SAHIWAL: The Saddar police arrested three imposters posing as police officers who were extorting truck drivers near village 39/12-L on Sahiwal Ring Road late on Tuesday.

Suspects, identified as Sher Ahmed (posing as ASI), Gulfam (reader) and Qasir (constable), were booked under PPC sections 170, 171, 420, and 382 following a complaint by ASI Shamasul Hasan.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fake cops stopped a cement-laden truck and demanded a Rs5,000 cash fine along with 1,400 cement bag receipts from the driver, Qamar Masood. The receipts were addressed to Khushab Khan of Awan Carriage Contractors, who objected to their seizure.

Local villagers intervened and alerted the authorities via the 15 Police emergency helpline. Saddar police arrested the suspects in police uniforms and took them into custody.

ROBBERY: Three unidentified armed robbers looted a grocery store in Kameer Town in broad daylight and fled with Rs300,000. They also robbed a customer of Rs10,000 during the heist.

The Kameer SHO arrived at the scene and has launched an investigation into the incident.

MC: The Municipal Corporation sealed over 75 shops and removed illegal encroachments, including push carts, in Pakpattan Bazar, Sadar Bazar, and Church Road.

Corporation officials stated that notices had been issued to shop owners, but noncompliance led to the sealing of shops and removal of encroachments. Plans were also announced to demolish shops that were illegally constructed or extended onto roads.

Meanwhile, PML-N MPA Malik Arshad met with Commissioner Shoaib Iqbal alongside a delegation from Anjuman Tajrain. He urged the authorities to provide shop owners with a time frame to voluntarily remove illegal extensions rather than demolish the shops outright.

Reports said a consensus has been reached, and an extended deadline will be granted by the commissioner’s office.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2025