FAISALABAD, Sept 3: Unable to sustain the burden of exorbitant petroleum prices, an elderly rickshaw driver of Hajvery Town consumed acid on Monday.

Mushtaq, 55, was brought to Allied Hospital in a critical condition, but doctors said he was now out of danger.

Talking to reporters at the hospital, Mushtaq said the government had made the life of the poor miserable with frequent hike in POL prices.

He said increase in petroleum prices increased everything, making it impossible for a person like him to feed the family.

He said he had been working day and night to make both ends meet, but a regular spike in kitchen items had closed all doors of survival.

He said most of commuters argued over fair and they preferred alternative mode of transport.

research: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s departments of botany and pharmacology are trying to find medicinal plants that can be used for dengue cure while the National Institute of Food Science and Technology is focusing on food supplements to cope with the immunity problem.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad told reporters here on Monday the university was spending Rs10 million on the Research Group of Dengue to study lifecycle, genetics, microbiological issues and food supplements to tackle the immunity problems.

He said biological and botanical aspects were significant to develop preventive mechanism against the dengue virus.

Dr Ahmed said UAF scientists were engaged in collaborative research on dengue with scientists from Brazil, Sri Lanka and Thailand. He urged the media to join hands with the scientific community to create awareness among the masses.

Entomological Department chairman Dr Anjum Sohail put forward his presentations on dengue issues, challenges and solutions.

He urged the young scientists to come forward and find solution to problems being faced by various communities in Pakistan.