RAHIM YAR KHAN: Police have alleged that Pir of Bharchundi Sharif, Ghotki, provides shelter to dacoits, notorious criminals and proclaimed offenders.

In a press release issued by the DPO office on Sunday, Sadiqabad Deputy Superintendent Police Syed Ali Raza Shah said the farmhouse of Pir Mian Mitha of Bharchundi Sharif was a safe haven for criminals of Rahim Yar Khan and Ghotki in the Katcha area on the border of these districts, out of the jurisdiction of Punjab police.

He said Mian Mitha and his son Mian Rafique always confronted police officers who took action against the criminals.

They were earning money millions of rupees from thousands of people, posing as faith healers besides being involved in forced conversions of Hindus, he said.

District Police Officer Sohail Zafar Chatha alleged Mian Mitha was also involved in forced marriages and conversions of Hindu girls.

The spokesperson for Mian Mitha said the Pir was a political figure and he had been elected as MNA twice.

He said it seemed some police officials had been given the task of political victimisation of Mian Mitha because he was planning to join the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf after differences with the PPP.

He further said Mian Mitha had managed the posting of SSP Pir Muhammad Shah in Ghotki who killed more than 18 dacoits in first Katcha operation with the cooperation of Mian Mitha and all the allegations regarding shelter to criminals were baseless.

The spokesperson clarified that Mian Mitha had his residence near Daharki bypass and he had no farmhouse in Katcha area.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2015

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