September 18, 2007	Tuesday	Ramazan 05, 1428

GUJRANWALA, Sept 17: Heirs to about 1,700 government employees have been denied benevolent fund payment for the last one year. Widows of government officials along with their children have protested against non-payment and demanded early release of funds.

Reports said the provincial government did not release benevolent funds for 2005-06 so far as a result widows and their children were facing financial problems.

When contacted, the respective district officer said the department had made a requisition of Rs35 million, but received Rs20 million from the provincial government. Outstanding dues of 800 destitute were cleared with this amount. “If the government releases the remaining funds all people will be made payment.”

He said the government officials appointed on contract were not entitled to the benevolent fund.

HUMAN SMUGGLERS: A team of federal investigation agency (FIA) on Monday arrested two human smugglers during raids at Lalamusa and Shadiwal (Gujrat).

Agency passport cell additional-director Husain Asghar received information that accused Rizwan Aslam and Qari Aslam were present at their houses. He directed FIA inspector Mian Sabir to arrest them.

An FIA official said the accused had sent several people to Greece and Spain illegally who were later deported.

The accused were wanted in a dozen cases of human smuggling and preparation of fake documents.