Businessman alleges victimisation

10 May, 2004

Rana Mohammad Asif Khan, Chairman Fara Group of Industries Gujranwala and President, Diesel Engine Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, has accused DPO Gujranwala of registering fake FIRs against him, brother and sons to please his political opponents.
Addressing a news conference at Lahore Press Club on Sunday, he said that he was the Nazim of Union Council-153, Ghuman, but resigned some time back to contest the bye-election of Tehsil Nazim. The local administration rigged the polls and used every tactic to defeat him.
Rana Asif said that the DPO Gujranwala pressurised the SHO of concerned police station to registrar fake cases against him, his brother, two sons and a nephew under Anti-Terrorist Act (ATA).
The DPO Syed Saud Aziz did this on the behest of Punjab Transport Minister Shamshad Ahmed Khan, whose brother-in-law contested the election against him. Moreover, the DPO deputed an official of Police operation wing for holding investigation while under the law this is the job of the investigation wing.
Upon this, he said, he approached the Lahore High Court, which directed the DPO to transfer investigation to the investigation wing, but it was done.
Later, the police arrested him along with his two sons, brother and nephew, he continued.
"Now when we have been released by the court on bail, the DPO is harassing us and giving threats of dire consequences," he alleged. Rana Asif further said that he was member of the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry and paying millions of rupees in tax to the government every year.
He emphatically said, "We urge the high-ups to take note of the situation and stop DPO from use of force against me and my family members."

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