Protest against custodial death

LAHORE

FAMILY members and relatives of a 20-year-old youth, who allegedly died due to torture by Harbanspura investigation police, staged a protest demonstration on the Bund Road Sunday.

The victim Zubair’s family alleged that severe police torture had claimed the life of Zubair, a resident of Sherakot. They said Harbanspura police had registered a theft case against the mother of Zubair on the complaint of house owner. Later, police picked Zubair up and subjected him to severe torture in connection with the theft case registered against his mother. The policemen dropped him at his residence when they observed his condition went critical and escaped.

Later, the protesters kept the victim’s body on Bund Road and chanted slogans against the police brutality. The situation caused a severe traffic jam around the Bund Road where vehicles were seen piling up. Within the next few hours, the mess stretched to adjoining areas as hundreds of vehicles finding no way moved onto the key roads.

The protesters demanded the authority concerned to look into the matter and take action against investigation officer, arrest the policemen involved in the murder of Zubair. The protesters dispersed after being assured of case registration against the accused police officials. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident and directed the DIG Operations to submit a report in this regard.

UN OFFICIAL: The Country Director of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Mr George Khoury called on Founder and Director General, Punjab Emergency Services (Rescue 1122) Dr Rizwan Naseer.

He said that UNOCHA brought together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies in Pakistan, and to establish a framework within which each actor could contribute to the overall response effort. Therefore, UNOCHA was pleased to collaborate with Rescue 1122, the lead organisation for disaster response to strengthen the response capacity of Pakistan as per the UN guidelines.

Earlier, George Khoury arrived at Emergency Services Academy, where Dr Rizwan Naseer flanked by Registrar Academy Dr Farhan Khalid and Head of Operations Dr Ali Imam Syed welcomed him. After witnessing different areas of training, including medical; rescue, fire, repelling, height from rescue, revised rescue techniques and hands-on-training of rescuers, George Khoury said that rescuers were the real humanitarian heroes of Pakistan. He stated that rescuers through commendable services delivery during previous floods in Pakistan had proved that they were capable of rescuing the helpless people in the country.

He stated that given the likely recurrence of natural and crises in Pakistan, UNOCHA would work closely with the government and humanitarian partners to ensure an effective response to further crises. ‘OCHA would ensure to mobilise and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies,’ he said, adding that OCHA would also promote preparedness, prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. He admired the vision and role of Rescue 1122 in real time scenarios, including floods and earthquakes in Pakistan.

DG Rescue 1122 Dr Rizwan Naseer thanked UNOCHA and George Khoury for supporting Rescue 1122 to establish a Disaster Response Force as per United Nations International Search & Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) guidelines.

ARRESTED: Punjab Highway Patrol arrested 35 criminals besides rendering help to 4,324 travellers on Highways.

PHP arrested 28 persons and recovered 63litre liquor, 207gram heroin, and 380 gram charas, two riffles, six pistols, 207 bullets and nine magazines, 40kg meat of donkeys, stolen electric items, and stolen wood. PHP arrested a court absconder of Police Station Mithan Kot and six others on charges of using liquor. PHP reunited four missing children with their families.

Published in: The News

Category: Custodial killing