Daily Times

GUJRANWALA: Gujranwala Division Commissioner Asadullah Faiz on Tuesday planted a sapling in the University of Central Punjab under the Prime Minister’s initiative of “Green Pakistan”.

He said that planting trees was our national duty as they could reduce flash floods and other natural disasters. Deputy Commissioner Dr Shoaib Tariq Warriach, Additional Deputy Commissioner general Dr Rabia Riasat, Director Punjab Group of Colleges Professor Muhamamd Shahzad Rafiq, teachers and a large number of students also participated in the ceremony.

Commissioner said that the world has been facing environmental challenges and Pakistan has been ranked at 7th place on the list of most polluted countries. “Trees and plants are the primary source of air purification and natural beautification,” he said, adding that it was not the government’s job only, but entire nation must participate in the national cause. He said the purpose of the campaign was to encourage people, communities, organisations, business and industry, civil society to collectively plant trees. He appreciated zeal of students towards tree plantation and said that youths possess great potential and spirit to change society for development and prosperity of Pakistan.

Punjab Colleges Director Shahzad Rafiq said that about 2.5 million saplings would be planted by the Punjab colleges while only five thousand could be planted so far.

Residents protest against police for failing to take action against land mafia

Dozens of residents of Wazirabad protested in front of the City Police Officer’s (CPO) office on Tuesday against police for not taking action against land mafia. The protesters alleged that some influential persons have occupied a graveyard’s land illegally while local police did not take any action against them. They further alleged that the Wazirabad police had arrested five suspects but later released them all. The protesters chanted slogans against police and demanded concerned authorities to take action against them and recover graveyard’s land from the possession of illegal occupiers.

FIA foils mobile phone smuggling bid, arrests seven passengers

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) teams on Tuesday conducted raid on the Sialkot Airport and arrested seven passengers from two flights from Sharjah to Sialkot and seized 3,454 expensive cell phones from their possession. FIA spokesperson told the media that suspects including Muhammad Yasin, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Latif, Yousaf Khilji, Shahzad, Muhammad Yawar and Waheeda Sultana have confessed their crime of smuggling cell phones with their accomplices including the custom superintendent Tayyab and police constable Anwar during preliminary investigation. He said that FIA detained police constable as well but custom officer managed to flee from the spot.

Minister for Minorities offers condolences to family of Fraz Masih

Provincial Minister for Minorities Ejaz Alam on Tuesday offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Fraz Masih over his sad demise in an acid attack in Gujranwala. The minister visited the deceased’s house and met his parents. He assured that the suspect would soon be arrested. Fraz Masih along with his friend was injured in an acid attack a few days ago and later succumbed to his injuries in a hospital.

Published in Daily Times, September 19^th 2018.