BAHAWALPUR: The Civil Lines police on Sunday registered a murder case against the owner of a private girls hostel building, where two university students had died and as many others injured in a roof collapse incident on Saturday.

The police registered the first information report (FIR) No 418/23 against the owner, Abdul Sattar, under section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

The case was registered on the orders of District Police Officer (DPO) Syed Muhammad Abbas, who during the inspection of the dilapidated building noticed leakage from the water tanks placed on its rooftop.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of Muhammad Munwar, father of one of the deceased university student, Saliha Munawar.

The complainant stated that the building owner had been asked time and again to get the water tanks and the building’s roof repaired, but to no avail. As a result, Munawar said, the building’s roof collapsed, killing his daughter, her class fellow and injuring two others.

Police spokesman did not confirm the arrest of the suspect, claiming he was fleeing and the Civil Lines police were trying to track him.

SECURITY AUDIT: DPO Syed Muhammad Abbas has ordered the security audit of all the branches of the banks and other financial institutions across the district.

According to an official announcement, the security audit has been ordered following reports that the banks branches had not taken strict measures for the security of cash, staff members and the customers.

The DPO has directed the banks and other financial institutions to have their own security guards, equipped with sophisticated weapons, and the CCTV cameras installed around their buildings. He also ordered strict implementation of the security SOPs across the district.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2023