Student gunned down

CHAKWAL, May 6: A student was gunned down and his friend injured on Friday in a clash with a rival group, police and eyewitnesses said.

Basit Raza, a resident of Eid Gah, was a student of Government Post Graduate College, Chakwal, and a leader of Muslim Students Federation (MSF).

Eyewitnesses said the clash between the students broke out near Muddasir Plaza on Jhelum Road. They said during the clash in which iron rods and clubs were used, two young men came on a motorbike and opened fire. As a bullet hit Basit, the students of rival group escaped. Basit was rushed to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Yasir, friend of Basit who was injured in the clash, named the alleged assassins as Zahid and Rifaqat. Police have registered a case against them. — A Correspondent

PPP rally

RAWALPINDI, May 6: The Punjab chapter of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Friday brought out a rally in support of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reference case.

Addressing hundreds of PPP workers, the party’s Punjab president Imtiaz Safdar Warraich requested the Supreme Court to soon announce verdict in the case and correct the historical wrong. Besides many party leaders, the gathering was addressed by MNA Mahmood Hayat Khan, central executive committee (CEC) members Qazi Sultan Mehmood, Dr Fakharuddin Chaudhry and city president Amir Fida Paracha.— Our Reporter

JI protests operation

RAWALPINDI, May 6: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Friday staged a protest against violation of the territorial integrity of Pakistan by the American forces.

More than 100 protesters led by JI Rawalpindi Amir Sajjad Abbasi, Shamsur Rehman Swati and Malik Azam gathered outside Liaquat Bagh.

The protesters were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the US forces and Pakistani authorities.

They also chanted slogans against the government, and blocked the road for half an hour. Traffic remained suspended on Benazir Bhutto Road creating problems for the commuters.

Addressing the protesters, the speakers said it was impossible that Osama bin Laden continued to stay in hiding in such a highly-sensitive area. They said the US forces challenged the sovereignty of Pakistan and their operation had raised many questions about the defence of the country. — A Reporter

Motorbikes stolen

ATTOCK, May 6: Two motorbikes were lifted by some unknown outlaws from outside a mosque in People’s Colony on Friday.

Police said that Amir Awan and a prayer leader Maulana Bashir parked their motorcycles (AKK-3993) and (RIL-756) outside Masjid-e-Aysha in People’s Colony before the Friday prayer. When they returned after offering the prayer, they found the bikes missing. On information, the city police registered the case and started investigation. — Correspondent