SIALKOT: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-N was using the police to strengthen its position.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday afternoon, she said that Sardar police station had been converted into a hub of drug pushers and land mafias and the gangs were patronised by a leading political figure.

“Police are working as a political wing of the Pakistan Muslim League-N in Sialkot. Police have completely failed to maintain law and order in the district, as a result anti-social elements and criminals were flourishing,” she added.

Dr Firdous alleged the PML-N was using police and criminals for forcing people to change their political affiliations. “Police were reluctant to register an FIR against killers of Sameer Ahmad which indicated a failure of the police,” she added.

“It is high time we collectively work to purge police stations of touts and criminals for ensuring justice to people as police stations have become a major source of income for policemen and their touts,” she said.

The minister urged the Punjab chief minister to take notice of the murder of Sameer Ahmad and direct Sialkot police to register a case against the accused.

“The basic duty of police is to protect life and property of people and it is unfortunate that police are protecting and sheltering criminals and watching only interests of influential people in Sialkot,” she said.

Later, the minister along with hundreds of people marched on the DPO office in protest.

She directed the district police officer to register an FIR and arrest the accused involved in the murder of Sameer Ahmad. She assured relatives of Sameer that an all-out effort would be made for ensuring justice and early arrest of the accused.