Angered by pollution, man climbs pole in protest
Reported in Nawa-e-Waqt (June 20, 2016) a man from Lahore’s Shahdara area climbed an electricity pole to protest against the air and noise pollution created by the nearby factories. He said he had complained to the police and the environment department several times, but they took bribes from the violators. Police and rescue officials persuaded him to come down and promised action would be taken against them.
Woman raids husband’s second marriage
Express reports (June 21, 2016) when a man arrived at a court in Faisalabad to marry a woman, his first wife appeared on the scene and began to slap him (thaprron ki barish). She held him by the collar and ripped his shirt, and also slapped the girl he wanted to marry. Police and lawyers at the court intervened to stop her (mamla rafa dafa).
How expensive is the finance minister’s watch?
According to Jang (June 21, 2016) speaking to the National Assembly, lawmaker Jamshed Dasti said the finance minister wore a Rs 500,000 watch. Ishaq Dar took off his watch and sent it to the speaker. He said if Dasti could sell it for even Rs 50,000 he should give the money to charity.
Cop beaten by 48 men in Ramzan eating row
According to Dunya (June 22, 2016) when an assistant sub-inspector of police asked a man not to eat apricots at a Ramzan Bazaar in Kasur because it was illegal, the man and his 47 accomplices attacked him, beat him up, and ripped his uniform off.
One-marla house gets Rs 170,000 gas bill
Dunya reports (June 23, 2016) a one-marla house in Multan was sent a Rs 170,000 gas bill. The house belongs to a poor man who sells cotton candy. The gas company says his meter is now commercial. He must pay Rs 48,000 before they can fix the bill.
Fake policeman caught taking bribes
A cop stopping motorcycles at the Ravi Bridge in Lahore and asking them for a bribe (Eidi) turned out to be fake, reports Jang (June 24, 2016). The man, who works at a nearby juice factory, has been arrested.
10-year-old shoots 11-year-old
When a fight broke out between two children in the Green Town locality of Lahore, the 10-year-old Chand brought a pistol from his house and shot the 11-year-old Faizan, Nawa-e-Waqt reports (June 24, 2016). Faizan was injured and taken to a hospital. Chand’s entire family has fled.
Gender and politics
Dunya reports (June 25, 2016) during a speech in Punjab Assembly, opposition lawmaker Mian Aslam Iqbal referred to the speaker as “madam” in a slip of tongue. “By the grace of God, I am not a madam,” the speaker said. “At your age, it doesn’t matter,” Mian Aslam Iqbal replied.
88 percent calls to 15 were pranks
Reported in Express (June 25, 2016) of the 208,196 calls received by the emergency police helpline 15 in May, 183,331 were false alarms. Police vowed to take stern action against prank callers in future.
Cops and traffic warden fight over drunk driver
Nawa-e-Waqt reports (June 26, 2015) a traffic warden stopped a man for drunk driving and handed him over to the police. The police took a bribe and let them go, although there was a bottle of liquor in the car. When the traffic warden protested, a fight broke out and two policemen beat him up.