GUJRANWALA: Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Director General (DG) Hussain Asghar on Sunday issued stern directives to gear up investigations into mega corruption cases across the region. Reportedly, ACE Regional Director Sheikh Fareed Ahmed told the media that investigations regarding local bodies, public health and housing departments would be finalised on the priority basis. Meanwhile, ACE’s branch in Gujranwala has lodged corruption and misuse of authority cases against 10 officers employed in Khiali Shahpur and Qila Dedar Singh towns. He further stated that a citizen Haji Ramzan filed an application with the ACE accusing a member of land mafia Qayyum Niazi of constructing a plaza with the support of Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Khiali Shahpur without obtaining an approval from the competent authority. Another citizen filed an application accusing land grabbers of constructing dozens of commercial buildings including plazas and markets in Qila Dedar Singh and mentioned that no action was taken by the concerned authorities. During investigations, evidences suggested that town officers of Khiali Shahpur including Shahbaz Ahmed, Muhammad Akram, building inspector Sarfraz Munir and a land mafia member Qayyum Niaz were allegedly involved in construction of an illegal plaza. Furthermore, Qila Dedar Singh TOR Abdul Haroon, building inspector Ejaz Alvi, building enforcement inspectors including Sheikh Usman, Husnain and Ali Imran were involved in constructions of illegal commercial markets in the town area, causing a massive loss to government exchequer. After approvals from competent authorities, cases have been lodged against them. Robbers on a rampage Robbers and thieves went on the rampage across the district of Gujranwala as several incidents of armed robberies and burglaries were reported on Sunday. Reportedly, bandits snatched Rs 30,000, a gold chain and mobile phones from a citizen Farhan in the precinct of the Ladhewala Warriach area. In another incident, unidentified armed robber looted Rs 27,000 and jewelry set from a woman in Gujranwala’s Khiali area. Furthermore, bandits snatched Rs 50,000 from a woman in Ghakhar Mandi city. Moreover, burglars took away Rs 115,000, a gold chain and two mobile phones from Ghulam Haider at gunpoint in Sadar area of Wazirabad. In another daylight robbery incident, dacoits snatched Rs 100,000 and a mobile phone from Arshad Sheikh at gunpoint in Qila Dedar Singh area. Additionally, armed men looted Rs 17,000 and a motorcycle from a citizen Ejaz in Sohdra area, and following the incident bandits robbed Rs 300,000, gold ornaments and a cell phone from Hafiz Cheema in Sadar area. Robbers looted Rs 37,000 and a cell phone from a citizen javed at gunpoint in Cantt area. Robbers seized Rs 45,000 and valuables from Irfan in Sabzi Mandi area, and looted Rs 52,000, gold ornaments and cell phones from another citizen in Ferozwala Rehmat area. Furthermore, armed men snatched Rs 30,000, a gold chain and a cell phone from Faisal in Ghakhar Mandi area. Besides, armed men looted Rs 200,000, gold rings and a cell phone from another person Yousaf Aman in Ladhewala Warriach area, and following the incident swindlers took away Rs 40,000 and gold ornaments from a woman in Kotwali area. Man shot dead over ‘trivial’ issue in Gujranwala A man was shot dead on Sunday allegedly over a minor issue on GT road near Wapda town in Gujranwala. Reportedly, Fayyaz and Arsalan had fought three days ago and consequently in a fit of rage Arsalan and his accomplice opened fire on Fayyaz while he was returning home. Resultantly, he died on the spot while Sadar police have started investigation into the incident. Labourer saves lives of many people as petrol pump catches fire The petrol pump erupted into flames while petrol was being refilled in the pump on Ali Pur road in Gujranwala on Sunday. Reportedly, a labourer responded vigilantly and saved lives of many people. Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the spot and extinguished fire after two hours of operation. Published in Daily Times, October 1, 2018.