BAHAWALPUR: Punjab Irrigation Secretary Ali Murtaza has suspended 16 officials of three canal divisions in Bahawalnagar district on charges of patronising canal water theft with the connivance of some influential people.

The suspension orders of two executive engineers of Hakra and and Fordwah divisions and four sub-divisional officers of Sadiqia, Hakra and Fordwah canal divisions were issued following an inquiry by a committee set up on the complaints of locals.

Bahawalpur zone Irrigation Chief Engineer Mr Shahid told Dawn that the 16 officials had been suspended. He said complaints against the officials were received and the irrigation secretary had set up an inquiry committee about a month ago. During the inquiry, water outlets in a number of canals were found tampered with.

Separately, the secretary sanctioned 250 cusecs of canal water for three canals irrigating Cholistan, MPA Dr Muhammad Afzal told Dawn on Monday.

Dr Afzal said that during a meeting between Federal Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema and the irrigation secretary in Lahore, the secretary’s attention was drawn towards the canal water shortage in the green areas of Cholistan and restoration of 250 cusecs of water was demanded, which had been sanctioned during the Musharraf regime.

CONGO SUSPECT: The National Health Institute (NHI) in Islamabad has declared as negative the blood test results of Congo virus suspect Khizar Hayat of Chishtian. This was stated by Bahawal Victoria Hospital Emergencies Director Dr Aamir Bokhari.

Talking to Dawn on Monday, the director said that Hayat, a butcher in Chishtian, had been admitted to the hospital a few days back. His other tests, including for dengue virus, were also declared negative and he could be discharged soon.

BAIL DISMISSED: Lahore High Court’s Bahawalpur bench dismissed the pre-arrest interim bail of Muhammad Rafique, secretary of union council 39 in Bahawalnagar.

After dismissal of the bail application, the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) police arrested Rafique from the court premises.

The ACE Bahawalnagar had registered two cases of alleged embezzlement of over Rs2.5 million against Rafique.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2018