LAHORE: Vote count started following the completion of polling for by-election in NA-55 constituency here amid cries of foul play by Chief of Awami Muslim League, Sheikh Rashid, Geo News reported Wednesday.

Unofficial results that have started pouring in show Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate Shakil Awan in clear lead over Sheikh Rashid in a neck-and-neck competition between the two.

During the day a couple of incidents of fight were reported. However, the overall law and order situation remained satisfactory.

Pakistan Muslim League-N in reaction to Sheikh Rashid’s allegations of rigging said the latter is raising hue and cry as a way of face saving in view of his defeat in sight.

Early morning rain in the city affected the polling arrangements but later voters starting coming out as clouds started to clear the sky. The turnout grew with time and picked momentum towards the end of polling hours.

The overall situation remained peaceful throughout the polling except for a few separate incidents of fights reported during the day.

Blaming the state machinery for alleged rigging, Sheikh Rashid said PML-N may go ahead and do whatever it wants, he will prove himself a tough competition.

Meanwhile, Jamat-e-Islam candidate Dr. Kamal expressed satisfaction on the election process and advised Sheikh Rashid to come forward with evidence of the alleged rigging.

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid survived an armed attack on his election office here on Monday.

Sheikh Rashid received minor injuries on his leg when he fell on the ground at the time of the attack. However, four of his guards were killed in the attack.

Armed assailants carrying Kalashnikov(s) attacked Sheikh Rashid outside his election office when he was heading on foot to attend a public meeting.

Eaerlier, Javed Qureshi, the personal assistant of Sheikh Rashid confirmed the attack while talking to Geo News from 1122 ambulance in which Sheikh Rashid was being shifted to hospital.

President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered inquiry into the attack and submission of its report immediately.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also ordered the commissioner and RPO to investigate into the incident.

Some of the bullets hit the Land Cruiser of Sheikh Rashid shattering its window panes.

Later, workers of AML took to the streets to protest the attack.

Police investigation of an accidental death of the retired army officer, who was struck by the motorcade of the Chief Secretary of Punjab, last week, is being termed ‘partial’ and ‘unfair’ by Pakistani media.

Issue has become so intense that Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer had to personally visit the residence of the victim. Talking to media afterwards Salman Taseer said that there seems to be “the law of jungle” prevalent in the province he is supposed to govern.

Colonel Retired Muhammad Ikram died in CM Hospital Lahore after he was allegedly hit by Punjab Chief Secretary Javed Mehmood’s car. Col Muhammad Ikram (retired), was on his way to the Allama Iqbal University sub-campus on a motorcycle when he was allegedly struck by the car of Chief Secretary Javed Mahmood near Girja Chowk in Lahore.

The chief secretary was returning from Lahore airport after seeing-off Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani .

According to media reports Chief Secretary Javed Mehmood left the retired colonel critically injured on the road. After the hit-and-run incident , the victim was rushed to CM Hospital where he died.

Azam Ikram, son of the deceased, told an Urdu language news channel “Express News” that his family will spare no expense, and knock every door to seek justice.

The investigation team, probing into the death of Colonel (Retd) Ikram was quick in declaring the Chief Secretary Punjab and his driver ‘not guilty’.

Family of the deceased has declared the investigations ‘partial’ and ‘un-fair’.

The investigation team declared the Chief Secretary and his driver ‘not guilty’ as their vehicle was withing speed limit, and alleged that Col Ikram had violated the traffic signal. The report also claims that the traffic warden and gunmen of the Chief Secretary took the injured Colonel to the CM Hospital.

The family of the deceased remains unsatisfied as they were not included in the investigation. Azam Ikram, son of late Col Ikram said, “justice cannot be served till the Chief Secretary is removed from his post.”

Punjab Chief Secretary Javed Mehmood’s car, involved in the accident was impounded by the police for investigations after media questioned why was the motorcycle held by the authority and not Chief Secretary’s car.

Following criticism by the media Lahore Police has arrested driver allegedly responsible for the accident.

Talking to media after visiting victim’s residence Governor Salman Taseer said that the Chief Secretary should be suspended and an independent inquiry should be carried out to probe the death of retired Army Officer.

Answering to a question, the governor said that he could not understand why the Chief Secretary was in such a hurry.

Criticizing the inquiry team probing the incident, Salman Taseer said that even FIR was not registered which is the right of every citizen

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, signaling an abject sugar crisis looming over Pakistan, has asked Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to get the directives issued to Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCoP) for import of sugar in the earliest possible ease, Geo news reported on Wednesday (30-Dec-09).

In a letter written to PM Gilani, CM Punjab said sugar mills are producing sugar below production capacity owing to low supply of sugar cane, which might result in shortage of 1.2 metric tonnes of sugar in 2010.

He also voiced serious concern over likely surge in sugar prices by dint of shortage in markets, which is already selling at Rs53 in Punjab provin