May 22, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1429

GUJRANWALA, May 21: The factory owners who were not paying social security and better emoluments to their workers have been asked by the district coordination officer to abide by labour laws otherwise their units will be sealed.

The DCO, Dr Pervaiz Akhtar, issued the warning during a meeting held here on Wednesday with a group of factory owners against whom the labour bodies had staged a sit-in in front of his office. The representatives of labour bodies were also present.

He directed the factory owners to issue social security cards to labourers and provide them better medical facilities.

The labour leaders said as many as 5,000 factories were working in the district employing about 50,000 workers, but many factory owners were not paying emoluments and social security to them according to the law.

SNGPL: Sui Nothern Gas Pipelines Limited Managing Director Abdul Rashid Lone has warned that CNG stations may be closed in winter in case of acute gas shortage or tariff can be revised.

He was talking to the members of local chamber of commerce and industry here on Wednesday.

He said industrial use of gas should be curtailed in winter.

He assured the industrialists that the company would ensure equal gas supply to Lahore, Gujranwala and Faisalabad zones.

He said the defaulters could get their connections activated after payment of their outstanding dues in installments. Earlier, chamber president Riaz Mahmood Bajwa and other office-bearers apprised Mr Lone of their problems.

NHA: The National Highway Authority has approved construction of two overhead bridges for pedestrians on the GT Road at Ghakkhar Town, allocating Rs20 million for the purpose.

NHA officer Nisar Ahmad said at a briefing on Wednesday that such bridges would be constructed at all stations from Kharian to Shahdar.

He said a bridge would be constructed in front of Nat Kalan bus stop while the other at Mandi bus stop. He said the manholes were also being repaired near Ghakkhar Town toll plaza.

ROBBERY: Five outlaws forced their entry into the house of one Ashraf of Amir Park, where a marriage ceremony was being held.

Reports said the outlaws held hostage the inmates at gun point and took away Rs300,000 in cash, gold jewellery worth Rs250,000, mobile phones and other valuables.

Two robbers intercepted a trader, Adnan Sami, of Satelite Town and deprived him of his motorcycle, while one Ashiq Hussain of Sheikhupura road was deprived of his motorcycle by three outlaws.

Police have registered the cases and are investigating.