Two killed in road accident

ISLAMABAD, May 4: Two persons were killed in separate road accidents in capital on Friday, police said.

Abdul Hamed Shahid, a journalist hailing from Jhang, was killed when a speeding vehicle hit him while he was standing on the road in Iqbal Town. He went there to meet a Federal Investigation Agency officer. He suffered multiple injuries and was shifted to hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

In another accident, a man was killed and his maternal uncle suffered injuries when a car hit them in Golra.

The police said a group of labourers, working at brick kiln in Tarnol, was returning to their home on foot. On the way  a car hit them on G.T. Road. Mohammad Qasim, 23 a native of Bahawalpur and his uncle Ayub Bux were injured.

Later, the injured were shifted to hospital where Qasim died of his injuries, while Bux was stated to be in critical condition. — Staff Reporter

Allowance sought

ISLAMABAD, May 4: Justice Rauf Ahmed Sheikh of the Lahore High Court (LHC), Rawalpindi bench, on Friday issued notices to the officials of the Punjab government in a petition seeking 30 per cent allowance in the salaries of doctors and paramedical staff of a sanatorium hospital.

In his separate notices, the judge asked the Punjab secretaries health and local government, and district coordination officer of Rawalpindi to submit their reply within a week.

The counsel for the staff of Samli TB Sanatorium Hospital, Murree, adopted before the court that his clients had been denied the allowance introduced by the Punjab government in 2007, although medical and paramedical staff of rural health centres were enjoying the benefit.—A Reporter

11 butchers, two milkmen held

RAWALPINDI, May 4: As many as 11 butchers and two milkmen were arrested for overcharging on Friday.

District Price Control Magistrate Imtiaz Ahmed Khan Khichi paid a surprise visit to different markets in the precincts of two police stations, New Town and Banni.

The price control magistrate found two milkmen selling curd at Rs70 per kg against the official price of Rs50 per kg. He lodged an FIR against them with Banni police station.

He also found five butchers selling mutton at Rs550 per kg against the official price of Rs390 per kg and six butchers selling beef at Rs300 against the official price of Rs220 per kg. He lodged an FIR against 11 butchers at New Town Police Station. — A Reporter

Firefighters remembered

RAWALPINDI, May 4: The firefighters and Rescue 1122 staff held a mock exercise on Friday to commemorate their 13 colleagues who laid down their lives in the line of duty during Ghakar Plaza tragedy on December 20, 2008.

On the occasion, Rawalpindi Rescue 1122 and fire staff demonstrated their skill at Central Rescue Station in a mock exercise. The fire tenders and a specialised vehicle were used to rescue the victims from a height and extinguished fire.

District Emergency Officer Dr Abdul Rahman along with the officers, station coordinators and rescue staff commemorated the sacrifices of the brave firefighters.

He said they were proud of the firefighters who sacrificed their lives while performing their duties. — Staff Reporter

Bank’s manager released

ATTOCK, May 4: Kidnappers released a bank manager after receiving Rs1 million ransom from his family, it has been learnt.

Soon after the kidnapping of Irfan Khattak, his relatives involved some notables and began negotiations with the kidnappers for his safe release. The district police and government quarters concerned also established contacts with the kidnappers, the sources disclosed.

However, so far no one could be arrested by the police, the sources maintained.

The spokesman for the district police headquarters, Javed Malik, claimed that Mr Khattak’s release became possible due to timely action by the police.

Irfan Khattak had been kidnapped by two armed persons from close to Jammat village of Injra police station on Tuesday. —Correspondent

Traders protest

ISLAMABAD, May 4: The traders of F-6 Markaz on Friday blocked the Super Market Chowk in protest against SHO Kohsar police station for torturing an employee of a bakery.

President of the traders’ association Sarfraz Mughal said on Thursday night, area magistrate visited the market and imposed fine on some shopkeepers for selling substandard things.

SHO Kohsar Fayaz Tanoli entered a bakery and instructed an employee, Dilawar Hussain, to call the lift from the first floor. As the lift got delayed, SHO started torturing the employee and then instructed his subordinates to shift him to the police station.

Police officials dragged him to the vehicle and then took him to the police station. Later, the traders contacted Deputy Commissioner Amer Ali Ahmed and got the employee released. Sarfraz Mughal said they were taxpayers but the police attitude with them was uncalled-for.

When contacted Duty Officer of Kohsar Police Station Mohammad Zaman said he did not have any information about the employee of the bakery because there was nothing written in the daily register.— A Reporter