MULTAN, Sept 11: A mini marathon will be held in the city on Sept 27 at the Northern Bypass.

This was stated by District Coordination Officer Syed Gulzar Husain Shah while presiding over a meeting on Wednesday to review arrangements regarding holding of the marathon.

The DCO was informed that the race would be held in three categories. It would start from the Northern Bypass at 8am and conclude at Mati Tal Chowk at 11am. He was also informed that 30 referees and 20 judges would monitor the race at various places.

People in vehicles would also be present to provide water and first aid to participants during the race, besides bringing them back from the ending point to the starting point.

The district officer (sports) said registration for the race would begin on Sept 16 and continue until Sept 23. He said a participant would require his/her computerised national identity card to register him/herself for the race, while children would be required to provide their B-form.

The DO said three categories had been made for the handicapped and rest of the public, while there were 10 cash prizes for winners in each category that would range between Rs15,000 and Rs30,000.

The DCO directed the officials concerned to make foolproof security arrangements and provide best facilities to the participants.

GAS THEFT: Gas theft of Rs8.3 million was detected in a colony here on Wednesday.

A squad led by district task force team on eradication of gas and electricity head Farooq Ahmad Dogar and Distribution Engineer Mirza Naeem Rizwan raided the Royal Colony near Nanda Chowk and found that gas was being supplied to both phases of the colony through an illegal pipe measuring 3-3.5 feet.

The pipeline was also found leaking from various points resulting in wastage of gas while it could not be traced even with a line locator.

Colony owner Zaffar Zaman escaped from the scene and Dogar claimed the department was facing a loss of Rs8.3 million, excluding the loss through leakage.

He said to attract costumers a bogus meter had been installed in the colony while there was no record of this meter with the gas department.

A case under Section 462C was lodged against the colony owner under which he could be imprisoned for 10 years with a fine of Rs3 million.