By Zainab Shafiq 
In an unexpected turn of events, local law enforcement successfully apprehended a young individual who, in collusion with a friend, orchestrated his own abduction in an attempt to extort a significant sum of money from his unsuspecting parents. This incident unfolded in Sahiwal, involving Ali Raza, a resident of Hujra Shah Muqeem and a student at the Government Technical Training Institute. Struggling with mounting debts, Ali Raza devised a plan to alleviate his financial burden. However, authorities swiftly intervened, arresting both Ali Raza and his accomplice, Asif, and subsequently placing them in custody.
During a press conference held at his office, RPO Mahboob Rasheed provided detailed information about the case. The complainant, Muhammad Asghar, reported to the city police that his brother, Ali Raza, had gone missing on June 16. The following day, the family received a distressing phone call, informing them of Ali’s alleged abduction. The abductors demanded a substantial ransom of Rs. 700,000 for his safe release. In an effort to further intimidate the family, a video was sent depicting Ali Raza enduring torment, accompanied by a plea for his parents to meet the specified ransom, warning of severe consequences if they failed to comply.
Consequently, City Station House Officer Zeshan Akram filed a case against the unidentified kidnappers under section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code. To conduct an effective investigation, RPO Mahboob Rasheed assembled a dedicated team consisting of ASP Bangal Khan, DSP Rana Iftikhar, and SHO Zeshan Akram.
Utilizing advanced GPS technology, the police swiftly tracked Ali Raza’s location and successfully rescued him from Jalalpur Pirwala. Throughout the course of the investigation, it was revealed that Ali Raza had masterminded his own abduction as a means to extort funds from his parents.
In a separate incident, the Pakpattan police achieved a significant breakthrough in a triple murder case involving the prime suspect, Zaheer Baloch. The brutal killings, which occurred on June 10 in Sham Kot, were motivated by Zaheer’s demand to transfer his wife’s hereditary land into his name. When his in-laws refused, he resorted to heinous acts of violence. Utilizing geofencing technology, the police successfully apprehended the suspect in Tehsil Minchanabad, near the River Sutlej Kacha area.
Shifting our focus to matters concerning public welfare, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) initiated the distribution of Rs. 2.781 billion among 309,000 women in the Sahiwal division. Each beneficiary is set to receive Rs. 9,000, with distribution taking place at 25 facilitation centers established in various educational institutions across Sahiwal.
To ensure a smooth and secure process, cash distribution centers have been set up in public sector urban and rural educational institutions. These centers are staffed by police personnel, district government officials, and BISP representatives, collectively overseeing the distribution process. Approximately 88,000 women in Sahiwal district, 144,000 in Okara, and 77,000 in Pakpattan will benefit from this cash assistance initiative.
Authorities have reassured the public that comprehensive security measures have been implemented to safeguard the cash distribution process, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring the safety of both the beneficiaries and the officials involved.
The incident involving Ali Raza orchestrating his own kidnapping serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals burdened with debt. While law enforcement acted swiftly to resolve the matter and apprehend the culprits, it highlights the importance of fostering open lines of communication and seeking alternative solutions during times of financial distress.