Police findings in Musharraf case to be submitted tomorrow

• Friday, 31 May 2013

HOMER BALOCH

ISLAMABAD: The Joint investigation team of federal police on judge’s detention case against Pervez Musharraf has finally completed its Challan, which will be submitted to a special anti terrorism court on Saturday, while the hearing of the case will be on 04th June, The Spokesman has learnt reliably. 

According to details on Friday, the four member joint investigation team including SP City Capt (Retd) Muhammad Ilyas, SDPO Secretariat police station DSP Malik Naeem Iqbal, Inspector Qaiser Niaz Gilani and Investigation officer Rana Mubarak, has completed their Challans on judges detention case against former president Genral (Retd) Pervez Musharraf. According to the sources close to the investigation, the team had added the investigation reports on various angles of the case including the causes of the incident and executive orders. The case will be heard by a two member bench of Islamabad High Court on 4th June. 

The joint investigation team was constituted by Inspector General of Islamabad Police Bani Amin Khan, after the Islamabad High Court on 18th April had rejected the bail of Pervez Musharraf and issued his arrest orders, but Musharraf succeeded in escaping from the court and approached his farm house located in Chak Shahzad area. Due to some security risks, instead of shifting Musharraf to the Adiala Jail, the capital administration declared his farmhouse as sub jail where the joint investigation team conducted their investigation.

Fraud case:

Islamabad police arrested son-in-law of former FM Gohar Ayob

Thursday, 30 May 2013

Homer Baloch

Islamabad: The Margalla police have arrested the son-in-law of former federal foreign minister Gohar Ayub regarding two fraud cases, according to police sources.

As per the details, the Margallah police on Wednesday have arrested Omer Shahzad, son of Abdul Latif and son-in-law of former foreign minister and PML-N’s senior leader Gohar Ayub from his residence in Sector F-8/1. Accused Omar Shahzad was wanted for two cases regarding fraud and bogus Cheque.

According to police, in 2009 Dr Khizar had submitted an application against accused Omar Shahzad for fraud of bogus cheque worth 2 million rupees, for which, the police registered FIR (510/2009) against him. Dr. Khizar, the applicant in his application had stated that in a car bargain, he paid 2 million rupees to the accused but neither the car was given to him, nor the amount retransferred.

A police officer requesting anonymity told that accused Omar Shahzad was declared wanted by the police as he did to present him to the police, however on Wednesday police raided on his residence. The officer further revealed that during the raid, accused Omar Shahzad resisted to the police and even attacked on a police officer resulting damaging his uniform, but was arrested successfully by the police.

It has also been learnt that after the first FIR lodged in 2009, accused was succeeded to obtain a pre arrest bail for it and also delivered 14 lakh rupees to the applicant Dr. Khizar at outside the court, but later the cheque bounced. Dr. Khizar submitted another application along with the bounced cheque, for which FIR (283/10) was registered.

On Thursday, the police presented accused to the area magistrate where he was ordered to be sent to Adiala jail on judicial remand of 14 days. He will be presented to court on 12 June for case hearing.

Topsy turvy postings

Topsy turvy postings taking place at PIMS

• Monday, 27 May 2013

HOMER BALOCH

ISLAMABAD: apparently, it has became a fashion in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that employees appointed at lower ranks are enjoying the higher posts due to the favoritism of the hospital authorities. More than 150 officials in the hospital were appointed on lower ranks but are now transferred to the posts above the required qualifications, The Spokesman has learned.

A reliable source within the hospital disclosed that there are many cases in which the employees appointed as ward boy are later requested to be transferred to their desired technical section, however neither the have the required qualification nor the experience for the post according to the hospital rules.

By quoting an example, he further stated that recently an employee named Sheeraz Khan, who was basically appointed as a ward boy, was transferred to the Liver Operation Theater as a technician on his own request. Later he again requested to be transferred to Children Operation Theater (OT) for the same post, where the head nurse under his influence also recommended his transfer by stating that the OT required technical staff. The source further said that Sheeraz had basically done a short course of OT technician on the basis of which he requested for the post, but actually the post requires at least 4 to 5 years of experience.

While another reliable source disclosed that an employee named Atif, previously working as Operation Theater Technician has also been transferred as anesthesia technician, which required more experience, qualification and proficiency as compared to the OT Technician but the administration of the institute has closed their eyes over the issue.

However Dr. Iqbal Memon, the administrator of PIMS did not respond the call when he was tried to contact to get his version.

Woman arrested as kidnapper released

• Sunday, 26 May 2013

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: A woman was arrested for kidnapping a minor and a woman near Golra Railway Station. She was later released on the applicant’s request when he came to know that his wife had actually run away with her cousin.
Iftikhar Ali, working in a private firm and resident of Golra Sharif, on Saturday registered an FIR in Women Police Station by stating that his wife, Sobia and their minor child had been kidnapped by Jameela, who is living in their neighborhood. Police soon arrested Jameela.
Sub-Inspector Gulzar Ahmed told The Spokesman that on Sunday during the investigation, police came into notice that actually Sobia was ran away with her cousin Ahmed. “Iftikahr’s son, later on the day of incident, was found from the street, which strengthened our doubt that it was not actually a kidnapping case”, said SI Gulzar.
He said after knowing the actual fact, Iftikhar requested us to withdraw Jameela’s name from the FIR and release her as according to him, she was innocent in this case. “Actually Sonia, Iftikhar’s wife was having some clashes with Jameela and her family for which, Iftikhar suspected her for her involvement in his wife’s kidnapping”, SI Gulzar said. He said after accepting the applicant Iftikhar’s request, Jameela was released from police custody. He further added that currently police is clueless in tracing Ahmed and Jameela, but is raiding in many areas to arrest them as soon as possible. 

(Names has been changed to protect the identities).

Pedestrian run over by US embassy vehicle

• Friday, 24 May 2013

HOMER BALOCH

ISLAMABAD: In yet another incident of rash driving by a US diplomat, a poor old man on Friday lost his life after being hit by a vehicle of US embassy official here at 7th Avenue of the federal capital.

According to the details of incident, Zahoor Ahmad, 70, a resident of Kotli Sattian, was hit by a US diplomatic BMW vehicle, when he was crossing the 7thavenue in the early hours of Friday. Immediately after the incident, he was shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) where he succumbed to death. The vehicle (PE-214) was driven by Monica, who works as management secretary at US embassy.

The deceased was later taken to his native town Kotli Sattian for burial by his relatives. Sub Inspector Khalid Mahmood, the concerned Investigation Officer told The Spokesman that Aabpara police took the vehicle under their custody. “The FIR of the case has not been registered up till now as the victim family is busy in deceased’s burial. The FIR will be lodged after his son submits the application. He will be returning from village within two days”, said SI Khalid.

While an eye witness of the incident said that the accident occurred due to no proper pedestrian bridge over the avenue in the area. He said the only pedestrian bridge nearby was previously occupied by a secret agency due to some security reasons. “Though now it is partially opened for the pedestrians but normally the citizens do not know about it and used to cross the road by passing through it. The deceased in his ignorance, did the same and tried to cross it but was hit by the vehicle”, said the witness.

Rian Harris, the spokesperson of US embassy in her official statement expressed their deepest regret for the incident. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family affected by this tragedy.  We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the appropriate Pakistani authorities on the investigation. We will work through our local insurance company to address financial questions or concerns of those affected”, she stated.

It was the second incident of its kind during the last four months as on February 15th, two CDA officials namely Muzammil Shah 34 and Shozab Raza 30, both working as lift operators were hit a non-diplomatic SUV driven by Lupersio Perez, administrative assistant at US Embassy. The victims received several serious injuries during the incident and were shifted to Poly Clinic hospital where Muzammil Shah lost his life, while Shozab received a fracture in his leg. The FIR (15/2013) was also registered in Secretariat police station against Lupersio Perez.

Bharakahu murder case:

Bodies of two Ibrar victims to be exhumed

• Saturday, 23 March 2013

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The deputy commissioner of Islamabad has approved a police request for exhumation of the graves of two Bhara Kahu murder victims, Shahzadi Bibi and Sawera Hakim. The exhumation will be conducted within two weeks for post-mortem of the two diseased girls, police sources said on Saturday.
The doctors and a magistrate for the purpose will be nominated next week, the police added.
When contacted, investigating officer Assitant Sub-Inspector Mansoor Ahmad told The Spokesman that the approval process will take a week in which letters from the Deputy Commissioner office will be sent to the district authorities, including district health office to nominate the doctors and
the magistrate for legal and medical process.
He said although the accused Ibrar Riaz Qazi and Zahra Mehek has confessed the murder of Shahzadi Bibi and Sawera, the post mortem of the victims is essential to provide evidences in the court. He said DNA sample of the bodies will confirm the causes of
their death.
It merits mentioning that Ibrar Riaz Qazi with the help of his lover, Zahra Mehek, raped five girls and killed two of them.
On February 13, Shahzadi went missing after leaving for Zahra’s place for tuition. Later her burnt body was found in the industrial area. Protest by her family led the Supreme Court take an action, with directives for the IGP of Islamabad Bani Amin to solve the case. Ibrar Riaz Qazi, aged 27, was arrested and during initial investigations he confessed to have murdered Shahzadi Bibi. Zahra, however, denied the allegations.The case developed more serious when Ibrar confessed that he and Mehek had also killed Mehek’s friend Sawera Hakim, the daughter of a senior police official, on November 4, 2012. 

Daughter-in-law murder:

IG Police Bani Amin, family embroiled in honour killing

• Monday, 20 May 2013

Deceased Waheeda Shah

HOMER BALOCH

Peshawar: The daughter-in-law of Inspector General of Islamabad (IGP) Bani Amin Khan was found dead mysteriously in her house on Sunday morning, while the Town Police of Peshawar is trying its best to save the accused by adopting its traditional tactics of delaying in FIR registration of the case due to the pressure from Islamabad Police.

According to details, deceased Waheeda, wife of Ali Amin and mother of two children was found dead in her father’s house located in Town area of Peshawar, while the sister’s of the deceased alleged IGP’s son Ali for murdering Waheeda.

Inspector Sardar Hussain, the SHO of Town Police Station Peshawar told The Spokesman that the FIR of the case is yet to be registered as after the final report of post mortem comes. “The initial post mortem report states that Waheeda died of a natural death”, said SHO Sardar. He further added that, “However the organs of the deceased are sent to a forensic lab in Lahore for a detailed inspection”. In his confusion, SHO Sardar Hussain while providing details of the initial report to The Spokesman also stated that the report also mentions that Waheeda died of falling ‘from the stairs’, but at the next moment he stated that there were no wound marks on her body, according to the report. This contradiction also exposes the Town Police’s tactics to save the highly influential chief of federal police from the case by hiding the causes of the incident.

When he was asked about the status of FIR, he said the deceased sisters have submitted an application against IGP Islamabad Bani Amin Khan, his wife, and Son Ali Amin for allegedly murdering Waheeda. “It is stated in the application that Waheeda has been given poison, and Ali Amin Khan along with his father and mother is allegedly involved in murdering his wife”, said SHO Sardar. He said the family members of the deceased in their statement to the police has stated that Deceased Waheeda, who was residing in Islamabad, was visiting them in Peshawar and she looked fine at night before going to sleep, but when her mother and a house maid checked her room at the morning at 9 AM, she found her dead lying on the floor.

Replying to a question regarding the logic behind submitting the application by the victim’s family, he said “According to her family members, deceased Waheeda was an open minded lady and was not obeying the restrictions made by her husband and his family to adopt ‘Parda’, They say it was an honor killing (allegedly)”. On the other hand according to some sources, deceased Waheeda was having some issues with her husband and his family regarding inheritance.

According to sources, IGP Islamabad’s son Ali Amin is also alleged for his involvement immoral activities and supporting the criminal elements, specifically the drug mafia within the capital territory by using the influence of his father, on the other hand IGP Bani Amin Khan himself is alleged for being blue-eyed of a land mafia head.

Judges detention case:

Ghumman withdraws FIR against Musharraf

• Friday, 17 May 2013

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: To facilitate Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s peaceful departure, Advocate Chaudhry Aslam Ghumman has finally surrendered to pressure from the establishment, and withdrew a case registered against Musharraf on November 3, 2007 for detaining 60 Supreme Court judges.
He announced his withdrawal during a press conference held in a local hotel. He said that there is already enough chaos in the country and he does not want to increase it. “I took the step by keeping the national interest in my mind”, said Advocate Ghumman. While answering questions, he said, “Every man has his own mind. I had registered the FIR in 2007 as I thought it was the right step at that time, and now I am withdrawing it because now I think it is the right decision”. He said he has no pressure from anyone regarding his step.

Advocate Chaudhry Aslam Ghumman (File Photo)

On 3rd November, 2007, Advocate Ghumman had registered the FIR with the Secretariat Police Station of Islamabad, against the then president Pervez Musharraf for detaining 60 judges of the Supreme Court. In his FIR, he had stated that the former president not only detained the judges but also harmed their families by sealing their houses and deputing police force there. He said that even the children of detained judges were not allowed to continue their studies. In his FIR, he also gave the reference of the first session of the National Assembly in which Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had ordered the department concerned to free the judges.
On 18th April, the Islamabad High Court had issued an order to arrest Musharraf in the judges detention case, but Musharraf fled the court and moved to his farmhouse. The capital administration instead of arresting him declared his farmhouse as a sub-jail.

Prankster plays hoax with bankers, police

• Friday, 17 May 2013

HOMER BALOCH

ISLAMABAD: Police were called to scene on Friday after a bomb threat created panic in the staff and account-holders present in the Jinnah Avenue branch of the United Bank Limited on Friday. The police, however, returned with no clues of the prankster.
Around 3 pm, an anonymous call was received to Humayun Khan, the branch manager of the bank. “The caller told Humayun that there is a bomb placed at the 14th floor of the building,” according to an employee, working in the building. “The branch manager immediately informed the Kohsar police about the call, which reached along with bomb disposal squad after half an hour,” he said.
He further said that all the staff working in the building was sent out side of the building after which the police and the bomb disposal squad took the building’s control. Assistant Sub Inspector Siddique Ahmad told The Spokesman that the building was inspected completely including its all floors and basement, but nothing suspicious was found.
He said that police along with the branch manager also visited a franchise of a cellular company to trace the caller. “After approaching to the franchise, the police learnt that the call was made from a phone booth which is currently not possible to trace for us,” the police official said.

No NOC, no status:

No NOC, no status, HEC tells nine universities

• Thursday, 16 May 2013 

HOMER BALOCH

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission is not recognising the degrees issued by 9 recently launched universities until they obtain no objection certificates from the commission, learnt The Spokesman.
The universities are including My University, The Darul-Madina International University, South Asian Strategic Institute University, Capital University, Pakistan Institute of Management, Habib University Foundation, Nazeer Hussain University, Lal Shahbaz University and University of Technology.
The step was taken in the light of the Supreme Court’s directives of taking strict action against those universities which are operating without taking clearance certificates from the HEC while the HEC also received complaints regarding some of the universities operating without getting approval from the HEC, said HEC spokesperson Murtaza Noor.
He said before issuing an NOC to a university, the HEC checked that either the universities were fulfilling its criteria or not. “HEC checks the physical infrastructure, faculty, administration, existing facilities and financial status of the university before issuing an NOC,” Murtaza said.
“The main reason, behind the HEC’s these steps, is to discourage the substandard institutes and to raise the quality of education. Such initiatives are also helpful to prevent the institutes for issuing fake degrees,” Murtaza said. He said nine private universities have been granted charter by the authorities without fulfilling the cabinet criteria for the establishment of a new university or a degree awarding institute including NOC from the HEC.
He said the parents and students are also advised not to approach any university for admissions, which is operating without HEC’s approval. “Parents as well as the students should check the website of the university concerned before applying for admissions there,” Murtaza said.
He said that the HEC makes announcements through news papers to aware the public about substandard institutes. “The universities that have not obtained NOC, can still approach the HEC for their clearance before initiating any academic activity like admissions in any degree program,” Murtaza said. 

Crime Story

Post mortem of girl proves she was murdered

• Thursday, 16 May 2013

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: A young girl, died on May 12, has finally been declared murdered by the doctors after her post mortem on Thursday, according to the police.
Nazia Bibi 16, resident of Bharakau was found dead in her uncle’s house in Muslim Town near Bari Imam on Saturday May 12. Initially, her family told the police that she committed suicide while her body was sent to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for post mortem. The police also registered an FIR while declaring her murderers unidentified.
The doctors submitted the final report of her post mortem which revealed that decedent Nazia Bibi was murdered. The post mortem report revealed that Nazia died of suffocation and was strangled to death, while there were also many other wound marks on her body, indicated that she was also tortured before her death. Secretariat Police Station SHO Mubarak Ali when contacted told “The decedent ran away from her home but after getting recovered, was residing in her uncle’s house in Muslim Town as she was not feeling safe at her own home.”
He said the police have not arrested any suspect yet but the investigation process of the case is continued. While another police official while requesting anonymity said that the decedent was murdered by her own family members. “The decedent was having an affair which was into the notice of her family,” said the officer.
He said that her family members tortured her to quit her affair after which she ran away from her house, but later recovered. “She was having some marks on her body indicating that she was also given electric shocks before her death,” the officer said. He said the murdered belonged to a Pakhtoon family where the people could not bear her involvement in an affair.
Meanwhile, the police on Thursday arrested 13 outlaws from various areas of the city and recovered a tampered van, four pistols and 890-gram hashish from their possession. According to the police, they recovered four 30-bore pistols, five small bore pistols and 15 cartridges from the possession of alleged criminals.
While, the police arrested Rab Nawaz, Sarfraz Masih, Allah Tawqkal and Junaid Ali over holding illegal weapons. Bhara Kahu Police Station SHO Mehboob Ahmed and Sub Inspector Arshad Ali during patrolling arrested two accused Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Habib and recovered 370 gram hashish from their possession.
Tarnol police during patrolling arrested accused Fazal Hussain and recovered 400 gram hashish from him, in another operation, the CIA police arrested accused Malik Javed and recovered 130-gram hashish from his possession.
Anti car lifting cell arrested accused Muhammad Tahir and recovered a tampered carry from him.

Murderer of wife arrested

• Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The man, who murdered his wife brutally after slaughtering her on May 2, has finally been arrested on Wednesday. The Aabpara police raided on a house located near fire brigade office in Sector G-7 and arrested Rabnawaz, alleged for murdering his wife Shazia Bibi. After the arrest, he confessed the murder during the investigation.
According to the accused, he murdered his wife Shazia as he had a doubt over her character. Jibran Ali, son of the accused on Thursday 2 May had lodged an FIR against his stepfather Rabnawaz. He stated in the FIR that the incident occurred at 1pm while he was away from his house, but when he came back to his home, he found his mother lying dead on the floor while his stepfather was not present in the house.  He also stated that after the death of his father, his mother Shazia Bibi consummated her second marriage with Rabnawaz, the accused.

Con women take away gold jewellery

• Monday, 13 May 2013

Homer Baloch

Islamabad: Many citizens of the federal capital were on Monday deprived of their precious jewellery in Ghori Town of Koral area, when two fraudster women took the jewellery by saying that they will double it after praying on it.
Captain Qasim Bilal registered an FIR in the Koral police station, stating that on May 5 two unidentified women who appeared as job seekers deprived his family of 37 tola of gold jewellery in his absence. “Only my sister and sister-in-law were present at the home when the incident occurred,” Bilal told the police.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Tariq Mahmood, the investigating officer when contacted, said that one of the accused was aged 50 years while the other was younger than her. “They first asked the applicant’s family for a job. When they were asked about how much pay they would want, they replied that it depends on the load of work,” said ASI Tariq.
He further said that the family let them enter the house as they actually needed a housemaid. “After entering into the house, the one of the two women said that they see a curse on their house, which can be removed if they pray for it”, ASI Tariq said. He said the well educated but weak belief women immediately agreed to them and handed over them a ‘Jai Namaz’ to pray. After praying for few minutes, the accused woman asked them to bring any gold or precious ornament, so that they will double it with their prayers.
“The women of the house gave them their gold jewellery weighing 37 tolas in order to double it,” ASI Tariq added. He said the accused women prayed on the gold jewellery and placed them under the Jai Namaz. “They advised the women of the house that the Jai Namaz must not be checked before 5 pm or the curse will react and they will suffer. The accused women left the house by saying this,” said ASI Tariq.
He said Captain Qasim Bilal, head of the family, called her sister two times during her conversation with the accused and also told her to let the maids out of the house as they do not know them but her sister did not listen to him. “In the evening when Capt. Qasim returned, her sister and sister-in-law told him the entire story. He immediately after listening to them checked the Jai Namaz and found no jewellery under it,” said ASI Tariq.
When he was asked about the investigation process of the incident, he said “I have checked the CIA record of the criminals registered in previous cases, but did not find any record of the accused yet”. He further said that he also visited sector G-11 where according to the initial investigation, the accused were residing but did not find any clue. “However, the investigation is continue and the accused will soon be traced,” he said.

General Elections 2013:

PTI, PML-N supporters celebrate victories

• Sunday, 12 May 2013

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The supporters of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf separately continued celebrating victory of their respective parties in Saturday's election.
A large number of party supporters thronged the party offices to share their joys with fellow supporters on the holiday, while youngsters took to the city roads on motorbikes to express their feelings in a zigzag fashion, waving flags of their parties.
The supporters of both the parties were looking more than happy on the unexpected success of their supportive candidates. They expressed their joys by raising slogans in favour of their supportive parties and playing their party anthems in their vehicles loudly.
The day also witnessed a large number of PML-N and PTI supporters visiting their party offices. However, in some residential areas the loud noises created by motorbikes with their silencers removed ridden by youth irked the citizens.
Raja Shaukat, a supporter of PML-N told The Spokesman, “The public did not listen to the propaganda spread by other political parties and casted their votes for the right political party, which is PML-N. Now it is time to celebrate the success.”
While Nabeel Ahmed, a PTI fan said, “PTI did to secure most seats for the national assembly as we all were expecting, but this actually beginning of the positive political change. The educated class of the capital has also chose PTI as their representative party”.
In NA-48, PTI’s Makhdoom Javed Hashmi won the seat by securing 73,692 votes. He was competing with PML-N’s Anjum Aqeel with 52,170 votes, PPPP’s Faisal Sakhi Butt with 9,177 votes and JI’s Mian Aslam with 25,010 votes.
Total turnout in this constituency was 59.55 percent, while in NA-49, the second constituency of federal capital, Dr Tariq Fazal Choudhary of PML-N was declared successful who secured 95,701 votes out of 334,214 registered voters. He was competing with PTI’s Choudhary Ilyas Meherban with 57,160 votes, PPPP’s Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar with 44,646 votes and JI’s Zubair Farooq with 11,230 votes. In this constituency, the total turnout remained 64.36 percent.

General Elections 2013:

EC’s rules clearly violated by some parties

• Saturday, 11 May 2013

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The federal capital has witnessed a very safe day during the election regarding the security situation. In two constituencies NA-48 and 49 of Islamabad, 6,500 police officials were deployed by the capital administration. Among total 548 polling stations, 40 were declared sensitive.

However in some polling stations, Election Commission’s rules for keeping the political camps 40 meters away from the polling stations were clearly violated by the political parties. The city was having a normal atmosphere beside the blast incidents occurred during and before the election day in many areas of the country.
Two helicopters throughout the day kept the city under their monitoring while Frontier Corp, Ranger’s and a large number of police officials from Azad Kashmir were also deployed in the city to handle any unwanted incident. The capital administration had also imposed Section 144 in Islamabad through which, usage of loud speakers and display of arms and ammunition was strictly banned.
In many areas of Sector I-8, I-9 and I-10, the polling camps were installed adjacent to the polling station while ECP’s law clearly states that installing political camps less than 400 meters from the polling station is illegal. Inspector Ulfat Arif, supervising the security arrangements at IMCG near I-8 Markaz when contacted said that, “these political agents in the camps are actually assisting the voters by telling them how to cast their votes, and in this area, there is nothing wrong if they have installed their camps close to the polling station.”
The main focus of the security personnel were on the highly sensitive polling stations of the city including the polling stations of Lohi Bher and Charrah area. While according the report of security agencies, the political clashes between the Pakistan Muslim League-N and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s workers was also expected but till the end of the day, the polling process went peacefully.
According to the statements of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and the Federal Government Services Hospital’ spokespersons, the hospital did not receive any patient got injured or affected during the polling process. PIMS’s spokesperson Dr Waseem Khawaja when contacted said that the hospital was already on high alert from the last two days and the holidays of the medical as well as paramedical staff had been cancelled just to handle any emergency situation during the electoral process.
The polling station in NA-48 Polling Station (14) Food Officer’s office sector I-11 was declared sensitive by the capital administration of Islamabad due to its location in slum area where mostly afghan natives are residing. In the male polling station, two political agents of PTI and JI were reported to clash on a minor issue, which was later resolved by the interruption of police.
A police official deployed in the polling station told that, only five local police officials are deployed in the sensitive polling station while rest of the others are the officials called from Azad & Jammu Kashmir. On every polling station, between 5 to 15 police officials were deployed with respect to the sensitivity, while between 2 to 1 woman police officials were deployed on woman polling stations. In NA-48 polling station No (196) of Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) I-8/2, The woman waiting in voter’s row were teased by the male voters who started to gather in front of female polling station after casting their votes, but the situation was handled by the police officials after their interruption. In the same polling station, male police officials were also found settling the female voters in queue inside the female polling section in the presence of female police officials. The police officials when asked stated that it was due to a large number of female voters appeared to cast their votes and the situation was not possible for a single female official to handle.
In NA-48 polling station no (221) IMCG I-9/1, the presiding officer complained to the Election Commission Pakistan’s Inspector on visit, that the staff in the polling station is insufficient according to the number of voters while the staff and principle of the school in which the polling station was made, is also not cooperating with them. Muhammad Irfan, the ECP’s Inspector assured him that the higher authorities will be informed about the issue and an inquiry will be conducted for this.

General Elections 2013:

ICT divided into 17 sectors for election day security

• Friday, 10 May 2013 

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The capital administration and police have finalised security plans for the general election, to be held today.
The capital administration has imposed Section 144 to deal any unwanted incident, while two helicopters will be monitoring the city during the polling. Almost 6,000 security officials from the capital police, Islamabad Traffic police, Frontier Corp, Rangers and police commandoes, from other provinces, will also be guarding the city. To assure the safety, commandos will be deployed at the highly-sensitive polling stations while police control room has been made in Aabpara Police Station and F-8/3 Model College. The administration and the police have finalised their security arrangements for the both constituencies of the federal capital.
The deputy commissioner has issued orders to impose Section 144 in the city during which usage of loud speakers and arms display will be strictly banned. The city has also been divided into 17 sectors and 34 sub-sectors by the capital, just to manage the security arrangements easily. About 10 police officials will be deployed at the sensitive polling stations while five officials will be deployed at normal polling stations.
However more police officials as well as commandos will be deployed at the highly-sensitive polling stations. On 548 polling stations, there will be 3,000 police officials will be deployed, while 2,000 Ranger personnel will also be present to handle any unwanted situation, a police spokesperson stated. About 400 officials from the Traffic Police will also perform their duties during the day.
On the other hand, six superintendents as well as 18 assistant superintendents and deputy superintendents will also perform their duties regarding city’s security. To assure the un-interrupted coordination between the police officials, two police control rooms are also made in Aabpara and F-8/4 Model College under the supervision of a superintendent.

PIMS's Dilemma:

PIMS staff makes things worse for patients

• Thursday, 09 May 2013

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The posting of inexperienced staff in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences has created a lot of hardships for the common citizens, as a number of cases have been mishandled in the department due to the lethargic attitude of staff concerned. 

The largest hospital in the capital territory where patients not only from the city but from far flung areas like Mianwali, Abbotabad and Gilgit are also treated is losing its reputation over the patients day by day.
The patients are not satisfied with the treatment as well as the behavior of medical staff specially the staff posted at casualty department, which is the core department of the hospital to deal with the emergency cases.
The staff posted at the casualty section is less experienced then the section’s requirements while the senior most and qualified doctors hesitate to perform their duties at this section just to avoid the crowd of patients with emergency cases, “The Spokesman” has learnt.
“Last week, a lady aged 45, who was having a mass growth in her abdomen and was crying with pain, was brought to the PIMS casualty to diagnose her disease. The doctor on duty instead of checking her properly just took a glance over her swollen abdomen and referred her to the gastro section”, said a relative of the lady. She said the doctors in the gastro section diagnosed that she was not having a gastro, but a surgical case as she needed a surgery to her overgrown mass.  “The doctors in the casualty are even not aware about the basic cases that either to refer a patient to surgical section or to any other concerned”, she said. She stated that after waiting for hours, we were informed that our patient was having a gynae and must be shifted to the gynae section, which not only irked the patient but to us as well.
“The administration must post the competent staff if they really want to ease the patients”, she said.
While a nurse in emergency stated that the PIMS treats a large number of patients specifically in casualty section while the junior doctors often handover the patients to the nurses just to relax themselves. “The doctors here are not capable to deal with the emergency cases due to lack of experience. They should have worked in their departments concerned like surgical and medicine for some years before being posted in casualty”, she added. She further showed her concern that although the hospital has been imposed emergency just to handle any incident during the elections, but the doctors currently working in the casualty are not experienced enough to deal such situation.
A senior doctor admitted that the condition in the casualty section was miserable for the patients as well as the medical staff as it was handed over to the inexperienced staff. “The main reason for the mishandled cases is insufficient number of staff. However the available staff posted in the casualty section is also of least experience which turns the situation into worst,” he revealed.
He said that currently there are four doctors in each section of the casualty but the situation and increasing number of patient demands for at least six doctors in each shift, with relevant experience in each section.
When contacted PIMS Administrator Dr Iqbal Memon told “The Spokesman”, “Yes, we are having issues regarding insufficient staff for which we wrote many times to the ministry concerned but all in vain. The available staff posted in each section is qualified and capable as their recruitment is purely made on merit and according to the rules”.  He said that the medical staff had also been placed in their sections according to their qualifications.

Vehicle used in FIA prosecutor murder found

• Thursday, 09 May 2013

File Photo

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The vehicle used in the murder of FIA’s former prosecutor Choudhary Zulfiqar has been recovered from Sabzi Mandi area by police on Thursday. The Sabzi Mandi police found an abandoned yellow cab registered as GAL-1171 on a road under their jurisdiction. The same cab was used in murdering Choudhary Zulfiqar by the attackers. The cab was shifted to Margalla police station where the police have started investigation on it. According to police’s initial investigation, there were some blood marks on the cab while the finger prints taken from the cab has been sent to NADRA for further identification, confirmed by police sources.

Crime Story:

Property dealer pretending to be ISI official arrested

• Wednesday, 08 May 2013

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: A man pretending to be an ISI official has been arrested for possessing a fake identity card of the sensitive agency.
According to details, Zafar Iqbal, working as assistant superintendent at NADRA’s office in Sector G-10, has registered an FIR with the Ramna police station, stating that accused Mustafa Munir Malik not only misbehaved but also threatened the NADRA office staff by telling them that he was an ISI official.
On the other hand, IO Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Ikram told The Spokesman, “The accused first demanded the NADRA’s arms licencing staff to listen to him even when the office timings were over. When the staff excused, he shouted at them and threatened them that they all would face serious consequences as he was an ISI official”.
He said the staff informed their director general Amir Bukhari about the issue, who contacted an ISI official named Major Safdar, to probe the incident.
“Major Safdar reached at the office and after checking the ISI’s identity card possessed by the accused, declared that the card was fake and the accused isn’t working in ISI”, said ASI Akram.
He said the accused was shifted to Ramna police station where during the investigation, the police also found another identity card of a media organization from his possession.  “The accused was also having a press card of a media organization which had got expired because the accused had worked there for only six months.
“Currently he is doing his property dealer business in G-10,” ASI Akram said. He said the police have no records of his previous crimes so it is hard to say either he is a proclaimed offender or not.

FIA prosecutor in BB, Mumbai bombing cases killed

• Friday, 03 May 2013 

HOMER BALOCH

ISLAMABAD: Chaudhry Zulfiqar, the main prosecutor for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the Benazir Bhutto murder case and the 2008 Mumbai blasts case, was shot dead by unidentified men at 7:05 am on Friday morning when he was going to the anti terrorism court in Rawalpindi for a hearing of the Benazir murder case. A woman also died after being hit by the lawyer Zulfiqar's car. The caretaker Interior minister has formed a joint investigation team to probe the incident.
The attackers were riding motorbikes and opened fire at Chaudhry Zulfiqar in sector G-9. He was hit by a hail of bullets but one in his head proved fatal. A police official said Zulfiqar was driving his white Toyota Corolla while his security guard sitting in the vehicle was hit by one bullet. He said the murderers opened fire from both sides of the vehicle, which broke all the glass. Muhammad Aslam Kalyar, the police officer investigating the case, was not sure of the number of attackers but while some eyewitnesses claim there were four attackers on two motorbikes, others say there were six. The woman who died when she was hit by Zulfiqar's car when he lost control after being shot, was named Rubina, who was crossing the road after dropping her son to his school van.
Caretaker Interior Minister Malik Habib formed a joint investigation team headed by DIG Tahir Alam Khan to investigate the incident while the other members of JIT are SP Saddar Jamil Hashmi, SP Investigation Capt (retd) Mustansar Feroz, and two officials from FIA and IB. Inspector General of Islamabad Police, Bani Amin Khan said the police had taken Chaudhry Zulfiqar's mobile phone to help in the investigation. He said a letter had been found at the crime scene near the vehicle of the deceased, which contained threatening messages to the lawyer by a banned outfit. The special anti terrorism court has postponed the hearing of Benazir’s murder case till the 14th of May, while the lawyers of Rawalpindi and IHCBA have announced a strike because of the incident.

AGENCIES ADD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday, strongly condemned the murder and ordered a thorough investigation. In a condolence message to the lawyer's family, the president expressed sorrow. The FIA's special prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar said on Friday that he too was being threatened from Afghan phone numbers. Talking to media, he said Chaudhry Zulfiqar was public prosecutor of the government in Mumbai attack case. He said he had informed intelligence agencies about the threats from telephone numbers from Afghanistan but the caretaker government did nothing about it. All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Secretary General Dr Amjad has condemned Zulfiqar's murder by armed attackers and sought "immediate investigation into the incident which may affect Pervez Musharraf’s trial in the Benazir case.” 

Crime Story:

Husband flees after killing wife

• Thursday, 02 May 2013 

Homer Baloch

ISLAMABAD: A man on Thursday slaughtered his wife allegedly after a domestic dispute and fled, police said. Rabnawaz killed Shazia Begum in their Sector G-7 residence, the police added. 
The body of the decedent was shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for autopsy. Aabpara SHO Haq Nawaz Ranjha said that the incident took place between 1pm and 5pm. He said the deceased woman’s son informed them about the incident. 
“Deceased Shazia Begum had consummated her second marriage with the accused. Her son who informed the incident to the police is from her first marriage,” said Ranjha. 
The boy, according to the police, left the house at 1pm and found her mother to have been slaughtered when he returned at 5pm. His stepfather, according to him, was not present in the house, which strengthened his doubt that his stepfather had killed his mother.