October 25, 2007	Thursday	Shawwal 12, 1428

MUZAFFARGARH, Oct 24: The district administration plans a cycling path along the railway track near the railway station to boost the sport in the district, Dawn has learnt.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Dr Akhtar Nazir Warraich told Dawn on Wednesday that the track would be the second one in the province as the first one was in Lahore.

He said railway land along the railway station would be utilised for the lane and the district government had sent a proposal for the track to senior railway officials for a no-objection certificate (NOC). After the NOC, work on the path will be started. The DCO said he hoped work would start in the next month.

De Warraich also said a cycling championship would be held at the track every year.

Cycling competitions were a permanent feature of the district events but the event died down because of lack official interest and the last championship was held six years ago. Local cyclists have welcomed the plan.

The DCO said he also planned a folk music concert, a poetry recitation event and Kabaddi matches next month or in December. He said the district had an abundant talent which should be given a platform to express itself.

He said that about 2 per cent of tehsil council budgets had been allocated for community welfare programmes and entertainment.

The musical programme will continue four days wherein local singers will perform.

District Bar Association President Zubaidussalam Sherwani said there was a need of hour to hold entrainment programmes for the public as the district was suffering from depression and man-made problems. He said if the DCO went ahead with his plans, it would help create a good environment in the area.

BOYCOTT: The District Bar Association boycotted court proceedings on Wednesday in protest against an attack on woman lawyer Zubaida Khanum on Tuesday.

Her husband Hanan and brother-in-law allegedly attacked her on the District Court’s premises over the possession of a chamber. She is under treatment at the District Headquarters hospital in Muzaffargarh, where she is improving.

Lawyers met District Police Officer Maqsoodul Hassan and demanded arrest of the accused soon. They said attack on a lawyer on the court premises was not acceptable to them.