News in brief: Karachi
'Special policy to be devised for municipal problems'
The authorities planned to devise a "special policy" for addressing municipal issues and resolving them on priority basis through integrated strategies and measures, said newly appointed Sindh local government secretary Najam Shah on Wednesday.
Shah announced this in a statement issued after he took charge as the local government secretary.
"I have special plans in mind to resolve Karachi's problems, which I will share with the media after finalising them and consulting the Sindh local government minister," he stated.
The secretary also vowed to strengthen local bodies, resolve department employees' problems on a priority basis, eliminate corrupt elements and make promotions on the basis of merit.
He pledged to do his best to fulfil the new responsibility given to him by the Sindh government and take all possible steps for the betterment of Sindh's people.
Man convicted in six murder cases
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) sentenced Saeed alias Bharam on Wednesday to 35 years of imprisonment in cases pertaining to six murders. The verdict was announced by ATC-10 at Central Jail Karachi. The convict was also given a penalty of Rs100,000 for each case, with the court decreeing he would be imprisoned for two more years should he fail to pay the amount. According to the police, Saeed alias Bharam was arrested abroad in 2016 for his involvement in the murders of Saeed Ahmed, Muhammad Noman, Syed Tayyab, Mazhar Hussain, Qari Yaqoob and Muhammad Jibran. Another citizen, Umairuddin, was also shot and injured by the convict. Nine witnesses, including a magistrate and a medico-legal officer, recorded their statements against Saeed.
Police arrests drug peddler
The Steel Town police arrested on Wednesday a suspect for supplying drugs to youngsters in the area and confiscated over 1.5 kilogrammes of hashish and Ice from his possession. According to a police spokesperson, the suspect, Mustafa, was arrested following a tip-off. He claimed that Mustafa had confessed to supplying drugs in schools and colleges and revealed information about his accomplices. The police said that a case had been registered against the accused and investigations were underway.
Reckless driving: Three siblings killed in hit-and-run
Three siblings were killed in a road accident in Akhtar Colony on Wednesday. A water tanker, being driven down KPT Flyover, slammed into two cars before it eventually hit the siblings' motorcycle. The deceased were identified as Hussain Ahmed, 26, Zeeshan Ahmed, 19, and Sidra, 12. The tanker's driver fled after the accident.
Personal enmity: Man killed in armed attack
A motorcyclist was shot dead in SITE B Area on Tuesday night. The deceased, Kashif, 35, was intercepted by two unidentified persons, also on a motorcycle, who shot him. According to the police, Kashif sustained a bullet wound and died on the way to the hospital. Police have collected a bullet shell from the crime scene and suspect Kashif was killed over personal enmity.