Old enmity: PML-N member named in double murder case

The deceased had been imprisoned in 2010 for killing a party worker.

LAHORE:

Gujjarpua police on Friday registered an FIR against a PML-N leader, Sohail Shaukat Butt, in a double murder case.

Butt and his eight accomplices are accused of shooting Hafiz Tariq Muavia, a former Lashkar-i-Jhangvi member, and his guard on Thursday morning on Ring Road.

Muavia and his guard, Shoaib Akram, 23, died on the spot, while another guard, Saleem, and Muavia’s driver, Ashfaq, were taken to Mayo Hospital, where they were reported to be in a critical condition.

The FIR was registered by Muavia’s nephew, who he also named Bagga Butt, Mudassir Butt, Shafique, Suleman, Abdur Rauf, Zohaib and two proclaimed offenders, Nawaz Bobby and Kashif Kashi.

SP (Investigation) Dr Liaqat Ali Malik said that investigation of the case was underway.  He said there was evidence of an old enmity between Butt and Muavia. He said Muavia was imprisoned for six years in 2010, for killing a party worker, Arif Butt, who related to Sohail Shaukat Butt. Muavia was granted bail three months ago, he said.

Muavia’s body was handed over to the family on Thursday. It was taken to his native village in Pir Madyana, near Bhasin in Batapur.

Muavia had joined Sipah-i-Sahaba after getting religious education from Jamia Qasima in Faisalabad. Later, he developed a close link with Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, besides being an office bearer of the Sipah-i-Sahaba in Cantonment. The first murder case against him was registered in 1992. Six more cases including two alleging murder and others possession of illegal weapons followed. He was under police surveillance for suspected involvement in terrorist activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2012.