Briefs...

Diplomat says US ready to assist in relief efforts
By our correspondent
PESHAWAR: On the behalf of the people of the US, the US Consul General in Peshawar Jon Danilowicz offered condolences to the people who lost loved ones on Sunday night as heavy rain and gusty winds swept through Peshawar and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a statement, Danilowicz said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and those affected by this storm. We have been in touch with local officials, and the United States government stands ready to assist with relief efforts in KP.”

Trader shot dead in ‘sectarian killing’ in Peshawar
By our correspondent
PESHAWAR: A local trader was shot dead, apparently in a sectarian attack, in Peepal Mandi on Monday. Relatives said Sardar Abid Hassan Qizilbash, son of Hassan Ali Qizilbash, was on way to his home in Mohallah Marviha when unidentified armed men opened fire on him at Peepal Mandi. He sustained bullet wounds and succumbed to his injuries. His younger brother, Sardar Wajid Hassan, was also killed by unidentified attackers in the similar fashion in December, last year. The deceased is survived by a widow, three sons and a daughter. His funeral prayer will be offered today (Tuesday) at 4:15 pm at Mohallah Marviha. He was a cousin of Imdad Ali Qizilbash.

Retired judge strangled, killer flees
By our correspondent
SUKKUR: Retired Civil Judge Aijaz Rabbani was allegedly killed by an electrician in Ghotki on Monday.The wife of the retired civil judge, Akhtar Aijaz, told the jurisdiction police that an electrician, Aijaz, had come to their house in Shanti Nagar in the police limits of Rawanti in Shikarpur to rectify the UPS installed there. She said her husband asked him why the UPS frequently remained out of order while it had a warranty. She said an exchange of hot words developed over the issue and the electrician killed him and escaped. The Ghotki police recorded her statement and shifted the body to a hospital for autopsy. Police said there were marks of rope around the neck as the killer had strangled the judge. Police said an investigation was under way and search for the killer had been mounted.

Three Hazaras killed in firing incident in Quetta
QUETTA: Three people belonging to the Hazara community were killed on Monday in a firing incident in Quetta’s Satellite Town.According to initial reports, unidentified armed men on a motorcycle opened fire at the three men who were purchasing tickets to Makran. Further investigation into the incident is currently underway.In a recent attack, masked gunmen abducted 30 Shia men who were travelling by bus through central Afghanistan.From London, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He directed the authorities concerned to provide the best medical treatment to the injured and apprehend the culprits at the earliest.

Bride, groom to be arrested
on one dish act’s violation
FAISALABAD: The police have been directed to arrest bride and groom in violation of one dish act in any marriage function.A spokesman of the police said here Monday that Inspector General Police Punjab Mushtaq Sukhera issued directives to the Regional Police Officers (RPOs), City Police Officers (CPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) in which the police heads were directed to take strict action against the violation of one dish.
The IG Punjab also directed the police to arrest bride and groom as well along with other accused on the violation of one dish act and aerial firing in any marriage function. The police have also been directed to take action against the violators without any discrimination, the spokesman added.

Pakistan Army field hospitals rendering
support in Kathmandu
ISLAMABAD: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that Pakistan Army’s Field Hospitals and special search and rescue teams, transported through C-130 aircrafts and actively deployed in the suburbs of Kathmandu, are rendering effective rescue and relief support to the earthquake victims. The second two sorties of the C-130, due to leave on 27th April, could not carry out its operation because of bad weather as well as heavy commercial air traffic at Kathmandu Airport, said a press release. The aircrafts are scheduled to leave early in the morning on 28th April, carrying substantial relief goods, including tents, blankets and food items to support 4,000 persons.

Parts of Haripur plunge into darkness
By our correspondent
HARIPUR: Parts of Haripur including Khanpur and Sera-e-Niamat Khan plunged into darkness after a major power breakdown due to heavy rain and windstorm on Sunday evening. The electricity supply system was disrupted in 110 villages in Khanpur. Similarly, the consumers of over 250 villages linked to Sera-e-Niamat Khan power feeder, were also without electricity since last night. Qasim Khan, a resident of Sera-e-Niamat Khan, said the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) authorities were not attending phone calls from power consumers seeking restoration of electricity supply. When contacted, a Pesco official confirmed the suspension of electricity to hundreds of villages and added that heavy winds had damaged several electricity poles. He said efforts were underway to restore the power supply to the affected areas.
No rigging to be allowed in future: Qureshi
By our correspondent
MULTAN: PTI Vice-Chairman Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday said the formation of Judicial Commission was a great success, which would draw a line in the future general elections. No one would be allowed to rig polls and steal public mandate at any level, he added. Addressing a gathering in NA-150 Mumtazabad where JUI-F Punjab deputy chief Qari Zaheer Ahmed joined the PTI, Qureshi criticised the PPP and PML-N, saying both the parties were fooling the people and promoting corruption, nepotism and family politics in the country. He said Imran Khan had become the only ray of hope for the downtrodden classes and the people were looking towards him for a real change. He added that the PTI had introduced a new political culture and discipline by pressing for the Judicial Commission through a successful 127-day long historical Islamabad sit-in.

Motorcyclist dies in accident
By our correspondent
HAFIZABAD: A motorcyclist was killed when a speeding truck hit him near the Qila Bypass Chowk, Hafizabad. Arslan Manzoor, son of Muhammad Ashraf, of Madhora Kalan locality, was going to Hafizabad with his friend Manzoor Hussain on a motorcycle. When they reached near Qila Bypass Chowk, a speeding truck coming from the opposite side hit them, leaving Arslan dead on the spot and Manzoor injured critically.

Two cops booked for torturing man
By our correspondent
FAISALABAD: On the order of Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Naeem Sheikh, the Dijkot police have registered a case against its two policemen for torturing a man. Policemen Shahid Rasool and Umair Sabir had come to the shop of Ghulam Hussain of Chak 263/RB and allegedly tortured him. Later, the accused policemen took him to the police station where they again tortured him.

Fake Pir booked over rape attempt
By our correspondent
TOBA TEK SINGH: The Kamalia City police on Monday registered a case against a fake Pir for attempting to rape a woman. The woman of Canal View Colony told police that she went to the house of accused Imran for getting amulets for her illness. She said the accused extorted money from her and also gave her intoxicating material to drink and she fell semi-unconscious after drinking it. She said the accused attempted to rape her.

Farmer shot dead by unknown killers
FAISALABAD: A farmer was shot dead under mysterious circumstances in the area of Balochni police. According to the police, a farmer Rashid Ali of Chak No.90-RB was sleeping at his ‘Dera’ when unidentified assailants came after midnight and opened fire at him. As a result, Rashid received serious injuries and was shifted to hospital where he breathed his last whereas the assailants managed to escape from the scene. The police took the body into its custody and started investigation.

Iran hands over 59 deportees to Pakistan
CHAGHI: Iranian security forces handed over 59 Pakistani nationals to the Levies force on the Pak-Iran border in Taftan area of the district. The Levies force said on Monday that these Pakistani workers were apprehended in Iran because they were living there without valid documents. The Levies force said that these deportees would be handed over to FIA for further interrogation.

Eight-year-old girl raped in Nankana
By our correspondent
NANKANA SAHIB: An eight-year-old girl was raped at Bhanguwala on Monday. The daughter of labourer Allah Ditta was on her way when Mubashir allegedly abducted her. The accused took her to an unknown place and raped her. Police are investigating.