Briefs...

Daska lawyers killing case
ATC orders police to provide security to defence counsel
By our correspondent
GUJRANWALA: The murder case of two Daska lawyers came up for hearing before Anti-Terrorism Court No-2 Judge Bushra Zaman in the Central Jail here on Wednesday. The accused, former inspector Shahzad Warraich, was produced in the court. However, his counsel Shahzada Mazhar did not appear on account of threats. The defence counsel’s assistant appeared in the court and told the judge that the counsel had received threats. He appealed to the judge to order police to provide security to the counsel to enable him appear in the court. To it, the judge ordered the CPO to proved security to the defence counsel and adjourned the hearing till today.

Human trafficker held in Gujranwala
By our correspondent
GUJRANWALA: The FIA arrested a human trafficker from Gujrat on Wednesday. FIA Inspector Hashim raided the area and arrested human trafficker Zafar Iqbal alias Bhola, who was listed in a red book. He was wanted in several cases of human trafficking.

Wapda employees observe strike
By our correspondent
PAKPATTAN: Wapda employees Wednesday observed a complete strike against the government plan of Wapda privatisation. They staged a sit-in at Wapda complex.

Hill torrent sweeps away child in DG Khan
By our correspondent
DERA GHAZI KHAN: A child died when he was swept away by hill torrent after a heavy rain in the western belt of the district on Wednesday.According to details, heavy rain followed by hill torrent inundated a huge land of crops. In the meantime, a child, identified as Kaleem of Mithwan swept away by hill torrent in the tribal area of Tehsil Taunsa Sharif.

Two dacoits killed in police encounters
By our correspondent
BAHAWALPUR: Two dacoits were killed in as many encounters with police here on Tuesday night. Three dacoits snatched the motorcycle from Ibrar Ahmad at Mauza Kamil Larr in Khanpur Sadr police limits and escaped. The victim immediately informed police, who rushed to the spot and started chasing the dacoits. On seeing police, the dacoits opened fire on them. Police also retaliated. As a result, one dacoit was killed while two others managed to escape. In another incident, four gangsters snatched the motorcycle from Anwaar at Chak 27 in Sadiqabad City police limits. On information, police reached the spot and started chasing the dacoits. During a shootout, a dacoit was killed while his accomplices escaped.

Parties urged to unite for construction of Kalabagh Dam
By our correspondent
LAHORE: Political parties should unite for the construction of Kalabagh Dam as compensation for deaths in Karachi due to heat. These thoughts were shared by members of Pakistan Forum for National Interest in a recent session on the deaths of two thousand innocent people in Karachi due to heatstroke. Former Federal Law Minister and Senator SM Zafar chaired the meeting. Justice (retd) Sharif Hussain Bokhari, former Minister of State Qayyum Nizami, Dr Muhammad Sadiq, Zubair Sheikh and Jameel Gishkori spoke. The forum members said it is quite unfortunate that every department was fixing responsibility to others which adds grief to the bereaved families. Federal government should come up with a clear and detailed explanation of the whole incidence of heatstroke deaths primarily due to electricity shortfalls at Karachi. The forum members also said that the previous governments and the persons who opposed Kalabagh Dam were also responsibility for these recent deaths at Karachi.

Lahore Customs exceed duty collection target
By our correspondent
LAHORE: Lahore Customs Preventive Collectorate exceeded its target of Customs Duty by 1 billion and 7 crore rupees. According to official sources, Lahore Customs Preventive exceeded its target of combined duties and taxes by 4 billion and 66 crore rupees. Its total target was 25 billion and 7 crore but it collected 29 billion and 73 crore rupees. During the month of June, extra efforts were made for revenue collection, and more than 11.5 crore rupees was realised from confiscated gold, more than 7.25 crore from foreign currency, and more than 10 crore rupees from audit related recovery.

Journalist passes away in Wana
By our correspondent
WANA: A local journalist Roshan Mehsud died in Tank on Wednesday. He was 55. His funeral prayer was offered at the Spin Masjid in Tank which was attended by local journalists, government officials and notable of the area. The deceased was laid to rest at the Mehsud graveyard. He was brother of journalist Rauf Mehsud. Roshan Mehsud was an active member of the committee for promotion of sports activities in South Waziristan.

DSP dies of heart attack in Bahawalpur
By our correspondent
BAHAWALPUR: DSP (Special Branch) Rana Saeed Ahmad died of heart attack on Wednesday at ICU Bahawal Victoria Hospital. His funeral prayer was offered at Markazi Janaza Gah Chowk Fawara Bahawalpur and a large number of people from all walks of life and police officials including RPO Bahawalpur Ehsan Sadiq, DPO Bahawalpur and scores of other officers attended the funeral prayer. His dead body was dispatched to his native village of Faisalabad.

Woman slaughters husband
By our correspondent
BAHAWALPUR: A woman with her paramour killed her husband at Chak 21/BC in Baghdadul Jadeed police limits on Wednesday. Yasmeen had allegedly developed relations with Farooq, the friend of her husband Shahid. On the day of the incident, Yasmeen with the help of her paramour Farooq allegedly slaughtered her husband Shahid. Police have arrested the accused woman while her lover is still at large.

Child drowns in Haripur water tank
By our correspondent
HARIPUR: A child drowned in a water tank here on Wednesday. According to family sources, Awais, 7, a resident of Mohallah Afzalabad, slipped into a water tank and died.