FAISALABAD Gambling dens and prize bond parchi business have come alive in Faisalabad once again with the alleged patronage of some police men in the jurisdiction of Gulberg circle's three police stations.

A few months back, all gamblers were forced to leave these areas because of the strict action taken by the former (Jinnah) town police officer (TPO), it is learnt.

Close to two dozen gambling dens are operating in the circle under the very nose of police officials. A gambling den, running just a few yards away from the Gulberg police station, is enough to measure the police 'performance.'

Sources say gambling den owners are doing a roaring business with the blessing of the alleged patronage of a Gulberg circle official, who belongs to Faisalabad and has managed to get posting in his own circle for the last many years.

They claim that a few gambling den owners have sound relations with the official. Their strong connections allegedly bar the police from taking any action against them.

Investigation conducted by Dawn gives out that no less than two dozen gambling dens are operating in the Gulberg circle.

These dens are being operated by gamblers, including Sheikh Gola in Azamabad, Mehr Bhola in Gurunanakpura, Rana Zaka alias Codo in Razaabad, Faja in Qaimpura, Siddique Kala on Gulistan Cinema Road, Kala Tariq Road, Raja Babar in Chak 279, Umra in Sultan Town, Manzoor in Kokianwala, Sheikh Mana in Ali Town, Shah in Razaabad, Fiqa in Razaabad, Billo in Razaabad, Bhola in Munirabad, Gill in Madanpura, Saleem Stapni in Qadirabad, Rana Shadi in Rasool Nagar, Rana Iftikhar in Rashidaad, Ashraf Qasai in Afghanabad, Khwaja Bagga in Raja Town, Mehr Shafiq on Narwala Road, Saleem Mota and Noori in Christian Colony, Shahzad Goonga in Gobindpura.

It is learnt that den owners are allegedly paying 'monthlies' to the official and his subordinates that vary according to the worth of the 'business.'

Former city police officer Aslam Tareen had assigned the task of eliminating gambling dens to former TPO Sohail Sukhera last year. The TPO had launched an operation against gamblers despite a tough time he had to face from 'influential proprietors' who had alleged connections with some area police station officials.

Following the operation, most of the gamblers had shifted their businesses from the Gulberg circle.

Requesting anonymity, a Gulberg police sub-inspector said that some relatives of an official were also running two gambling dens which provided 'courage' to others to run their business with impunity.

Gulberg circle SPO Sheikh Khurram said there might be a possibility that a handful of gambling dens were being run secretly.

He, however, said that SHOs of the three police stations had submitted to him 'clearance certificates' that no gambling dens were in operation in their areas.