MUZAFFARGARH  -  Police claimed to have arrested a gang member allegedly involved in swindling people out of money on promise of making their money double.

Three months earlier The Nation’s correspondent had informed the DSP city circle about the activities of an intra-provincial gang involved in deceiving simpleton people on promise of doubling their payments. Besides, the police also received information and complaints against the gang members from various sources.

For three months, the police remained busy collecting solid evidence against the accused. After thorough investigation, a police team under the leadership of DSP City Hassan Mehmood Jatoi conducted a successful raid and arrested a member, M Ashraf, of the intra-provincial gang.

The police also nabbed Razia Bibi, wife of the ringleader Mureed Krail who succeeded in fleeing away along with his accomplices. The police also seized a fake currency note making machine with different chemicals.

One M Tariq, after hearing the news of the suspect’s arrest, reached police station. He claimed that he was deprived of Rs6.6 million by the gang members. “The accused, after receiving money from people, threatened them to implicate them in false cases if they would open their mouth,” he stated, adding “That’s why people remained silent.” On the direction of DSP Hassan Mehmood, Inspector M Aslam Malghani registered a case under 495, 420, and 406 against the accused and started investigation.

Experts laud initiative for edu state of emergency

The education activists applauded the suggestion of a committee, formed by Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), regarding declaration of state of emergency in girls’ education.

Speaking to media on education reforms, representatives of different NGOs and education activists appreciated the initiative by the SCP committee to encourage the government to declare state of emergency in girls’ education and implement girl education task force under article 25-A of the Constitution which provides free and compulsory education to the children between five and 16 years of age.

Pakistan Coalition for Education Executive Director Zahra Arshad said that this was right step in right direction. “It should be taken according to extensive and inclusive plan of action developed by all tiers of the federal government,” she said, adding “The statistics show that about 22.8 million children are out of schools, and most of them are girls. So, priority focus of policy must be the promotion of the girls’ education in the country.”

Maryam Amjad from Awaz Foundation added that joint ministerial conference should be called to include funding, allocation, efficient spending more on girls at primary and secondary levels as previously announced emergencies were based on enrolment drives.

Pakistan Youth Change Advocates Executive Director Areebah Shahid pointed out that less than one third of Pakistani girls were enrolled at secondary level, adding that much attention should be given to bridge the gender gaps at secondary and higher education.

Further National spending on education should be increased by six percent of GDP along with set bench mark indicators to improve education quality keeping in view the infrastructure investment for girls education at secondary and higher secondary level.