SARGODHA, Aug 20: The cantonment police arrested an African man from a hotel adjacent to the PAF airbase here on Thursday night. The foreigner, who identified himself as Karika Masama of Liberia, was produced before a senior civil judge later on.

He disclosed that due to the civil war in his country, he had migrated to Pakistan and was living at a camp in Islamabad. He said he had visited Sargodha to see a friend. The cantonment police disclosed that Mr Masama indeed had a UN permit for residing in Islamabad, which however had expired on Aug 8.

Even if it had been valid, Mr Masama would not have been entitled to visit Sargodha. The police said a case had been registered against Mr Masama in this connection. The police said the home secretary had been informed in Lahore and a clarification sought from the UN office in Islamabad with regard to the expired certificate and Mr Masama's escape from Islamabad. Mr Masama also had in his possession a driving licence issued from Nigeria, the police added.

It would not be out of place to mention here that a week ago a suspected terrorist, reportedly a citizen of Egypt, was arrested here and taken to Lahore for investigation. A few months ago some suspected terrorists with bullet injuries were treated in a local hospital. The hospital owner, son of a government employee, was taken into custody and the entire family interrogated.

QARI NOOR's DEATH: The death of Qari Noor Muhammad in custody has left religious scholars perturbed. People want to withdraw their children from madaris while philanthropists are reluctant to provide monetary assistance to religious educational institutions.