GUJRANWALA, Nov 17: The Anti-Terrorism Court No 2 on Thursday acquitted all the accused, including MMA MNA Qazi Hamidullah and his son Mufti Kifayatullah, of the marathon race violence. It is learnt that the accused have been acquitted following the withdrawal of the case by the government.

The Civil Lines police had registered a case on the report of former SHO Nisar Ahmad against MNA Qazi Hamidullah, 48 nominated and 700 unknown activists for attacking a marathon participants and setting fire to official vehicles on April 3.

During the hearing, the government submitted an application for withdrawal of the case and said it had no objection if the court acquitted the accused. The judge, Tariq Iftikhar Ahmad, accepted the plea.

HUMAN SMUGGLER: An FIA passport cell team claimed on Thursday to have arrested a human smuggler from a hotel in Kharian.

Reports said Muhammad Yaqoob Machhi was wanted for allegedly facilitating 150 people’s visit to Greek on doctored documents. Some of the suspected travellers were arrested in Iran and Turkey while others deported to Pakistan from time to time.

FIA Sub-Inspector Muhammad Riaz said Yaqoob was a member of Dr Sajjad human smuggling gang.

CARDIOLOGY INSTITUTE: The Punjab government has allocated Rs650 million for the construction of a hospital for cardiac patients in Wazirabad.

This was stated by District Nazim Chaudhry Fayyaz Ahmad Chattha at a meeting here on Thursday.

He said construction of the hospital would start shortly. It would also have residential quarters for medical officers, surgeons and paramedical staff.

WORK: Work on an underpass at Peoples Colony will be started during the next fortnight as the Punjab government has released the required funds.

This was stated by provincial parliamentary secretary Ms Zile Huma Usman here the other day.

Opinion

Editorial

Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...
Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...