Man awarded death

GUJAR KHAN, Feb 29: Additional Sessions Judge Mohammad Naveed Iqbal awarded double death sentence to Zafar Iqbal convicted of murdering Mohammad Saeed and Jalil Iqbal in limits of Mandra police station.

The judge also imposed a fine of Rs400,000 on the convict, failing which he will have to undergo six months of rigorous imprisonment. Meanwhile the court acquitted a woman Mahroof Jan of murder charges in a case registered with Gujar Khan police station. — Correspondent

Uplift schemes

RAWALPINDI, Feb 29: Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has received directions from Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) to introduce uplift schemes worth Rs400 million for The Mall and Saddar areas.

Talking to Dawn, RCB Cantonment Executive Officer Rana Manzoor Ahmed Khan said the GHQ wanted schemes by the civic body for beautification of the cantonment area.

He said the RCB started preparations in this regard and sought suggestions from the citizens. He said details of uplift schemes would be submitted to GHQ within a week.

According to initial plan, the RCB will install street lights, ensure beautification of roadsides, pavements and boulevards and set up street furniture at important roads like The Mall, Kashmir Road, Bank Road, Adamjee Road and Tench Bhatta.

The senior official said the civic body was facing shortage of funds and it was the main reason not to start such schemes in the past. He said after receiving the funds, the RCB would be able to improve the outlook of the cantonment area.

When his attention was drawn on the closure of road connecting Octroi No. 22 (Chungi 22 number) to Saddar, the RCB chief said he was unaware of the decision. — A Reporter

Anti-dengue drive today

RAWALPINDI, Feb 29: City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) is going to launch month-long larvicide drive in the district from today (Thursday) to check the spread of dengue virus during spring season.

Health department and Town Municipal Administrations (TMAs) will launch anti-dengue spray in their respective areas to kill dengue mosquito larvae in its early stage.

The Punjab government team led by Additional Secretary Local Government Moazam Janjua arrived in the city on Wednesday and inspected fumigation machines CDGR have to launch larvicide drive in the district. The team also visited health department and Potohar Town Municipal Administration (PTMA) offices in this regard.

“The health department will start the spray in and around those areas from where dengue cases were reported during last season,” said Dr Zafar Iqbal Gondal, Executive District Officer (EDO) Health. — A Reporter

RMC hostel

RAWALPINDI, Feb 29: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday refused to vacate girls’ hostel of Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC) on Rawal Road till May 15 as it was facing problem to find another building.

NAB officials made it clear to office-bearers of Young Doctors Association (YDA) Rawalpindi during a meeting which was convened to convince young doctors to stop protesting for the vacation of girls’ hostel building.

In the meeting, YDA Rawalpindi President Dr Umer Saeed and Dr Junaid Abbasi represented young doctors while NAB officials were led by its Additional Director Haroon Rasheed.

NAB officials said Prime Minister Secretariat allotted the building of Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education but later, cancelled the allotment.

However, they said, NAB managed to get allotment of Block-1 and 2 of Melody Civic Centre. The building is not usable as it was damaged during Lal Masjid operation.

They said at present, PWD was renovating the building and NAB offices would be shifted there after May 15.— A Reporter

Interfaith conference

ISLAMABAD, Feb 29: The government has decided to hold an interfaith harmony conference in the federal capital in April to create peaceful coexistence among the people belonging to different faiths and sects.

Adviser to Prime Minister on National Harmony Dr Paul Bhatti said this during a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday.

He also apprised the premier of the progress regarding convening of the conference.

Renowned national and international religious scholars and representatives from different faiths from across the world would attend the conference. — Staff Reporter