Failed tests: Cops looking for men who broke into health official’s house

GILGIT: Police are looking for a man who allegedly broke into the house of a senior health department official and threatened to kill him.

Police said that Farmanullah, a resident of Astore, along with two of his friends had allegedly broken into the house of Health Department Director Dr Bismillah in Jutial, Gilgit on Wednesday morning just as the official was about to leave for office.

“They started swearing at me and also threatened to kill me,” the director told the police in his complaint. “Some passersby intervened and forced the perpetrators to leave,” he added.

According to police spokesperson Mubarak Jan, the men were angry after failing to clear tests and interviews for jobs in the health department.

Jan added that the men thought Dr Bismillah had deliberately failed them, adding that as they were forced from the house they had allegedly told the official, “You have spoiled our lives, and we will end yours.” On the complaint, police registered cases against the accused and launched a manhunt.

Lawmakers complain

A delegation of lawmakers met the chief secretary to complain about irregularities in appointments in the health department.

The lawmakers, including deputy speaker Jafarullah, Public Accounts Committee Chairman Capt (retd) Muhammad Shafi, Ghulam Hussain, and Mohammad Amin, told the chief secretary that the tests and interviews were not fair and that an inquiry should be held into them. “We have serious concerns over the non-transparent process and request you to order an inquiry into it,” Shafi told the chief secretary.

They accused the health secretary for the mess, alleging that he had insulted the public mandate.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2016.