ali Ahmed.

They seized two Kalashnikovs, a pistol, a gun, and several bullets from Manika’s outhouse. They also recovered Zahid’s wife Ayesha Bibi, who was locked in a room on the farm. Sarfaraz’ son Nawaz is still at large.

According to police investigations, Zahid was employed as a farm worker by Manika. However, due to mistreatment and non-payment of wages for the past three months, he quit work on Friday. Manika considered it as his insult.

The next day, Sarfaraz, accompanied by his son Nawaz and gunman Ashfaq, captured Zahid, brought him back and detained him at their residence. Nawaz and Ashfaq took hold of Zahid from his arms and legs while Sarfaraz beat him with bamboo sticks.

The suspects tied the poor man with a tree with chains and tortured him throughout the night.

ppla: The Punjab Professor and Lecturer Association has opposed the recently proposed public-private partnership of public education.

The association urged the provincial government to engage in consultative processes with key stakeholders before finalising any policies concerning the college teaching community.

These sentiments were expressed during an oath-taking ceremony for 150 provincial and divisional representatives of the PPLA held in Lahore the other day.

PPLA President Faiza Raana highlighted numerous challenges faced by the college community.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2024