Daily Times

The Anti-Corruption Establishment’s (ACE) branch in Gujranwala on Thursday arrested former director general (DG) of the Gujranwala Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Tariq Kareem Khokhar over charges of corruption and misuse of authority.

Reportedly, ACE Regional Director Fareed Ahmed told the media that ACE investigation teams were probing into four cases against Tariq Kareem Khokhar.

According to details, citizens Rana Muhammad Shahid and Khalid Hijazi had filed application with the ACE accusing the former DG of favouring allotment of advertisement boards’ tenders to his benefactors without fulfilling legal requirements, and causing a massive loss to government exchequer.

Another citizen Muhammad Atif alleged in his application that the PHA had no proper record of hoarding boards’ installations in the city, and accused the former DG of allotting hoarding boards’ installations without obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the department while no fee was deposited in the state’s account.

PHA CBA union president Abid Latif Butt had also submitted an application accusing the former DG Tariq Kareem Khokhar, director administration Ahad Dogar, assistant director Shabbir Chattha, three other officials and five contractors of embezzling Rs 70 million while purchasing plants, grass, silt, fertiliser and seed.

Following inquiries, sufficient evidences were found against the accused officer.

Consequently, ACE team arrested the former DG from his residence in Lahore, while other officer managed to disappear.

Teams have been formed to arrest them.

Three people commit suicide over domestic issues

Three people including two women on Thursday ended their life over certain domestic issues in Gujranwala.

Reportedly, Javeria, a resident of Kot Shera, quarreled with her husband, and got disheartened and committed suicide by swallowing poison.

Meanwhile, Imran also quarreled with his family members and swallowed poisonous pills.

He was rushed to a hospital where he died.

In another incident, Ehsanullah Ansari’s wife, a resident of Gakhar, committed suicide by jumping in front of a speedy train.

EDP seals four factories in anti-smog drive in Gujranwala

In an ongoing crackdown against smog, four factories were sealed by the Environment Protection Department (EPD) on Thursday, whereas 20 vehicles were fined by traffic police in Gujranwala.

Reportedly, following stern directives issued by the deputy commissioner of Gujranwala, teams of the EPD visited various areas and sealed four factories including Suleman Aluminum Works, Nasir Lead Melting Works, Naseem Butt Aluminum Works and Lasani Foundry.

Meanwhile, traffic police fined 20 vehicles for emitting smoke.

Published in Daily Times, September 12^th 2018.