KHAIRPUR, Feb 21: Twenty-one workers, including local leaders, of a defunct politico-religious party, Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, were booked on Friday on charges of fanning sectarian hatred.

The party was banned by the government soon after the Sept 11 incident.

The FIR in this regard was lodged by ASI Mehar Shah on behalf of the state at the A-section police station, against Ali Sher, Ghulam Shabbir, Aslam, Abdul Karim, Hafiz Tahir, Abdul Rasheed, Rajab Din, Mohammad Waris and others under Section 295-A PPC (deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings or beliefs).

The complainant stated that the SSP workers had instigated their workers to hurl stones against the members of their rival sect during a congregation at the Shams Mosque. However, no arrest was made till the filing of this report.

STRIKE: A shutter-down strike was observed by the people in Kumb town, Kot Diji Taluka, on Friday against the administration, particularly the police, for failing to control the law and order situation.

They blocked the National Highway and Kumb Nawabshah road for an hour.

They told newsmen that thefts, kidnappings, motorcycle-snatching incidents, etc., had become the order of the day, and added that the police did nothing about it.

However, on the assurance of local Nazims, the protesters ended their protest.

Opinion

Editorial

Iran stalemate
Updated 02 May, 2026

Iran stalemate

THE US and Iran are currently somewhere between war and peace. While a tenuous ceasefire — extended largely due to...
Tax shortfall
02 May, 2026

Tax shortfall

THE Rs684bn shortfall in tax collection during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is a continuation of a...
Teaching inclusion
02 May, 2026

Teaching inclusion

DISCRIMINATORY and exclusionary content in Punjab’s textbooks has been flagged in Inclusive Education for a United...
Water vision
01 May, 2026

Water vision

WATER insecurity in Pakistan has been building up for decades as per capita water availability has declined from...
Vaccine policy
01 May, 2026

Vaccine policy

PAKISTAN has finally approved its first National Vaccine Policy; a step the health ministry has rightly described as...
Labour rights
Updated 01 May, 2026

Labour rights

THE annual observance of May Day should move beyond statements about the state’s commitment to the rights of...