MULTAN City News

Multan police seem clueless about terror facilitators
From Our Correspondent
MULTAN: It seems that the police have very little information about the networks facilitating terrorism in Multan as senior police officials looked utterly confused at a press conference when questioned on security situation and militants’ movement in Multan and southern Punjab.
They presented exaggerated and incorrect information about terrorists’ facilitators and some even denied the presence of Afghan Sikhs living illegal in the district, despite the fact that they are moving freely and buying properties without any check.
It is important to note that a number of suspected facilitators placed on the Fourth Schedule challenged their status in the courts which have ordered the police to remove their names due to lack of solid evidence and seriousness on the part of police.
Multan City Police Officer (CPO) Sultan Ahmed hurriedly called a press conference on Saturday. The move was meant to share the police performance during the last two months, but he looked confused when questions were asked about security issues, arrest of terror facilitators and the presence of illegal Afghan Sikhs in the district.
SP City Khalid Rauf said, “Really I don’t know about the presence of illegal Afghan Sikhs and it’s a big surprise for me. I will look into the matter and convey information to my juniors to trace these Afghan nationals.”
When asked about the exact figures of the arrested terror facilitators, the CPO replied, “I’m not sure it might be 60. Oh I’m really sorry they are 80,” he quickly interrupted.
“I’m not fully prepared for security brief,” the Multan police chief quivered. “The CPO is more interested in speaking on police performance instead terrorism and security situation,” a senior journalist commented.
Sultan said they had unearthed 13 most dangerous criminal gangs and rounded up 36 accused in the last two months. Police had also recovered 15 pistols, one Kalashnikov, one repeater and 98 rounds from their possession, he added.
130 cases of heinous crimes had been solved, while police had also recovered nine cars, gold and other valuables, he said.
According to Bilal, the busted gangs are of Aslam Khosa, Kashif Nawaz, Muhammad Hashim, Allah Yar alias Yari Kitchi, Munir Ahmed, Muhammad Wasim Ghalu, Abdul Qadoos Qadoosa, Muhammad Bilal Bilali, Ghulam Murtaza Chadhar, Ghulam Shabbir Shabo, Mazhar Abbas and Ghani.
The CPO said the police had arrested accused Bilal Laang of Fourth Schedule on the charge of facilitating the kidnapping of Ali Haider Gilani, while further investigation was in process.