SWABI: The local police on Thursday registered an FIR against Adnan Khan, brother of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar, over an alleged clash with additional assistant commissioner Khaliqdad Khan.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of Khaliqdad.

Adnan reportedly had a physical fight with Khaliqdad lately after a heated exchange in the latter’s office over the arrest of traders during an anti-encroachment campaign.

However, Adnan secured the pre-arrest bail from a local court after the registration of an FIR. Sources said among the arrested traders were three butchers from Marghuz, the village of the provincial assembly’s speaker.

They said Adnan had gone to the AAC offices and demanded the release of butchers but the AAC said he would look into the matter before making a decision.

Sources said afterwards, Adnan Khan sought the report of inquiry against a patwari, who was expelled from the district by the administration.

They said the administration rejected the demand saying the report would be submitted to the deputy commissioner, who would forward it to the relevant provincial authorities for action. However, Adnan claimed he was mishandled by the members of the AAC office staff when he demanded the release of poor butchers.

“I live in England and didn’t know about local complicated issues and only went to the AAC offices to seek the release of butchers,” he said. Local PTI leaders said efforts had been underway to resolve the matter amicably. “We hope the issue will be resolved,” said a PTI leader.

Meanwhile, leaders of some political parties and representatives of various unions of government employees demanded immediate arrest of Adnan Khan over the clash with the AAC. They alleged PTI leaders interfered with administration’s affairs to increase their political influence in the district.

Former provincial minister Sitara Ayaz demanded judicial inquiry into the matter.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DEMANDED: The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) employees in Zaida sub-division brought an injured lineman to the offices of the Xen-2 district headquarters and demanded financial assistance for his treatment. Lineman Sultan Bahadar from Zaida city had suffered injuries a few weeks ago in the line of duty. He had fallen off an electricity pole, critically injuring his back.

His family said it had already spent over Rs 0.3 million on his treatment but the Pesco failed to provide any financial help to him. It said it was unable to bear treatment cost.

The Pesco employees warned if the administration failed to provide financial assistance to the lineman within two weeks, they would start a pen-down strike across the district.

However, the administration promised serious consideration into the demand. The employees later dispersed peacefully and took the lineman to his house.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2014