Police seek Rs1.65b bounty for 70 most-wanted criminals

In a move against terrorism and organised crime, Punjab Police has recommended placing bounties on 70 high-profile fugitives involved in terrorism, murder, kidnapping for ransom, and other serious offences.

The recommendations have been submitted to the Punjab Home Department for approval.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar has proposed a total bounty of Rs1.65 billion for criminals listed in the Counter Terrorism Department's (CTD) Red Book and Punjab Police's Black Book. The Red Book includes 30 fugitives, while 40 criminals are listed in the Black Book. Once approved, the Home Department will issue an official notification specifying the bounties on each fugitive.

Among the most-wanted individuals, the highest bounties have been set on Obaidur Rehman at Rs140 million, Musa at Rs120 million and Yaqoob at Rs90 million.

Several other fugitives, including Imran Sattar, Masood Azhar and Munir Hussain, have bounties of Rs70 million each, while Abdul Rehman Mirza, Samiullah and Ameen have been listed at Rs60 million.

Further names include Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Safdar (Mamma), Hafiz Suleman, and Rizwan Ali, each carrying a bounty of Rs40 million.

Other wanted criminals, such as Baba Mansoor, Abid, Akram (Tipu), Abdul Jabbar (Chhota Engineer), Muhammad Azam and Muhammad Ejaz (Ejaz Alaqi), have head money of Rs25 million each.

IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar has directed law enforcement agencies to expedite efforts for the immediate arrest of these fugitives.

He stated that no leniency would be shown to criminals involved in terrorism and other heinous crimes.

He further emphasised that intelligence-based operations would be intensified to ensure their capture.