August 08, 2007	Wednesday	Rajab 23, 1428

ATTOCK, Aug 7: The National Assembly on Tuesday constituted a committee, headed by Minister of State for Environment, Malik Amin Aslam, to probe the explosion in a gas pipeline in Attock district last month which claimed five lives.

The committee was set up after the approval of a motion tabled by the junior minister before the National Assembly seeking a thorough investigation into the reasons of the explosion, the state minister told this reporter.

Six persons including two children, sustained burn injuries in the gas explosion at Qutba village on July 15.

Five of them died of their injuries at the burn unit of POF hospital Wah. While the condition of the only survivor is stated to be critical.

The Hazro Police had registered a case against two officials of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), including Executive Officer SNGPL, Aurang Zaib Khan and Sub Engineer Shoaib Khan on July 23 for their alleged negligence as the explosion occurred due to poor safety measures before opening the newly laid gas supply pipeline at the village.

Later, the police arrested Sub Engineer Shoaib Khan and further investigation is still underway.

Power lines stolen

Some unknown thieves have stolen electricity wires near Basal on Monday night.

Police said some unidentified thieves had cut hundreds of meters power line from seven electric poles during loadshedding late Monday night near Basal village, causing power suspension for long hours at the Basal village and other surrounding areas.

The Basal Police have registered a theft case against the unknown persons on the report of local Wapda officials.