BAHAWALPUR: A suspect, Muratib, in the custody of Gaggo police in Vehari district, was allegedly tortured to death on Wednesday.

Deceased’s father Muhammad Ajmal, of village 255/EB, accused police officials of torturing his son for three days, resulting in his death.

He said the police had illegally detained his son in a theft case.

However, Investigation SP Farooq Kamiayan said Muratib experienced trouble and went to take a bath, where he collapsed. He was taken to the Vehari DHQ Hospital but did not survive.

He said the police had CCTV recordings that could be examined. He said action would be taken based on the evidence and the doctors’ report, which is pending postmortem.

Muratib’s family members protested against the alleged police torture and appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and police high-ups for justice.

COURT: Additional District and Sessions Judge Multan Adnan Tariq sentenced four drug smugglers to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs1 million each.

Convicts Saadat Khan, Riffat Sultan, Salman Zaib and Hammad were arrested by Daulat Gate police on March 15, 2022, with 46 packets of charas, each weighing one kilogram, smuggled from border areas.

SERAIKI SOOBA: The Pakistan Seraiki Party (PSP) has announced plans to stage a sit-in outside Parliament House to demand the creation of a Seraiki province.

PSP Chief Dr Nukhbah Taj Langah made the announcement after presiding over a meeting of the central working committee at Head Rajkan near Yazman.

In a press release, Langah accused the state of treating Seraiki-speaking people as slaves and called for an end to the domination of “Takht-i-Lahore.” She alleged that a special group was instigating Seraiki youth to use arms to sabotage their peaceful movement, which would continue until their goal was achieved.

ACCIDENT: Two persons died in Khairpur Tamewali and near Sammsatta.

According to Rescue 1122, Muhammad Umar, 18, drowned in Bahawal Canal while taking a bath. His body was retrieved after hours of struggle by divers and handed over to his family.

In another incident, Bashir Ahmed, 55, an electrician, was electrocuted on a pole while repairing electricity in the locality of Mari Sheikh Shajra. His family refused any police action.

PTI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf South Punjab President and Senator Aon Abbas Pabbi claimed the arrest of about 18 PTI social media activists.

In a video message posted online, Senator Pabbi stated that 50 male and female PTI activists were allegedly missing, and their whereabouts were unknown.

He demanded their release from police custody.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2024