PESHAWAR: The city district government on Wednesday registered a case against PPP lawmaker Nighat Orakazai and her relatives for beating up an officer during an anti-encroachment drive in the city.

Riaz Awan, deputy director city district government, was leading the anti-encroachment campaign when he was attacked by Ms Orakazai and her relatives, an official, who was present on the occasion, said. The incident took place in Namak Mandi Chowk, the official said. When the team reached a shop reportedly owned by a relative of the MPA, she and his relatives beat Mr Awan up, injuring him.

The official said the case was registered in the Khan Raziq Shaheed police station.

The city district government, in its application, asked the SHO of the police station to register FIR against the MPA and her relatives. The lawmaker’s relatives include Bashirullah, a former police officer, and his wife, Mohammad Iqbal, Wakeel Khan and Zafar Shinwari who is president of the Namak Mandi shopkeepers association.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Peshawar District Nazim Mohammad Asim Khan expressed anguish over the beating up of the officer, saying those involved would be awarded punishment under the law.

He said the traders had agreed with the city government that they would vacate their shops willingly, but they did not. Now, the protest over razing of shops was beyond understanding, he added. He also ordered an inquiry into the matter.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2018