03 May 2004	Monday	12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

GUJRANWALA, May 2: The government policy of 'free education for all' is being implemented strictly in the province, and the parents, failing to send their children to school, will be sent to jail.

This was claimed by provincial transport minister Rana Shamshad Ahmad Khan after giving free textbooks at a school here on Sunday. He said the provision of free textbooks to students would be helpful in enhancing the literacy rate as the government had already announced relaxation in school fee.

He said Rs150 million would be given to every district for the promotion of education, and it was an opportunity for the parents to send their children to school for their bright future.

He claimed the education standard in state-run institutions was improving and the people had started shifting their children to public sector schools from the private ones.

MOVEMENT: The PML-N will launch a country-wide movement against the government if it bars party chief Shahbaz Sharif from landing or deported him. This was stated by party's Punjab chief organizer Ghulam Dastgir Khan while speaking at a meeting here on Sunday.

He claimed that some 10,000 partymen, led by ex-MNAs and MPAs, would reach Lahore airport to welcome their leader. He accused the government of victimizing its political rivals. He said the government could not stop Shahbaz from coming to Pakistan according to the law.

He demanded that ARD president and party's acting chief Javed Hashami should be released instantly.

SUICIDE: A youth committed suicide in Qila Dedar Singh here on Sunday. Imran quarrelled with his parents and swallowed pills. He was taken to the local DHQ hospital where he breathed his last.