GUJRANWALA: Police took more than 300 suspects into custody from the city and its suburbs besides arresting four Afghan nationals during a crackdown. Some of the arrested were later released after investigation.

A police officer on the condition of anonymity told Dawn on Tuesday the crackdown was launched on people from the tribal areas living in rented houses here without submitting their particulars to the police station concerned. Owners were also being quizzed for providing their property to these people without official documents.

He confirmed that Civil Lines police had arrested four Afghan nationals and seized some arms and documents from their possession. They were identified as Muhammad Abdullah, his brother Nazim Din, Abdul Fateh and Mohabatullah, and sent to the central jail on judicial remand.

He said the crackdown would continue and all police officials had been told to stay alert.

GAS: The Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) on Tuesday suspended gas supply to almost all industrial units, including textile, ceramics and fertilizer, due to the gas crisis and to facilitate domestic consumers.

Talking to Dawn, SNGPL General Manager Tayab Faisal said the gas pipeline that was destroyed in Dera Bugti three days ago had caused the crisis across the province.

He said the pipeline was being repaired swiftly and gas supply would improve by Wednesday (today) night. He said provision of gas to domestic consumers was the first priority of the company and they were making necessary arrangements for the purpose as they had already shut down supply to all CNG stations in the division for three months, he added.

He also admitted that domestic consumers were facing great inconvenience due to low pressure of gas but the issue would be resolved soon.

FRAUD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday constituted two teams comprising inspectors for arresting unauthorised and illegal travel agents.

FIA Deputy Director Sikander Malik said four travel agents had fled abroad after extorting hundreds of thousands of rupees from people on the pretext of sending them for Umrah and Haj. He said the agency was checking agents and would seal their agencies if they failed to show licences and permission for issuing Umrah or Haj visas and tickets. He said Inspector Shahid Perviaz would be in charge of these teams.

HBW: The Punjab government decided to register women home-based workers in Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan districts after introducing a programme for their welfare.

Speaking at a seminar, Director General (Labour) Saleem Hussain said after completing their registration the government would provide the women home-based workers compensation and health, education and social security facilities for their welfare.

Punjab Small Industries Corporation member Hina Shahid, Labour Officer Zaigham Abbas, Project Director Dawood Abdullah, Project Manager Sidra Rehan and District Manager Huma Jabbar also spoke.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2014