Tag: Sheikhupura

  • Clashes between PTI workers and police amid general elections

    Clashes between PTI workers and police amid general elections

    Clashes have been reported between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police officers, after imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan gave calls for rallies ahead of the February 8 general elections.

    Numerous PTI supporters attempting to organize rallies in cities like Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar were taken into custody during the crackdown, adding to mounting political tension. Reports also indicate police raids on election offices, confiscation of party paraphernalia, and the removal of banners and panaflexes, allegedly aimed at intimidating party workers and voters.

    In Lahore, former Punjab governor and PTI candidate for NA-129, Mian Muhammad Azhar, was arrested by the police during an attempt to lead an election rally in his constituency. He was reportedly released later in the day.

    His son, PTI Central Punjab General Secretary Hammad Azhar, took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated, “My 82-year-old father was arrested. He wanted to lead a rally as per his democratic and constitutional rights”.

    “Pakistan has today been reduced to a total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law. One Nawaz Sharif and his daughter calling the shots and ruining the country,” he added.

    Despite the challenges, Mian Muhammad Azhar, upon his release, maintained that he had not committed any crime, asserting that his sole offense was organizing an election rally. He highlighted the apparent disparity in treatment, alleging that all political parties were allowed to conduct rallies and public gatherings, except the PTI.

    In Karachi, over 20 PTI workers were arrested as the party attempted to conduct an election rally near Clifton Teen Talwar. Violent clashes erupted between PTI workers and the police, turning the area into a battleground. The confrontations resulted in injuries to police officials, including SHO Boat Basin Riaz Niazi, whose jaw was reportedly broken.

    Police used baton charges and tear gas to disperse the PTI workers, leading to further injuries among the protesters. The clash disrupted traffic near Teen Talwar, Clifton, for a significant period.

    SSP South Sajid Amir Sadozai told Express Tribune that no prior permission was taken by PTI workers to hold a rally in Clifton.

    The PTI workers had blocked the road, following which the police asked them to clear the road.

    In reply, they attacked the police with stones and sticks as a result more than 10 police personnel including SHO Boat Basin and a lady SHO were injured. SHO Boat Basin’s jaw was broken and he is in critical condition.

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) chief organiser took to X and said, “They should be dealt with iron hands.”

    PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan condemned the actions of Karachi Police, emphasizing the constitutional right of every citizen to hold a peaceful rally during the election campaign.

    Similarly, in Peshawar, PTI workers held rallies across various locations in the city, including Ring Road. The police apprehended 30 individuals from Pahari Pura, Faqieerabad, Sharqi, Hayatabad, Khazana, and Sarband.

    Moreover, cases were filed against over fifty workers and community leaders.

    Seventeen individuals were mentioned in the FIR within the jurisdiction of Paharipura police station, with seven of them being taken into custody. Likewise, Faqeerabad police station detained seven workers.

    Sarband police arrested 17 individuals, while Hayatabad and Sharqi police each apprehended three PTI workers.

    Earlier, PTI Chakwal candidate Ayyaz Amir reported a peculiar situation emerging in Chakwal involving the police. He highlighted instances of police raids on the homes of prominent local citizens, arrests of their family members, and acts of vandalism against local leaders.

    Major election rallies were observed in various constituencies, including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Okara, Chakwal, Mandi Bahudin, Layyah, Bahawal Nagar, Mansehra, Gagu Mandi, Chitral, Banu, Peshawar, Karachi, Hyderabad, and other cities.

  • Chahat Fateh Ali Khan harassed in Sheikhupura

    Chahat Fateh Ali Khan harassed in Sheikhupura

    Singer Chahat Fateh Ali Khan had a harrowing experience in Sheikhupura while meeting his fans after announcing a foray into politics by running in the 2024 national elections.

    In a video that went viral, Chahat is seen walking down the street while people in the crowd appear to be laughing at him.

    Despite him trying to make them stop, the teasing didn’t end, and Chahat ended up shouting at the crowd. Lots of people online slammed the crowd’s rudeness.
    To add to his troubles, his nomination papers for the general elections were rejected because of his dual nationality. However, Chahat remains determined in his political ambitions and plans to continue seeking approval for his nomination papers.

    The incident has sparked discussions on social media about how public figures entering politics are treated.

  • Marriage and employment scam: 500 girls from Lahore sold in Sindh after kidnapping

    Marriage and employment scam: 500 girls from Lahore sold in Sindh after kidnapping

    The recovery of a 15-year-old Sheikhupura girl from Sindh has unearthed a gang that has sold 500 young women by scamming and kidnapping them. Seven arrests have been made so far from Lahore and Jacobabad.

    As per the police report, an abduction case was registered with the Factory Area Police Station in Sheikhupura on June 2 following the disappearance of a teenage girl. An investigation was initiated upon their failure to recover the girl, reported Dunya News on December 12.

    Urdu News has reported the incident in greater detail, including listing the motives of the girl who eloped, and how she got recovered.

    Alisha reached Lahore on the morning of June 2. She got out of the car near a petrol pump near Data Darbar in Lahore. She didn’t have her phone with her which she deliberately left at home, as she looked for someone in the crowd. Alisha got in touch with a man named Nadeem through Facebook. After being in contact online for a long time, she fell in love with him.

    Nadeem promised Alisha that if she came to Lahore, they will marry each other.

    On the morning of June 2, when her mother went to work, Alisha ran away from home to find her unknown love.

    When Alisha did not find Nadeem in Lahore, she broke down. She reached the Data Darbar premises exhausted and sat in the courtyard. A woman came to her and comforted her and said that she would get her a job in a good place or get her married somewhere. Alisha had no choice but to believe this unknown woman and thus they became friends.

    On the other hand, Alisha’s mother registered an FIR of her abduction in Sheikhupura Police Station Factory Area.

    Sheikhupura Police Spokesperson Wajid Abbas told Urdu News that Alisha’s mother received a phone call telling her that her daughter was in Sindh and she had to pay a ransom of Rs 25 lakh to get her daughter back. Alisha’s mother filed a case of kidnapping on June 6.

    Meanwhile, two local politicians in the area advised the woman to file a writ in the High Court, that her daughter was missing.

    Wajid Abbas said that the court reprimanded the SHO of the local police station and said that if the girl is not recovered, he will be suspended.

    He said that DPO Sheikhpura Zahid Marwat took a personal interest in the case and tried his best to solve the case. The police also found a trace of a gang.

    Sheikhupura police reached Lahore in search of Alisha and started searching for her with the help of Safe City Authority cameras, when the police saw some people talking to Alisha in the Data Darbar area.

    According to the police, after making inquiries about the wanted persons, they arrested one. When the police interrogated the man, he confessed to his gang kidnapping the girls.

    On investigation, the police found that the main character of this gang is a woman named Latifan Bibi living in Karachi, while her husband Khan Muhammad is also involved in criminal activities.

    The suspect told the police about the modus operandi of his gang. Latifan Bibi is in touch with six people from Karachi to Lahore. Three women and three men operate in Lahore, these six people approach different girls and convince them that they will get them married or get them a good job.

    They then transfer all of them from Lahore to the rural areas of Sindh.

    The spokesperson of Sheikhupura Police said, “When Alisha was seduced by an unknown woman in the Data Darbar area of Lahore, she informed Latifan Bibi in Karachi about it, after which the unknown woman sold Alisha to Latifan Bibi for 20,000. This group commits crimes systematically, two people from Lahore went to leave Alisha to Karachi.”

    He said that Latifan Bibi gave these people 20,000 rupees for traveling expenses. The police soon came to know that these two men also raped fifteen-year-old Alisha on the way.

    According to him, as long as Alisha stayed with Latifan, her husband Khan Muhammad also kept raping her. Then Latifan Bibi sold Alisha in the city of Qamber in Sindh for two lakh rupees, after which she was sold eight times in Sindh.

    The police traced Alisha and had information about the alleged gang, but the police now had the task of catching the entire gang. The police prepared a plan to nab the accused.

    According to the Sheikhupura Police Spokesperson, “We prepared one of our lady constables and told the arrested accused to call Latifan Bibi and tell her that they are bringing another girl to Sindh.” Latifan Bibi did not know anything about this.

    “When our officials reached the Kacha area of Sindh with the accused and the lady constable, Latifan Bibi and later her husband were also arrested from there.”

    Latifan Bibi and other suspects revealed disturbing details during the investigation.

    Latifan Bibi told the police “So far they have abducted around 500 girls from Lahore and sold them in the Kacha area of Sindh and got a huge price for them.”

    “Girls who come to courts or run away from home, we would trap them and kidnap them.”

    According to the Sheikhupura police, this gang has remained safe from being caught by the police until now because whenever the police went to catch them or found a trace of a missing girl, Latifan Bibi would arrange the marriages of these girls, after which these girls would be found by the police. She used to state that she was married, due to which the police action could not be successful.

    When the Sheikhupura police recovered Alisha on the identification of the arrested accused, there were many revelations.

    According to Sheikhupura police, Latifan Bibi revealed that she sold Alisha at nine different places, but finally, police found Alisha from an area called Mehr on the border of Sindh and Balochistan and brought her to Punjab. She is now in police custody.

    Sheikhupura Police Spokesperson Wajid Abbas further said that the police have detained eight accused in this case, including four men and their wives. Alisha and her mother also tried to change their statement, but now we have kept Alisha in safe custody so that this gang can be severely punished.

    The police led by DPO Zahid Marwat produced Alisha in the court and informed her about the entire incident.

    The court, while dealing with Alisha’s recovery request, issued an order that, “This matter should be investigated more deeply and all possible measures should be taken for the recovery of the kidnapped girls.”

  • SNGPL cracks down on gas theft, imposing Rs3 crore in fines

    SNGPL cracks down on gas theft, imposing Rs3 crore in fines

    In an ongoing endeavour to combat gas theft, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has successfully identified and addressed 55 instances of unauthorised gas connections, resulting in the imposition of fines amounting to Rs30 million.  

    According to APP, these concerted efforts have been executed across various regions of Pakistan. 

    According to a company spokesperson, within the city of Lahore, the local SNGPL team has taken decisive action by discontinuing 15 gas connections due to unlawful gas consumption, in addition to two connections linked to the unauthorised use of compressors.  

    Furthermore, 47 cases of underbilling have been meticulously scrutinised, leading to the initiation of a First Information Report (FIR) against the offenders. 

    In Bahawalpur, the SNGPL team has demonstrated their commitment by disconnecting seven connections attributed to compressor usage and 16 connections associated with unauthorised gas consumption.  

    Additionally, 17 cases of underbilling have been diligently processed. The company has levied a fine of Rs40,000 on those engaged in pilfering gas. 

    In Multan, 11 connections have been severed due to illegal gas consumption, while nine have been disconnected for compressor usage. Six instances of underbilling have undergone rigorous examination, resulting in the imposition of appropriate fines. 

    In Sheikhupura, one connection has been disconnected due to compressor usage, and a comprehensive review of 63 underbilling cases has been undertaken.  

    In both Peshawar and Karak, 44 gas connections have been terminated owing to direct gas consumption and the presence of illicit connections. Additionally, two FIRs have been filed against those involved in gas theft. 

    In Rawalpindi, six gas connections have been discontinued due to direct and unauthorised gas consumption, with one connection linked to the use of compressors. 

  • Sheikhupura woman beaten by father-in-law for serving food late

    Sheikhupura woman beaten by father-in-law for serving food late

    A video has been making rounds on X (formerly Twitter) in which an old man can be seen beating his daughter-in-law while three children try to protect her. It is being claimed that the daughter-in-law delayed serving food to the man, resulting in the beating.

    The incident happened in Sheikhupura. In the video, the man can be seen hitting the woman with an item resembling a wooden rolling pin and then he proceeds to pull her arm and kick her in the face as she struggles to protect herself. All the while, three little children can be seen defending the daughter-in-law (we do not have the confirmation if they are her children or not).

    After the video got attention, Sheikhupura police replied to the post, stating that an FIR has been registered against the man seen in the video and that a police team is conducting raids to arrest him.

    Additionally, as per claims, the police got in touch with the daughter-in-law who was brutally beaten.

    “Justice will be served”, the police replied.

    However, later, in a video message posted on X, the daughter-in-law addresses the incident stating, “I misbehaved which is why he hit me”, adding that it is a personal, domestic matter which has now been resolved and that she does not intend to take any action against her father-in-law.

  • May 9 attack; Imran Khan charged with ‘criminal conspiracy’

    May 9 attack; Imran Khan charged with ‘criminal conspiracy’

    The Punjab police have pressed charges of ‘criminal conspiracy’ against Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and all other suspects in May 9 cases across the province. Official sources have disclosed to Dawn that a total of 50 cases were registered, encompassing charges under anti-terrorism and other relevant laws. Among these, 14 cases were filed in various police stations in Lahore and Rawalpindi, while nine were recorded in Sargodha, seven in Sheikhupura, five in Faisalabad, and one in Gujranwala.

    Moreover, the Punjab police have recently added offenses under sections 121 (waging or attempting to wage war or aiding such efforts against Pakistan), 131 (abetting mutiny or attempting to influence a soldier, sailor, or airman from their duty), and 146 (rioting) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) to the FIRs.

    Dr. Anoosh Masood Chaudhry, Lahore SSP (Investigation), while talking to the media, revealed that the police have also incorporated certain offenses/sections, including 34 and 120b of the PPC, into the May 9 cases.

    Section 34 reads: “Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. When a criminal act is done by several persons, in furtherance of the common intention of all, each such person is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.”

    Section 120b states: “Whoever is a party to a criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or rigorous imprisonment for a term of two years or upwards, shall, where no express provision is made in this Code for the punishment of such a conspiracy, be punished in the same manner as if he had abetted such offence.”

    As per the Lahore police’s investigation, Dr. Chaudhry stated that there appears to be substantial evidence confirming incitement to mutiny and the planning of vandalism on May 9.

    Responding to a question regarding Imran Khan’s presence at the crime scene, she emphasized that it is immaterial whether he was physically there or not, as evidence suggests that he incited the suspects to carry out violent attacks on sensitive installations of the Pakistan Army.

    Dr. Chaudhry further noted that the prosecution and police are awaiting final reports from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) concerning videos and other evidence related to the planners and perpetrators of the May 9 incidents. She assured that all objections raised by the prosecution have been addressed, and the challans for the May 9 cases will be submitted to the courts of law after receiving reports from the FIA and Pemra.

  • Export-quality rice production at risk: Rising theft incidents targeting water pumps, transformers

    Export-quality rice production at risk: Rising theft incidents targeting water pumps, transformers

    Pakistan is currently facing a major threat to its export-quality rice production as a result of extensive theft of high-voltage electric wires, transformers, and water pumps. This theft has left vast stretches of rice-producing land along the Lahore to Sheikhupura Motorway without access to tube-well water, precisely during the critical rice sowing season.

    This alarming situation, which has been verified by both farmers and officials from the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), demands immediate attention.

    According to The News, the area most severely affected is near village Warran on the Motorway, where farmers are grappling with the challenges of rewiring their tube-wells and procuring replacements for the stolen equipment required for rice cultivation. The thefts of agricultural-related electrical hardware have been escalating precisely when water is in desperate demand for the rice crops.

    Although the rice-growing season began two weeks ago, many farmers are unable to sow their crops due to the thefts, which have deprived them of crucial equipment necessary for water extraction. Agricultural experts caution that any further delays in rewiring tube-wells and replacing stolen equipment could have severe repercussions for this year’s rice production.

    Regrettably, the motorway police’s lack of cooperation, attributed to resource constraints, has further complicated matters. Despite filing First Information Reports (FIRs) for each incident, no thieves have been apprehended thus far. Some Wapda officials suspect that the stolen wires and accessories are being sold at discounted prices to factories for various manufacturing purposes. Additionally, there are allegations that local politicians may be protecting the thieves, impeding the police’s efforts to apprehend them. These circumstances intensify the urgency surrounding this issue.

    Pakistan’s export-quality rice production is currently under a significant threat due to widespread theft of essential electrical equipment. The unavailability of water for irrigation poses a grave challenge to the entire rice crop, placing immense pressure on farmers. Swift action is imperative to address this issue and prevent further harm to the agricultural sector.

  • School sweeper arrested for raping fifth-grader in Sheikhupura

    School sweeper arrested for raping fifth-grader in Sheikhupura

    Police arrested a sweeper at a government school in Sheikhupura for raping a fifth-grader inside the school, Shahbaz Khan reported for Samaa News.

    Younas Masih was arrested on Monday after the child’s mother reported the case at Housing Colony Police Station, Sheikhupura.

    The mother alleged that after her child told her that she was assaulted by the sweeper at the school, she went to the police but they did not listen to her.

    She then had to go to the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau who helped her register the case.

    The child’s medical examination  at the District Headquarters Hospital had confirmed the sexual assault

    Police said the suspect has confessed to the crime.

    The suspect said that he used to buy the child shawarmas. “One day I forcefully took her to the washroom.”

    A report sent by the principal to the District Education Authority said that Younas was detained from the school gate on Monday around 10:30am.

    Read More: One year of rape cases in Pakistan

    After Younas was caught, the principal formed a four-member internal committee to probe the incident.

    Sheikhupura police presented the suspect before a local court on Tuesday. The court sent Younas on three-day physical remand.

  • Faisalabad: Man ‘gang rapes’ 15-year-old fiancee with friends

    Faisalabad: Man ‘gang rapes’ 15-year-old fiancee with friends

    A man in Faisalabad has allegedly gang-raped his fiancée along with his three friends after intoxicating her inside a vehicle, ARY News reported.

    Police said that a man named Saif had intoxicated his 15-year-old fiancée and sexually assaulted her with his three friends in a vehicle in Faisalabad’s Awais Nagar.

    The girl’s father reported the case at Batala Colony police station. A case was registered against Saif and his three friends, Bilawal, Zeeshan and Tayyab who were also nominated.

    The complainant said that Saif kept raping the girl by threatening her of recording her indecent videos and posting them on social media. Moreover, the prime suspect Saif had also snatched Rs80,000 cash and jewellery from the girl.

    Later, they threw the girl outside her aunt’s house after one day, the police added.

    In another incident, a woman was allegedly gang-raped by unidentified robbers in front of her family in Sheikhupura district in Punjab.

    As per reports, two armed muggers allegedly gang-raped a woman and attempted to rape another woman, who was 8 months pregnant, during the robbery.

    The victim’s family have asked for justice from the higher authorities, while the victim has appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan for justice.

    Punjab police have arrested the three suspects.

  • Punjab archaeology department to restore 400-year-old fort in Sheikhupura

    Punjab archaeology department to restore 400-year-old fort in Sheikhupura

    The Punjab Archaeology Department has announced plans to restore a 400-year-old Mughal-era fort-like palace in Sheikhupura.

    According to details, a study will be conducted on the fort, currently in a dilapidated condition, before the restoration work.

    The building underwent several structural changes over the years in different time periods with much of the building currently in ruins. Restoration work on the exterior walls is in progress.

    Photo via The Express Tribune

    Those involved in the restoration work have also suggested study tours from Lahore to Qila Sheikhupura and Hiran Minar, saying that they can be entertaining as well as informative. Only guided tours will be allowed inside due to the current condition of the fort.

    Read more – Authorities to restore historic mosque near Lotus Lake

    Spread over an area of more than 64 kanals, the Sheikhupura Fort is perched on a high mound in the south of the city and is a magnificent symbol of the glory of the Mughal era. Experts have suggested that it was not a traditional fort but the residence of Emperor Jahangir, who had a hunting resort nearby.

    Photo via The Express Tribune

    An official of the Archaeology Department Malik Maqsood Ahmed says the fort was not built for military purposes but as a palace.

    The fort was also used as a military base during the Sikh and British eras. After the partition of the Indian sub-continent, a refugee camp was also set up here.

    Many  government offices were also built here that resulted in the changes of the building’s structure and badly damaged the original historic look of the building.

    Locals of the city say that the fort is the identity of the city. A mechanic who has been working in front of the fort for many years, says that if the government develops a food street after the restoration work in the fort, it will not only grow the business activities but also tourist interest.

    Secretary Tourism and Archaeology Ehsan Bhutta said that when the fort was handed over to Punjab Archaeology Department in 2011, it was in a terrible condition.

    In 2017, the department initiated a restoration project at the site, which is still continuing. The outer wall of the fort is being restored while the interior portions have been renovated and some benches have fixed there. Display boards with information have been installed at numerous places.