FAISALABAD, March 24: The Kotwali police on Sunday night registered a case against unidentified people for kidnapping and torturing Rana Sanaullah Khan, deputy opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly.

According to police sources, Kotwali SHO took action on a news item published in a local newspaper. However, he registered the case against unidentified men despite the fact that the victim had already lodged a complaint against the personnel of an intelligence agency.

The Lahore High Court Bar Association had constituted a committee to probe into the matter and to approach appropriate forums for the registration of case against the kidnappers.

Mr Sanaullah had lodged a complaint with the district police officer on March 11.

According to him, at 8:30pm on March 8, about a dozen gunmen, including some wearing police uniforms, intercepted his car on the Circular Road and kidnapped him. They were under the command of a major of the ISI. His driver, Majeed, secretary Tariq and a number of passers-by witnessed the incident. He was taken to the ISI office near the Faisalabad PIA office where they tortured him. They also shaved his head off.

Procession: Hundreds of religious parties’ and PML-N activists and people belonging to different walks of life took out a protest procession against the US invasion of Iraq here on Monday.

The procession was led by Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan chief MNA Sahibzada Fazal Karim.

It was taken out from Jhang Bazaar and its participants marched on different city roads. The protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with anti-US slogans. They were raising slogans against the US and in favour of Iraqi people.

Speaking to the protesters at Clock Tower intersection, their leaders condemned the US-led invasion of Iraq and termed it an open violation of the UN charter. They called secretary-general Kofi Annan an American puppet.

The speakers urged President Gen Musharraf to hold an all-parties conference on the Iraq crisis and issue a joint statement.