September 12, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 11, 1429

WAH CANTT, Sept 11: Federal Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khursheed Shah has said Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will fulfill the mission of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto and remove socio-economic injustices from the society.

He was speaking to office-bearers of POF Workmen Association at the body’s central office on Thursday. Workers of POF and local PPP leadership were also present on the occasion.

He said the PPP government would put the country on the right path of progress and people would benefit in every field of life.

He said the country was facing huge challenges like price-hike, terrorism, unemployment, poverty and lawlessness due to the wrong policies of previous government but, he added, the ruling party was committed to overcoming these issues. He said President Asif Ali Zardari was a visionary man who was pursuing the policy of reconciliation and harmony at national and international levels, which was a dire need of the hour.

Talking about Wah blast incident, he said: “We strongly condemn the elements involved in targeting poor people of the country.”

On this occasion, he announced compensation package for the victims of twin suicide blasts n Wah Cantonment.

He said the labour ministry would pay Rs100,000 to those who died in the tragic incident and allot flat in the labour colony. Similarly, a sum of Rs50,000 would be paid to the injured.

Earlier he visited POF Hospital Wah Cantonment and inquired after the health of the injured.

Butchers block road: Butchers on Thursday blocked the G.T. Road for about an hour over the arrest of their fellows, who were taken into custody for overcharging, officials said.

A special team of the local administration, headed by Deputy District Officer Revenue Ajmal Bokhari launched a crack down on the butchers involved in profiteering and arrested six of them, who were identified as Ajmal, Javaid, Rahat, Kareem, Saeed and Nawaz.

As other butchers learnt about the arrest of their colleagues, they assembled at Taxila Chowk and blocked the traffic for around an hour. National Highways and Motorway Police and other law enforcers reached the spot to persuade the butchers to end their protest but they declined to do so. Resultantly, the police restored to baton charge in which two persons were injured.

Some local leaders of the PML-N intervened in the matter and the protesters dispersed peacefully.

Speaking on the occasion, Ajmal Bokhari said those found guilty of hoarding, profiteering or selling substandard food items during Ramazan would be dealt with an iron hand.