Kidnap attempt foiled on M3 Motorway

TOBA TEK SINGH: The National Highway & Motorway Police (NHMP) said it thwarted an alleged kidnapping for ransom attempt on the M-3 Motorway on Saturday after officers grew suspicious of a group at a service area.

According to a motorway police spokesperson, the suspects, dressed in police uniforms, had abducted Shahbaz Ahmad from Mandi Faizabad in Nankana Sahib and demanded a large ransom from his family. The spokesperson said motorway police intervened after noticing suspicious activity and arrested one suspect, while three armed accomplices managed to flee.

The spokesperson said the abductee was recovered and that illegal weapons and steel chains were also seized. According to initial investigations, the vehicle allegedly used by the suspects had been involved in several crimes in Sheikhupura. Further investigation was under way, the spokesperson added.

After legal formalities were completed, the arrested suspect and the recovered items were handed over to Nankana Sahib police for further action.

Robbery suspect held after encounter

In a separate development, Nankana Sahib Saddar police said they arrested an alleged robber in an injured condition late on Friday night following an encounter.

Police said two men riding a motorcycle were stopped at a picket, but they opened fire on officers, who returned fire. After the exchange ended, police said one suspect was found lying injured on the ground.

Police claimed the suspect had suffered multiple bullet wounds fired by his own accomplice, who escaped under cover of darkness. The injured man was identified as Iqbal. Police said he was wanted in 12 robbery cases in Faisalabad and other districts and had been shifted to hospital.

FIA arrests alleged human smuggler

Also on Saturday, the Federal Investigation Agency said a man accused of smuggling people to Europe through Libya was arrested in Bhera, Sargodha.

A Faisalabad FIA spokesperson said a mobile phone and documents were recovered from the suspect, identified as Qandeel Ghafoor. The spokesperson said the material contained records related to fake visas, transactions and copies of passports.

The FIA said a case had been registered against him under the Immigration Ordinance, the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act and Section 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Residents seek restoration of filtration plant

Meanwhile, residents of the Low Income Housing Scheme Phase 1 in Toba said a water filtration plant in the locality had remained out of order for the past two months, causing hardship for people in the scheme and nearby areas.

According to local residents, the shutdown has disrupted daily life as they have been forced either to buy mineral water at high prices or use poor-quality water, raising concerns about disease. They expressed concern over what they described as the municipal authorities’ inaction and said repeated complaints had not led to a solution.

The residents called on the deputy commissioner to take immediate notice and demanded that the filtration plant be restored at the earliest to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water.

Municipal Committee officials said repair work on the plant was in progress and that it would be made functional soon.