BAHAWALPUR: As many as 88 victims of June 25 oil tanker tragedy that occurred near Ahmedpur Sharqia have so far been identified through results of DNA tests received by the local administration from the laboratory in Lahore.

According to Ahmedpur East Assistant Commissioner Mahar Abdul Rauf, with the 35 more results of the victims’ DNA tests received on Wednesday, the total number of identified victims rose to 88.

He said through the tests the heirs of the victims were identified and were taken to the tagged graves of their loved ones at Basti Azam Joya graveyard.

He said that more DNA test results were expected within a week.

The AC told Dawn that so far none of the heirs of any identified victim had applied to the court of additional district and session judge for exhumation of any body for reburial at their native places.

Meanwhile, Bahawalpur District Accounts Officer (DAO) Farhan Hamdani said that so far his office had cleared 227 compensation cheques for payment to the victims’ legal heirs and those injured in the incident.

He said of theses cheques, 165 were worth Rs2 million each for the victims, while the remaining 62 given to the injured were worth Rs1m each.

Mr Rauf said a special counter had been set up for the claimants of compensation to clear their cheques without any hassle.

FOREST PARK: The divisional administration has approved a proposal to develop a forest park comprising 140 acres of available state land at Karachi More near the city.

A proposal to this effect was finalised at a meeting chaired by Commissioner Saqib Zafar here on Wednesday.

The forest park, estimated to cost Rs 400 million, was proposed to be developed in two phases. In the first phase 89 acres would be developed by spending Rs200m and in the second as much amount will be spent on 51 acres.

The park will have sprawling lawns, forest area, a jogging track, exercise unit, a lake, bird cages, deer safari and swings and rides.

LAPTOPS: MPA Qazi Adnan Farid distributed 372 laptops among the students of Government College of Technology, Bahawalpur under the chief minister’s scheme.

Besides, Bahawalpur Municipal Corporation Mayor Aqeel Najam Hashmi gave laptops to students at a function held at Baghdadul Jadid campus of the Islamia University (IUB).

According to mayor, during the current (fourth) phase of the scheme laptops would be given to 0.15 million talented students worth Rs7 billion.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2017