Tuesday 26 January 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Kerry to urge China to put more pressure on North Korea

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BEIJING (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Beijing Tuesday evening for meetings with senior government leaders, with North Korea top of the agenda following the reclusive states fourth nuclear test earlier this month.The top US diplomat will also raise concerns over Beijings problematic behaviour in the South China Sea and the thorny issues of humans rights and civil freedoms, a senior State Department official said.North Korea is expected to dominate the talks between Kerry with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and other senior officials, as the international community seeks to squeeze Pyongyang with fresh sanctions following its latest nuclear test on January 6. China is North Koreas chief diplomatic protector and economic benefactor, but those ties have been strained as Beijing loses patience with Pyongyangs unwillingness to rein in its nuclear weapons ambitions.The Secretary has made no secret... of his conviction that there is much more that China can do by way of applying leverage (on Pyongyang), the US official said.The South China Sea will also be discussed as tensions and territorial disputes in the vital waterway between Beijing and its neighbours in Southeast Asia -- backed by Washington -- threaten to degenerate into conflict. The continuing tensions and problematic behaviour by China in the South China Sea is very much on the Secretarys mind and something that he will certainly discuss in depth, the US official said.Finally, Kerry will raise with his hosts what we see as a very significant tightening of political space for civil society and for NGOs, the US official said.Kerrys visit to Beijing is the last leg of a three-continent tour that began in Davos with stops in Saudi Arabia, Laos and Cambodia.

Israel's Netanyahu says UN's Ban 'encourages terror'

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JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday accused the UN chief of encouraging terror after Ban Ki-moon spoke of Palestinian frustration at Israels occupation and said it was natural to resist.The comments of the UN Secretary General encourage terror, Netanyahu said in a statement. There is no justification for terror.Earlier, Ban was quoted in a UN statement as telling the Security Council of the profound sense of alienation and despair driving some Palestinians -- especially young people in the upsurge of violent attacks against Israelis since the start of October.Palestinian frustration is growing under the weight of a half century of occupation and the paralysis of the peace process, he said.As oppressed peoples have demonstrated throughout the ages, it is human nature to react to occupation, which often serves as a potent incubator of hate and extremism.Violence since October 1 has killed 159 Palestinians and 25 Israelis, as well as an American and an Eritrean, according to an AFP count.Most of the Palestinians killed since October have been attackers, while others have been shot dead by Israeli forces during protests and clashes. Ban condemned the Palestinian attacks, but said Israeli settlement building cast doubt on Israels commitment to the goal of an independent Palestine alongside the Jewish state.Continued settlement activities are an affront to the Palestinian people and to the international community, he said.They rightly raise fundamental questions about Israels commitment to a two-state solution. Netanyahu responded that the Palestinians themselves were not working for two states.The Palestinian murderers do not want to build a state, they want to destroy a state and they say it out loud, he said.They want to murder Jews wherever they are and they say so out loud. They do not murder for peace and they do not murder for human rights.

White House protester dies after 35-year vigil

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Concepcion Picciotto, a 80-year-old Spanish-born nuclear disarmament activist who camped in front of the White House for more than three decades, has died, colleagues said Tuesday.The diminutive weather-worn protester who manned a placard-festooned tent in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue through Washingtons brutal summers and winters since 1981 died Monday, according to The Peace House, a group she belonged to. Connies health was not well for the past couple of years. Therefore, we hope she finds peace where she may be, the group said in a statement.Picciotto was a divisive figure, earning respect for her endurance but derision for embracing sometimes controversial views.There were also persistent questions about her mental health.Picciotto and her colleagues were a regular attraction for tourists gathered in front of one of the worlds most famous landmarks.On Tuesday, a fellow protester manned the encampment beside a sign that read Concepcion R.I.P as a group of Argentine tourists clad in snow gear snapped photos.She manned the White House Anti-Nuclear Peace Vigil the longest, said Peace House. She stayed there through thick and thin and was dedicated to a cause that sometimes seemed to be like an unhealthy relationship.

San Francisco: Drowned Pakistani girl's body found from beach

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LAHORE (Web Desk) – Drowned Pakistani girl 19 year old Shireen Ahsan’s body was found Wednesday from Strawberry Beach in Wilder State Ranch, Santa Cruz. Ahsan and another student, 25 year old Solaiman Nourzaie, were swept away by sea last week Monday. Her body was spotted by a biker who then notified the authorities. Her family was notified afterwards.The accident occurred when a group of five students including, Ahsan and Nourzaie, climbed down a rope to rocky base near the Bonny Doon Beach. The two of them were pulled in by strong currents of a 10-15 foot wave. The rest of the three managed to survive by swimming to a rocky cliff base.Ahsan’s father said he was devastated after learning of the accident.Originally from Palo Alto, Shireen was a student at University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC). Both Ahsan and Nourzaie were honor roll students and part of UCSC’s Muslim Student’s Association.Ahsan has been described by her family as a compassionate, adventurous youth who never used to get into trouble.UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal offered her condolences and expressed her grief.A gathering in memory of the lost students has been planned by the University.Drowned students Shireen Ahsan andSolaiman Nourzaie

Tennis: Kvitova to lead Czechs against Romania in Fed Cup

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PRAGUE (AFP) - World number seven Petra Kvitova will spearhead holders the Czech Republic in their first-round Fed Cup tie in Cluj, Romania on February 6-7, the Czech team captain said on Tuesday.Captain Petr Pala said he had called up Kvitova, the 25-year-old two-time Wimbledon champion, alongside 12th-ranked Karolina Pliskova, Barbora Strycova (48) and Denisa Allertova (66).Kvitova and Pliskova led the Czechs to their fourth Fed Cup title in five years last November, beating the Maria Sharapova-led Russia 3-2 in the final in Prague.I believe the team is very strong, Pala told reporters.Like in last years finals, the Czechs will miss ninth-ranked Lucie Safarova, who is recovering from a bacterial infection that has been plaguing her since last September.Romania will in turn miss world number two Simona Halep, who is due to undergo a nose surgery.Haleps absence makes us the favourites but we have to beware, they (Romania) have shown in the past they can play very well even without Halep, said Pala.

Tennis: Sharapova must play Fed Cup or miss Olympics - federation

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MOSCOW (AFP) - Russias tennis federation chief on Tuesday warned Maria Sharapova she must play for the Fed Cup team or risk missing out on the Rio Olympics in August.Sharapova said that she is unlikely to play for Russia in the Fed Cup opening round against Netherlands on February 6-7, after crashing out of the Australian Open on Tuesday. If Sharapova wants to compete at the Olympics she has to play for Russia in the Fed Cup, the R-Sport agency quoted tennis boss Shamil Tarpishchev as saying.Thats the rule and she needs either to play against Netherlands or in Russias next Fed Cup match if we manage to go through.Sharapova, 28, was dumped out of the Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-1 defeat to Serena Williams in the quarter-finals, after which the former world number one complained of a niggling forearm injury.In the wake of her defeat Sharapova said she was unlikely to compete for Russia in the next Fed Cup clash as she needed to rest. Im going to go and take care of my forearm first. I think thats really important, Sharapova said.Im going to go to Moscow, be part of the team. I dont think Ill be playing. Then Im not sure.However, the Russia tennis supremo has called on the countrys top player -- who won a silver medal at the London Games in 2012 -- to reconsider her choice. If she withdraws from playing with Netherlands and we lose the match she will not play at the Olympics, Tarpishchev said. Probably Sharapova has issued her statement too rashly. I think she and her managers should consider their decision once again.Earlier this month, Russias team captain Anastasia Myskina said the world number five had confirmed she would play, alongside Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ekaterina Makarova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Football: FIFA confirms final five for presidential vote

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ZURICH (AFP) - FIFA on Tuesday confirmed the final five candidates to take over from the banned Sepp Blatter as head of the world body one month from the vote.FIFAs electoral committee said that Prince Ali bin al Hussein, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Tokyo Sexwale and Jerome Champagne had all been admitted for the final campaigning.The vote, caused by Blatters decision to stand down amid growing scandal, will be held in Zurich on February 26.The Ad-hoc Electoral Committee has formally admitted and declared the candidates eligible for the election of the office of FIFA president at the extraordinary FIFA Congress, said a letter sent to all 209 member associations on Tuesday.While Sheikh Salman, head of the Asian Football Confederation, and Infantino, the UEFA general secretary, are seen as the frontrunners, all five are involved in a frantic hunt for votes.Sheikh Salman said Monday that he could invite Infantino, or English Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore to be FIFA secretary general if he wins.Infantino and Prince Ali, a former FIFA vice president from Jordan, were at a South American confederation, CONMEBOL, congress in Asuncion on Tuesday seeking support.

Football: Japan, South Korea qualify for Olympics, Qatar miss out

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DOHA (AFP) - Asian footballing giants Japan and South Korea qualified for the Rio Olympics and progressed to the final of the U-23 AFC championships with semi-final victories in Doha on Tuesday.Both needed late goals with Japan scoring with virtually the last kick of the game to beat Iraq 2-1 and South Korea scoring twice in the last five minutes to shatter hosts Qatars dream of appearing in the final and qualifying for the Olympics for the first time since 1992.It is the 10th time Japan have qualified for the Olympics and the seventh for South Korea.Japan scraped through in the first semi-final thanks to Riki Harakawas fine left-foot finish in the 93rd minute.Yuya Kobo had given Japan the lead in the first half but that was wiped out at the end of 45 minutes by Iraqs Saad Nitaq.There was more late drama in the second semi-final, when a dull game sparked to life after half-time.South Korea took the lead early in the second-half thanks to an error from Qatars goalkeeper Muhammad Naim.He rushed from his area to try to halt an attack but was left stranded some 30 yards from goal after being beaten to the ball by Ryo Seungwoo.That sparked a frenetic final period with Qatars Ahmed Alla prompting wild scenes in Al Sadd stadium as his volley made it 1-1 with barely 10 minutes left.Qatar poured forward for a winner and at that point looked the team most likely to get through to the final but a counter attack in the 89th minute saw Kwon Changhoon convert a cross and then with the last kick of the match victory was secured by Moon Changhin.The final will take place on January 30.Qatar and Iraq will meet in the third place play-off on January 29, with the winner claiming the last AFC berth in Rio.Among the 11,000-plus crowd in Doha on Tuesday was former Chelsea club doctor, Eva Carneiro. Earlier this month she began a constructive dismissal case in London against the English league champions after leaving Stamford Bridge last year.She had been criticised by Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho after treating Eden Hazard on the pitch in the opening game of the season against Swansea, which led to her being relieved of first-team duties.Mourinho has also subsequently left Chelsea.Asked why she was in Qatar, Carneiro replied: No comment.

Football: Barca confident Neymar will extend contract

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BARCELONA (AFP) - Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said Tuesday he was confident that Brazilian star Neymar would commit to the Catalan giants beyond his current contract in 2018.Asked at the teams press conference if the Brazil captain was ready to extend his stay in Barcelona, Luis Enrique said: I believe so, yes.Neymar, 23, has himself remained vague concerning his future plans, and after stating last month that he was in talks with the club concerning a new contract, he added: I dont know, life is very long.This has lead to speculation of a possible move, including to Liga rivals Real Madrid, with his release clause estimated at 190 million euros ($205m). English side Manchester United also tried to approach the player last year.In recent months Neymars father has let it be known that his son will only extend with Barca if fiscal stability was re-established with the players 2013 transfer currently being investigated for alleged tax fraud.Neymar missed Saturdays 2-1 league win at Malaga because of muscle pain but should line up in Wednesdays Cup quarter-final return-leg tie against Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou.He feels very good and there is no risk (of relapse), said Luis Enrique. He trained and is in perfect shape to play.

Golf: World number one Spieth ready to take on Singapore Open

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SINGAPORE (AFP) - World number one Jordan Spieth is gunning for nothing less than winning the SMBC Singapore Open when the tournament tees off Thursday, but could face tough a challenge from some of Asias best.The American put aside earlier complaints of exhaustion after a T-5 finish at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Sunday and said he will be fit and ready for the event at the Sentosa Golf Clubs Serapong Course.Spieth is in the city-state for his seventh oversees tournament in nearly four months, but barely 24 hours after his arrival the 22-year-old said he has not reached the point of slowing down.There was certainly fatigue at the end of Sunday at Abu Dhabi, and all it takes is a couple days of rest and I am back, said the 2015 US Open and Masters champion.I was very pleased with my form there last week, but I just didnt make anything out of it and that happens, he told reporters.Spieth said he was let down by his usually reliable short game that left him five strokes behind compatriot and eventual winner Rickie Fowler.All he needs is to refresh and work on his putters before taking on the Singapore Open, which returns after a three-year hiatus under a new sponsor, Japans Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.I am easy, I just need a couple days of rest because I am always excited for a tournament round and never once teed up where I felt I wanted the round to end. I have always been extremely excited about the next hole, the next opportunity to make birdie, he said.I love to play golf. It is just what I love to do. My body has been tired before, so there is no problem picking myself up for this week.Singapores heat and humidity are unlikely to bother Spieth as the climate is similar to that of his home state of Texas in the summer, but he said the windy conditions might affect his play.The course is also tricky, Spieth said, and he has very little time to soak in all the information.Looking at the yardage book, he said, there is a lot of trouble, a lot of water hazards and really, really long par fours. The greens are massive, so I am going to go out there and work on my speed control to make sure I wont be three putting. But the goal is to win this week.But victory is not a foregone conclusion for Spieth.Indias Jeev Milkha Singh, the 2008 Singapore Open winner and now ranked 876th, said more Asian players are winning on golfs biggest stage and believes a few of them are capable of putting up a challenge.An Asian has not won the tournament since Singhs feat eight years ago.The tournament is offering a minimum prize purse of $1.0 million.It was formerly one of Asias richest with a $6.0 million purse when last held in November 2012. The tournament was cancelled in 2013 after British bank Barclays chose not to renew its sponsorship.

Tennis: Djokovic, Federer set up dream semi-final

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Novak Djokovic hammered an off-key Kei Nishikori and Roger Federer put on a masterclass against Tomas Berdych as they set up a dream semi-final at the Australian Open on Tuesday.Defending champion Djokovic recovered strongly from his five-set struggle against Gilles Simon as he ousted Nishikori 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, after Federer swept aside Berdych 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-4.Djokovic is seeking his 11th Grand Slam title while Federer, 34, is looking to extend his record tally to 18 -- and both will want to take charge of their head-to-head, which is locked at 22-22.Any round (against Federer) feels like a final because of the fact that we are, you know, big rivals, we played so many times against each other, Djokovic said. Theres a lot of tension. Theres a lot at stake. Im expecting a great fight in two days.Both players will have a close eye on Wednesdays quarter-finals pitting Andy Murray against David Ferrer and Milos Raonic against Gael Monfils.Djokovic will start as favourite against Federer after he beat him in the Wimbledon and US Open finals last year on his way to winning three Grand Slam titles and finishing runner-up at the French Open.The Serb made 100 unforced errors and was pushed all the way in Sundays five-set struggle with Simon, but he said a day away from tennis had done him the world of good.I didnt practice yesterday. I didnt hit a tennis ball, he said. It happens sometimes, its actually good to rest your mind, rest your body. Less is more sometimes.Thursdays semi-final promises to be a test of Djokovics continued dominance of mens tennis, after his achievement in losing only one Grand Slam match last season.In a sign of the pairs hold on mens tennis, Federer is into his 39th Grand Slam semi-final while Djokovic has 29. They were both on court for little over two hours on Tuesday.Djokovic only hit 11 groundstroke winners in disposing of Nishikori, who made a total of 54 unforced errors and had his service broken six times.I think today was more (about) my game. I was missing too much, especially first couple sets. Lost many easy games, said Nishikori, who was also troubled by a leg injury.I couldnt make him work hard today. I mean, yes, he played good. But I couldnt play good tennis today.Earlier Federer reached his 12th Australian Open semi-final in 13 years with a clinical straight-sets win over Berdych in two hours, 16 minutes.The Swiss has high hopes he can add a fifth Australian Open title, even though his last Grand Slam success was back at Wimbledon in 2012.It means a lot. Its part of the reason why Im still playing, Federer said. I feel like Im competitive at the top. I can beat all the guys on tour.Its nice now that in the last three Slams that Ive been as consistent as I have been.Federer said he was enjoying his tennis after adding former world number three Ivan Ljubicic to his coaching team, along with long-time mentor Severin Luthi.Im playing good tennis, fun tennis for me anyway. I really enjoy being able to come to the net more like back in the day.So Im very pleased. It would mean a lot to me (to win more Slams), no doubt about it.The world number three had few concerns against the strong-serving Berdych and extended his career record to 16-6 to deny the Czech a third straight semi-final appearance in Melbourne.

Tennis: Radwanska blasts into Australian Open semis

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Fired-up fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska blasted into her fifth career Grand Slam semi-final Tuesday with a dominant straight-sets mauling of Carla Suarez at the Australian Open.The Spanish 10th seed was no match for the popular and composed Pole whose never-say-die attitude helped her dictate the physical encounter and romp home 6-1, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena.It is the 26-year-olds second semi at Melbourne Park and she will play either world number one Serena Williams or fifth seed and former champion Maria Sharapova for a place in the final.That pair take to the court later Tuesday, with Williams holding an ominous 17-0 record over the Russian dating back to 2004.Im very very pleased, I knew it would be tough because she is solid, like all Spanish players, said Radwanska.I tried to be aggressive and focused on my serve. I think I did a good job. Im happy to be playing my best tennis every match.Radwanska, who is now on a 13-match win streak, including the Shenzhen Open title this month, had rallied back from the brink of defeat in the fourth round, but it was far easier on Tuesday.Both wearing pink, Radwanska coolly took an early advantage when Suarez hit a double fault to hand her a break point. A deep service return saw the Spaniard scoop a forehand wide to allow the Pole to go 1-0 up.Ahead of the match Suarez said she was familiar with Radwanskas tactics, but she had trouble reading them under the blazing sun as the Pole pushed her around the court.The fourth seed comfortably held then broke again as the usually resourceful Suarez, 27, sent a loose backhand long to be in full control.The Spaniard finally got off the mark by holding serve to stay in touch a 1-4 down but with the sweat pouring off Suarez, Radwanska kept calm to break again and romp to the set in just 24 minutes.She was on a mission and at the start of the second set, she easily held serve before breaking again with the match in danger of becoming a one-sided affair.But Suarez broke back in the third game, reviving memories of her fourth round clash when she rallied from losing the first set against Daria Gavrilova 6-0 to fight back and win the match.It was short-lived with Radwanska bouncing straight back to break again but the momentum kept shifting as they traded breaks.The Spaniard managed to hold on during a long sixth game but Radwanska grabbed the decisive break to storm 5-3 in front and served out for the match.Suarez was bidding to make her first Grand Slam semi on her 29th attempt, and despite defeat her exploits are expected to see her return to the top 10. She is currently ranked 11.Radwanska also had plenty of reasons to keep her run going, with her progression to the semis expected to see her move above Garbine Muguruza to world number three when the rankings come out next week.The composed Pole, who shows few emotions on court, won the biggest title of her career at the WTA Finals in Singapore last year, with an even bigger one now up for grabs in Melbourne.

Tennis: Zhang goes from ball girl to verge of semi-finals

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai said she was acting as ball girl for Sam Stosur just days ago -- before a fairytale run which has left her on the verge of the Australian Open semi-finals.Zhang, ranked 133rd in the world, hadnt won a Grand Slam match in 14 attempts before this month but she has now put together the best run by a Chinese player since the retirement of Li Na.The 27-year-old had a stroke of fortune in the fourth round when Madison Keys was badly hampered by injury, and her quarter-final is kindly too as she will face unseeded Briton Johanna Konta.With both Zhang and Konta playing their first Grand Slam quarter-final, Wednesdays match presents a tremendous opportunity for either player to extend their campaign into the last four.For Zhang, its a mesmerising turn of events since she was picking up balls for Australias Stosur, the 2011 US Open champion, before the tournament.She was playing against a left-hander in the first round. My coach is left-handed. We talked, (and said) maybe Sam needs a left-hander to warm up, Zhang said.Because my coach always picks up ball for me, I wanted to also one time pick up balls for my coach, she explained.The training session didnt do the trick for Stosur, who lost to southpaw Kristyna Pliskova in the first round, while Zhang started by stunning world number two Simona Halep and has not looked back.Reaction so far in China has been muted, but it will explode if there are signs that Zhang could follow Li by becoming the countrys second Grand Slam singles champion.Li Na did you see this? Go China said one user on Chinas Twitter-like Weibo, where footage of Zhangs latest win gathered more than 1,000 messages of support.China needs this kind of talent. I hope you can continue on like this, and bring more glory to your country, wrote another.China has been waiting for an heir to the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open winner who retired in late 2014, although few would have tagged Zhang as the next player to break through.Zhangs current ranking makes her fourth in the list of Chinese players. She has only one title to her name, from Guangzhou in 2013, and achieved her career-high ranking of 30 in July 2014.However Zhang, who has been working with the Chinese Tennis Association since she was 12, could be a late bloomer in the mould of Li, who was 29 when she won the 2011 French Open.As for Konta, she is maintaining the upward trend set when she reached last years US Open fourth round, the highlight of a break-out season when she leapt more than 100 rankings places.The 24-year-old, ranked 47th, was once known for her nervous disposition but she has been serenely cool in Melbourne, notably in her tense three-setter with Ekaterina Makarova in the last round.She praised Zhangs incredible journey -- but said there was point comparing the Chinese players progress with her own.I think Shuai Zhang is actually on a bit more of an incredible journey than myself. She won her first main draw match at a Slam. I think thats an incredibly special moment, Konta said.Shes still in the event here. Shes come from qualifying. I think shes doing unbelievably well. So all credit to her for that. (But) in terms of comparing my journey to hers, thats a very irrelevant question for me to answer.

Former Federal Minister's brother arrested for fraudulent cheques

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MULTAN (Dunya News) – Former Federal Minister Mirza Nasir Baig’s brother Mirza Akbar Baig was arrested by the police Wednesday for giving fraudulent cheques to his former wife.Akbar’s former wife had submitted a complaint saying that her ex-husband had submitted her two cheques worth Rs. 50 lac each which were fake, upon which police conducted action and registered a case for fraud against the former Minister’s brother and arrested him.Police officials say that an interrogation with the suspect was underway.

Police clash turns suspicious as families of alleged suspects protest

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – A police clash that occurred earlier in Sher Shah turned suspicious Wednesday as families of the injured alleged suspects protested against the police in Jinnah hospital. Family members of the injured suspects say that police had arrested them by allegedly stopping them and shooting the young suspects in their feet.According to the families of the apparent suspects, police had opened fire on two motorcycles riding youngsters for not stopping at a blockade and then falsely accused them of being robbers. One of the suspect Mohammad Farid’s mother said that her son is a driver for a private company while the other, Zakir Hussain is a cleaner and his son’s helper.The case appears to be dubious even as the families protest.On the other hand, police did not respond to the claims immediately about the encounter with the alleged dacoits.
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