PML-N workers accused of extortion

Sacrificial animal traders alleged they had to bribe PML-N workers before being allowed to setup shops in the market.

LAHORE: Several sacrificial animal traders at the city district government’s approved cattle market in Nishter Town have alleged that they had to bribe Pakistan Muslim League-N workers before they were allowed to setup shops in the market.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Imdad Hussain, accused Sajid Ali Gujjar, the PML-N coordinator for union council 140, of charging him Rs4,500 to set up a stall in the market in Chand Mari.

Muhammad Mansha, another cattle dealer, accused Shaukat Gujjar also of PML-N of charging him Rs3,100 to set up his stall. Muhammad Shabaz said he had to pay Rs500.

Khuram Iqbal, a cattle dealer from Pakpattan, said that the extorters were not even letting traders leave the market without paying them.

Akbar Malik, a Nishter Town resident, said he was a witness to political workers’ were extortion of the cattle traders in collusion with some police officials.

He accused ASIs Chaudary Kausar and Akbar Niazi of helping Sajid Gujjar and his accomplices.

ASI Akbar Niazi, however, denied that he had supported anyone in bribery or extortion. In fact, he said, he had warned some PML-N workers accused of asking for money and banned their entry in the market when the complaints recurred.

SP Zeshan Asghar of Sadar division said that if he received a complaint he would initiate an inquiry.

He said if any police officials were found guilty action would be taken against them in accordance with the departmental rules.

Nadeem Khan, town officer (regulation) for the Nishtar Town, however, said that he had received no complaint.

Syed Zaeem Qadri, a PML-N MPA, also denied receiving complaints about his party’s workers.

He said that if a worker was found involved in illegal activities including extortions, he would be barred from holding any office in future.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2010.