Multan, Sept 27: Pakistani police used warning shots, tear-gas and a baton-charge today to disperse a crowd protesting against the arrest of three members of a local deposit-taking company, witnesses said. Some 22 protesters from a crowd of more than 2,000 and seven policemen were injured in clashes yesterday and today in the Liaquatabad district of Multan City in Punjab province.
The clashes began when police last evening shut down the office of a "help committee," arrested three staffers and seized 35 million rupees (593,220 dollars).
A mob tried to free the three and police called in reinforcements.


More than 200 protesters attacked Multan railway station and smashed lights and seating while the Multan-Shujabad road was closed to traffic for seven hours.

Hamid Mukhtar Gondal, senior Superintendent of Police in Multan, said Tahir Sharif and two others were arrested in the public interest on suspicion of fraud.


Depositors said they had no complaints against the business, which was paying 44 per cent interest.

Sharif told reporters his deposits had swollen from 31 rupees to 35 million within a month. He denied defrauding customers but it was not clear how his company could earn such high interest.

Bureau Report