Police raid Valima ceremony

Arrest guests only to release them later allegedly on MPA’s request

FAISALABAD: Ghulam Muhammad Abad Police arrested several people during a raid on a Valima ceremony organized in Heaven Villas despite a ban on gatherings due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Police said the ceremony was organised in a colony adjoining Jawad Club, which lies within the jurisdiction of Ghulam Muhammad Abad Police Station.

On a report by the Special Branch, Ghulam Mohammad Abad Police Sub-Inspector In-charge of Investigation Ashfaq Ahmed along with Dolphin Force raided several vacant plots in the colony to arrest those attending the ceremony.

Sources said Aziz Malik Ashraf, a close associate of former union council Nazim Sajid Sohail advocate, had a discussion with the police party, following which he called Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA Khayal Kastro and informed him about the situation.

Reportedly after that, the MPA reached the location and allegedly insulted police officials. He called senior police officials to get the guests released from police custody.

Neighbours said the MPA sat down to enjoy the banquet with the guests after the police left.

The government has banned gatherings at wedding ceremonies for three months to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic but some elements continue to ignore safety protocols outlined by the authorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2020.