NEWS IN BRIEF

Published July 28, 2012

Journalists attacked, injured

MANSEHRA, July 27: Two journalists were injured when some miscreants attacked them during the coverage of a protest rally taken out against the ‘genocide’ of Muslims in Myanmar on Friday.

The participants of the rally which was culminated at central square after marching through various roads was being addressed by speakers when the unfortunate incident happened.

Fakhr-i-Alam, a driver by profession and having no link with any political party, jumped to rostrum and started speaking against army, judiciary, government and media. Later, Mr Alam along with his accomplices attacked journalists.

The police contingent present there rescued the journalists from attackers but two of them Nadar Khan and Ibrar Tanoli were injured and taken to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital.

Later, journalists lodged FIR against Fakhr-i-Alam and his accomplices on behalf of the injured journalists.—Correspondent

Killings in Burma assailed

PESHAWAR, July 27: The activists of Islami Jamiat Talba (IJT), Peshawar district, on Friday staged a protest demonstration at Sher Shah Suri Road against the killing of Muslims in Burma and asked the Ummah to raise voice against the brutalities.

“We appeal to the rulers of Muslim countries to raise their voice with full force at diplomatic level against Burma and put pressure on its government to provide basic human rights to Muslims,” said Abidullah Shaheen, Peshawar district nazim of IJT, who was leading the demonstrators.

The protesting students were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the silence of the rulers of various Muslim states.

Talking to reporters the IJT nazim said the ‘believers of Buddhism had massacred thousands of innocent and peace loving Burmese Muslims, including women, children and aged, without any reason, adding in some instances members of Muslim community were burnt alive.—Bureau Report

Kidnapped girl recovered

PESHAWAR, July 27: Police recovered a four-year-old girl who had been kidnapped by a gang for ransom of Rs10 million.

City Circle SP Asif Iqbal told a press conference on Friday one Ibadullah of Hazarkhwani had informed Yakatoot police on June 30 about the missing of his niece Faiza, daughter of Mohammad Sadiq.

The complainant said the girl went missing shortly after she went out of her residence. “We tried to search the girl in the area but to no avail,” the complainant said, adding the family received a phone call for payment of ransom for her release.

The SP said those involved in the crime were identified as Hamdillah of Bakhshali Mardan and Inamullah of Jinnah Khel Mardan.

The SP said the accused used to shift the girl to Jamrud at night and kept her at Regi during daytime to avoid raids by police. —Bureau Report

NGO worker’s killing

PESHAWAR, July 27: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has directed the concerned authorities to make sustained efforts to nab the culprits involved in the killing of Ms Farida Afridi, an NGO worker, who was murdered in Jamrud on July 4.

The governor in a directive to the competent authorities of Fata said, “We condemn this senseless act of terrorism in strongest words and reaffirm our commitment and unwavering resolve to continue our efforts for ensuring peace and protection of life and property of all”.

He also desired that the bereaved family should be consoled and compensated duly. The governor also directed to carry out survey and registration of NGOs/CSOs in Fata especially those with female staff members to ensure their security.—Bureau Report

Death anniversary

PESHAWAR, July 26: The second death anniversary of Mian Rashid Hussain, the lone son of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, was commemorated on Friday.

In this regard Quran Khwani was held in Peshawar as well as at his native village Pabbi in Nowshera district. Family members, relatives and friends offered Fateha for the departed soul and prayed to Almighty to rest his soul in peace. Mian Iftikhar had earlier announced that due to the holy month of Ramazan the death anniversary of Rashid Hussain would be commemorated silently and no public gathering would be held.

Mian Rashid, 27, was gunned down near his residence in Pabbi Town two years ago, while taking a walk along with a relative Main Amjid when the attackers sprayed him with bullets. Mian Amjid had received slight injuries.—Bureau Report

Rain destroys 30 houses

BANNU, July 27: Windstorm followed by heavy rain caused devastation in Jandokhel area of Bannu on Thursday night and destroyed around 30 houses, residents said.

Rainwater inundated several houses in the area, about seven kilometers from Bannu city.

However no loss of life was reported. Gusty winds blew away rooftops of houses.

Local officials said at least 30 houses had partially been damaged. The storm brought down boundary walls of the residential compounds and also uprooted large number of trees.

Four electric towers also collapsed in Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital as a result power supply to several localities was suspended.

Rain also damaged standing crops.

Meanwhile, a low intensity explosion partially damaged house of Noor Mohammad Khan in Bannu city on Thursday night.

The bomb was planted along the boundary wall of the compound. Officials of the bomb disposal squad said about 10kg explosives were used in blast.—Correspondent

Widow seeks protection

MARDAN, July 27: A poor widow has appealed to Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti, IGP Mohammad Akbar Khan Hoti and Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court Dost Mohammad Khan to provide her family protection from the land grabbers.

Rang Mahala, the aged widow, while speaking at a press conference here on Friday said they had purchased a five marla home in the Kumbar village of Mayar area two months back but now their neighbour Liaqat Ali and his four accomplices were trying to grab their home.

She alleged the said persons visited their home several times abusing them and asking them to vacate the house or face dire consequences.

She lamented that they had registered FIR against them in the concerned Hoti police station but as the accused belonged to an influential family police had been harassing her sons and other members of family.—Correspondent

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