TOBA TEK SINGH: Scores of Rehmanpura locality residents with the relatives of a man, ho died in the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital, staged on Friday a demonstration outside the hospital to protest the alleged apathy of doctors in emergency ward, which, according to them, caused his death.

The relatives told reporters that Munir Ahmad (5) was admitted to the hospital for chest pain treatment but doctors delayed first aid to him, as a result he died.

Protesters chanted slogans against the doctors and demanded action against them.

DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Sikandar Mujahid said that the patient had died soon after he was brought to the hospital before giving him medical aid so the allegation of apathy of doctors was baseless.

BRIBE ALLEGATIONS: A number of farmers of Chak 536-GB has complained that officials are demanding bribe to issue the payment of compensation against their farmland acquired for the construction of Karachi-Lahore-Peshawar motorway.

Farmers’ representatives Muhammad Akram, Iftikhar Ahmad and Zafar Ali told reporters that if they refused to pay bribe, officials created hurdles and objections in the process.

Also, District Coordination Officer Amer Ijaz Akbar directed on Friday Toba Assistant Commissioner (AC) Muhammad Shafiq to make announcements in the villages to get payment cheques in the presence of all villagers so that the objections involving joint ownerships of land be resolved.

The AC said that land acquisition in 15 villages had been completed. He said Rs1.35 billion had been received from the National Highway Authority for paying to the land owners and remaining Rs10 million would also be given to land owners.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2016