JHANG, June 18: The Jhang police arrested a person accused of involvementin the kidnapping for ransom of Nauman Shakeel, the nephew of former Punjab governor Lt-Gen (retired) Muhammad Safdar.

This was stated by Jhang DPO Khadim Hussain Bhatti while talking to newsmen here on Thursday. Accused Altaf Hussain, who had been declared a proclaimed offender, was nabbed by the Chiniot Sadar SHO. During patrolling, the SHO received an information that Altaf along with his accomplice Allah Yar was going towards Pindi Bhattian by his motorcycle.

Quickly responding to the message, the police started chasing the PO and soon drew closer to criminals. Finding the police on their hunt, the criminals opened fire on them.

The police also returned the fire. In panic, the criminals fell from the motorcycle and ran away. Taking advantage of the darkness, Allah Yar managed to escape, but the police succeeded in arresting the main accused, Altaf Hussain Sajanka of Bhowana, Jhang district.

The arrested accused was wanted in several cases of dacoity, robbery and kidnap for ransom. The police also recovered the motorcycle and two Kalashnikovs.

Accused was also wanted by the Kasur police in the kidnap for ransom case of the nephew of former Punjab governor. While his two accomplices Islam and Nasrullah Bhatti had already been arrested through joint efforts of the Lahore and Jhang police.

The DPO also informed the reporters that during the last few days, the Jhang police had arrested 297 POs, 172 harbourers of criminals and 1,022 cattle-lifters. The police also recovered four Kalashnikovs, 80 rifles, 214 guns, 91 revolvers, 315 pistols and 46 carbines from their possession.

ALLOCATED: The Punjab government has allocated Rs400 million for the improvement and upgradation of health facilities at the district headquarters hospital.

This was stated by Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javed and provincial Housing Minister Raza Ali Gilani while addressing a joint press conference here on Thursday. Giving details, the ministers said that apart from constructing an intensive care unit at the DHQ Hospital, it would be equipped with modern machinery costing Rs100 million.

The proposed machinery would include a CT Scan machine among other implements. The health minister said the Jhang City Hospital would be upgraded to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, which would be an administratively independent unit. He said specialist doctors would be posted at the hospital while arrangements were being made to purchase new ambulances for the hospital.