GUJRANWALA: Gujranwala Waste Management Company (GWMC) has proven to a perpetual white elephant that consumed salaries while the company officers and staff have failed to serve the citizens effectively.
Reportedly, massive piles of trash plague neighbourhoods across Gujranwala due to poor performance of GWMC, and a few days ago the company’s MD Khalid Bashir Butt resigned.
Moreover, the district administration has turned a blind eye to the situation.
Most streets are in a dilapidated condition while overflowing trash bins have caused serious issues for the public.
“The transmission of bacterial and viral diseases has escalated in the entire region while the ‘irresponsible’ and ‘careless’ authorities do not respond to the situation,” the residents complained.
During a survey, Daily Times witnessed piles of domestic waste, mounds of rubbish, plastic bags, bottles and construction waste material all over the city.
The residents further complained that the sanitary workers have been dumping the waste material along the roadsides while the foul smell emanating from the piles of trash and garbage is of a very high intensity causing a great deal of difficulty for the people to pass through.
Furthermore, they revealed that they had lodged complaints to the concerned departments many times but to no avail.
The sanitary workers have used to burn piles of domestic waste that released toxic fumes, and caused environment pollution and health issues for asthmatic patients.
“The filth dumped at roadsides can transmit dengue and malaria virus,” the residents said.
Contrarily, the GWMC spokesman claimed that the company is facing lack of funds while dozens of vehicles are dysfunctional and could not be repaired.
Meanwhile, the administration had directed the sanitation staff to keep the city clean.
Besides, he urged a dire need to launch a cleanliness campaign in the city for raising awareness among the people to dispose the waste properly.
Six people suffer food poisoning
Six members of a same family on Friday suffered food poisoning allegedly after taking a meal at Ferozwala in Gujranwala.
Reportedly, Ghulam Hussain, Yousaf, Muhammad Luqman, Jabran, Shama ate rice when they felt a stomach pain.
Consequently, they were rushed to DHQ Hospital.
FIA arrests eight human traffickers
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) teams on Friday arrested eight human traffickers during raids at Sialkot, Narowal and Gujranwala.
The FIA deputy director Mufakhir Adeel revealed that the accused including Sumair Ahmed, Riaz Ahmed, Hassan, Zeeshan, Aslam, Kashif, Akbar, Umer Javed and Suneel were involved in transporting people abroad illegally.
Meanwhile, further investigation is underway.
Anti-corruption files cases against stamp vendor, two civil officers in frauds
The anti-corruption department on Friday lodged cases against a stamp vendor two civil officers over charges of fraud and embezzlement of funds.
Reportedly, a citizen namely Farakh Shahzad filed an application accusing a stamp vendor namely Atta Ullah of selling him a fake stamp paper worth Rs 1,000.
Meanwhile, Akbarian girls elementary school teacher namely Rukhsana Rafiq alleged in her application that a clerk of deputy district education office namely Nadeem Ashraf withdrew her salary of four months fraudulently.
After investigations, anti-corruption officials lodged cases against the accused.
Meanwhile, further investigation is underway.
Caretaker government reshuffles bureaucracy
Newly appointed district and divisional officers on Friday assumed their charges.
Reportedly, the caretaker government has reshuffled many appointments of provincial, administrative and police officers.
Meanwhile, Asad Ullah Faiz has been appointed as Gujranwala Division Commissioner, Zulfiqar Hameed has assumed charge as regional police officer (RPO) of Gujranwala.
Furthermore, the deputy commissioner Dr Shoaib Tariq and the city police officer (CPO) Dr Moin Masood have also assumed their offices.
PFA seals seven eateries, imposes fine on dozens of food stalls
The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) teams on Friday sealed seven eateries and imposed fine of thousands of rupees on many shop keepers over food hygiene issues and poor standard of cleanliness. Reportedly, the eateries include Allah Hu milk shop, Ittefaq Nimko, Sialkot sweets located at faisal road and Fareed town, Nadeem bakery, Adam G sweets etc.
The PFA teams imposed fine and issued warning notices to dozens of shop owners to ensure implementation of Food Safety Act.
Published in Daily Times, June 23rd 2018.