JHANG, Oct 16: A proposed transfer of three union councils of Jhang tehsil to Sahiwal tehsil in Sargodha district is rejected by a majority of the population living in that area.

Local MPA Ghulam Ahmed Gadi, who has forwarded the proposal, envisages the annexation of three union councils — Dhoriwala, Nadha Ghar and Chatta to Sahiwal tehsil. The proposal is under consideration of the Punjab government as a top priority matter and a decision to this effect is likely to be taken shortly.

But sources close to the MPA claim that the matter has been decided and only the modalities of the transfer are being worked out before a formal announcement by the provincial government.

The area, comprising one-and-a-half qanongo circle (Kot Issa Shah and half of Qadirpur) and some 50 villages, has been a part of Jhang district since its inception in 1850.

Some historical villages such as Kot Issa Shah, an important stopover and resting place for caravans on the Multan-Rawalpindi highway built by Shershah Suri, Bhon, Jhok Diya, Laive, Akrianwala and Bharo are situated in this area.

Politically, all three union council nazims, elected recently to their offices, are opposed to the transfer.

Dhoriwala UC Nazim-elect Malik Sher Muhammad Bughlera says the move would have a damaging affect upon the economy of Jhang district as a big industrial unit is located in Bhoon village of the Dhoriwala UC on Jhang-Sargodha Road.

He further says that annexation of this area to Sargodha will deprive Jhang district of a huge revenue earnings from the sugar mills.

The Jhang district, already facing the prospect of one of its major Chiniot tehsil, being separated from it, after its elevation to the district status, cannot afford any more depletions.

Even geographically, the proposal is not feasible as the district headquarters at Jhang is situated at a distance of about 50kms from it, compared to Sargodha which lies some 70kms from the area.

Mr Bughlera has suggested that a more workable alternative would be to elevate Shah Jewana, situated in close vicinity of this area, to the tehsil headquarters status, to give an easy access to the area people to the administration.