6, April 2005	Wednesday	26 Safar 1426

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SARGODHA, April 5: The Punjab government has directed the officials concerned to include women in the mini-marathons scheduled to be held here on April 8 (Friday). It has assured the organizers that those, who would attempt to sabotage the sport, would be dealt with an iron fist. Earlier, District Sports Officer Mehr Abdul Rasheed had issued a press statement, stating that no female contestant would participate in the marathon. The statement was released after the Gujranwala incident.

On the other hand, MMA leaders, including Mehmoodul Hassan Sujra, Dr Arshad and Shaheen Ehsan Mughal, said at a press conference the alliance was not against participation of female contestants in games, but these should not be against Islamic code of conduct.

They, however, insisted that they would not allow a combined race (including men and women) under the pretext of marathon.

They said they would not bother what action the administration had planned to take to stop the MMA activists from interfering in the sport. The Gujranwala incident, they said, was a mere trailer.

The MMA leaders further added: “If the Punjab government will stick to its stand to promote unIslamic activities, the MMA will not hesitate to stop these by force.”

Initially, the public was equally keen on watching the marathon being held here for the first time, but now seeing the organizers’ reluctance and stern attitude of the MMA they had lost their interest.

Meanwhile, a handout quoted Punjab Sports Minister Sardar Naeemullah Khan Shahani as clarifying that the schedule for the mini-marathons to be held across the province will go as it is.

Jhelum: The river Jhelum is posing a danger to low-lying areas from Bhera to Sahiwal, and inhabitants of villages, including Gulabgarh, Attas, Tibi, Mustar, Wadhan, Chilar and Gaga, say their standing crops have been damaged owing to the overflowing river water.

The villages along the river bank in the area of Sahiwal tehsil are also facing a similar situation, but neither the district government nor any other agency has adopted any precautionary measure to save them.

MNA Inamul Haq Piracha alleged that the government had not extended any help to the people living along the river bank as they had not voted in favour of its nominee in the elections.

However, the district Nazim and the Bhalwal tehsil Nazim were not available for comments.