MULTAN, June 4: A poor man whose house had been acquired by the National Highway Authority for building a flyover several years ago reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the same flyover on Monday because no compensation was paid to him.

The Qadhafi flyover at Chowk Kumharanwala was built under the prime minister’s development package for Multan. The NHA was supposed to pay compensation for land acquired for the project.

The family of Mohammad Amjad, 30, alleged that the officials concerned had been delaying the payment because they wanted bribe. They said Mr Amjad was disheartened and angered when he was asked to pay a bribe of Rs1.5 million to get the compensation.

His body was taken to Nishtar Hospital for post-mortem and later handed over to his family.NHA Director Public Relations Arshad Munir told Dawn that Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan had ordered an inquiry and said that anyone found guilty would be severely dealt with.

APP adds: According to Rescue 1122, the deceased was demanding payment of compensation because his eight marla land had been acquired for the flyover.

His relatives said he was disturbed by a Patwari whose agents were demanding Rs1.5 million bribe from him.

Commissioner Khurram Ali Agha has ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said strict action would be taken if anybody was found guilty. The deceased was father of three children.