PML-N MPA booked in murder case

Police have registered a murder case against Punjab Assembly member and Parliamentary Secretary from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Chaudhry Naeem Ijaz, along with his brothers and associates, for killing one person and injuring two others in the Sohal Adda area within the jurisdiction of Chontra police station.

According to police, the case has been filed under sections pertaining to murder, attempted murder, and criminal abetment on the complaint of the victim's brother, former councillor Muhammad Saqlain.

In his statement, Saqlain said his family owns ancestral land in Mouza Sohal, which MPA Naeem Ijaz and his men have repeatedly tried to occupy.

"We have long feared for our safety," he said, adding that around 20 days ago, villagers had staged a protest against the MPA's alleged illegal land grabs, after which a committee was formed to resolve the issue through dialogue.

Saqlain said a meeting was held at the house of Muhammad Irshad to discuss the matter.

After the meeting, he, his brother Muhammad Hasnain, and his uncle went to Sohal Chowk, where they were talking when 10 to 15 armed men arrived in Vigo vehicles.

The attackers - identified as Waseem Ijaz, Ali Imran, Raman Imran, and Waheed among others from Pind Malhu - were reportedly carrying guns, iron rods, and sticks.

"Waseem Ijaz shouted that we would be taught a lesson for protesting and immediately opened fire," Saqlain alleged.

"They attacked my brother Muhammad Hasnain, Tajammul Israar, and uncle Mushtaq, seriously injuring them."

While shifting the wounded to the hospital, Hasnain succumbed to his injuries. Saqlain claimed the attack was carried out at the direction of MPA Naeem Ijaz and his brother Nadeem Ijaz over the ongoing land dispute. Police said a case has been registered, and investigation is underway.

Following the incident, the victim's relatives and local residents staged a protest on Sohal Road. The demonstration ended after ASP Saddar Zainab Ayub and senior police officials held negotiations with the protesters.

The body was later sent for postmortem, and medical examinations of the injured were conducted before registering the FIR.

When contacted for comment, Punjab Parliamentary Secretary and MPA Chaudhry Naeem Ijaz did not respond to calls or messages from The Express Tribune.