LAHORE, Jan 26: The Punjab Institute of Cardiology and Drug Testing Laboratory of the provincial government have `refused’ to hand over any record related to deaths of over 100 cardiac patients to the Federal Investigation Agency.

“The PIC and DTL have straightaway refused to cooperate with the FIA over such a sensitive issue showing that some elements in the Punjab government are protecting the suspects,” a senior FIA official told Dawn.

He further said: “In response to these institutes we have again written to them to provide the purchase record of the suspected drugs otherwise the FIA will move to the court under section 175 of the CrPC.”

Another FIA official said it was unfortunate that the Punjab government was creating hurdles in the investigation of the agency.

“Instead of facilitating the agency there are elements in the provincial government that are of the view that it (Punjab government) will have to face embarrassment because of FIA’s investigation,” he said, adding that there had been no issue if the Punjab government joined hands with it for a joint probe.

Despite repeated attempts, Punjab government spokesman Khwaja Salman Rafiq did not attend his cell phone.