Minister’s nephew ‘runs over youth’

Faisal was walking along the road when official car crushed him.

FAISALABAD:

A manslaughter case was registered on Tuesday against the nephew of a federal minister following violent protest and blocking of highway after the death of a youngster in an accident on Jaranwala Road.

Usman Arif, nephew of Federal Minister Rana Asif Tauseef and son of Rana Arif Tauseef (the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association chairman), is accused of causing the death of Muhammad Faisal, 20, through reckless driving.

Faisal, 20, a resident of Main Bazaar Awan Chowk Hajiabad was walking along the road near Qasmi Masjid when the car driven allegedly by Usman Arif hit him.

Faisal was taken to the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital where he died.

Witnesses said those in the car were putting Faisal in the car to take him to the hospital when a group of Municipal Degree College students arrived at the scene and stopped them. They said the students insisted that Rescue 1122 officials be called and asked to take Faisal to a hospital.

The protesters were later joined by more students, shopkeepers of the area and workers of the car workshop where Faisal had been employed.

They said the protesters refused to let the car move from the scene and smashed it with bricks and stones. They also blocked Jaranwala Road at Abdullah Pur Chowk, bringing traffic to a halt for over three hours.

Minor clashes were also reported on the scene between the protesters and the police who had been sent to end the road obstruction.

The protesters dispersed after the police assured them of action against the suspects.

Peoples Colony station house officer Muhammad Imran told The Express Tribune that an FIR had been registered in the case against Usman Arif under Section 320 of the Pakistan Penal Code. He said a police team had raided his house but did  not find him. The SHO said the body had been sent for an autopsy.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2012.