BAHAWALPUR: Multan police arrested 10 suspects, including the panchayat chief, for shaving off moustaches, head and eyebrows of a man and putting straps in the necks of two persons before rounding them off while announcing verdict in a murder case.

The incident happened in Yaqoob Town of Mumtazabad Police Station.

Police swung into action after the video went viral on social media and Multan CPO Sadiq Ali Dogar took notice of it. They arrested 10 suspects, including panchayat chief Barkat Ali, while 10 more suspects were yet to be arrested.

According to police sources, Barkat issued the order for shaving off the head, moustaches and eyebrows of Sabir and putting straps around the necks of Nadir and Ishaq before taking them around the area to humiliate them.

It is learnt that one Shehbaz was allegedly killed during rival groups’ firing over the children’s quarrel last September. In his murder, Waqas, Ishaq, Asghar, Sabir, Nadir, Umar etc were nominated as the killers. Some days back, a panchayat was formed for a compromise between the families of the suspects and victims. After the decision in the meeting, led by Barkat Ali, the suspects, identified as Rehmat Ali, Shafqat, Shaukat, Basharat, Rafaqat, Saif, Owais Shafqat, Asif Bashir, Salim Yousaf, Allah Ditta, Waseem Abbas, Ghulam Hussain and others allegedly humiliated Sabir, Nadir and Ishaq.

The suspects also recorded the video of the incident, which was also posted on social media. This swung the police officials into action against the accused.

Police claimed to have arrested ten while as many including panchayat chief were yet to be arrested, about whom CPO Multan was quoted to have issued strict orders. NAWAB OF BAHAWALPUR: Homage was paid to the late Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V with gatherings held under the auspices of several literary, educational and social bodies to observe his 59th death anniversary here on Saturday.

The divisional administrator organised the main event at the Abbasi family’s royal graveyard at Derawar Fort in Cholistan, about 70km from the city.

Punjab Irrigation Minister Mian Kazim Hussain Pirzada, Bahawalpur Divisional Commissioner Ms Musarrat Jabean, Deputy Commissioner Dr Farhan Farooq, a large number of government officials and members of the Abbasi family along with Cholistani residents and notables participated in the event.

A police contingent presented a guard of honour to the Nawabs and paid rich tributes to the late Nawab Sadiq Abbasi for his meritorious services.

Speakers from different walks of life recounted the late Nawab’s services, particularly for the cause of Pakistan, promotion of education and introduction of Islamic values in the defunct Bahawalpur State.

A local holiday was observed in the district to mark the occasion.

The Nawab, during the annexation of his state with Pakistan, is known to have given huge funds and other valuables to Pakistan’s founder Quaid-i-Azam to meet the newly-created state’s expenditures.

Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran eulogised the Nawab’s services at an exhibition of his belongings and photographs at the Bahawalpur Museum.

Museum Director Zubair Rabbani, staff members along with a large number of notables paid tributes to the late Nawab.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2025