TOBA TEK SINGH: MPA-return Bilal Asghar Warraich, who recently won the by-poll from Gojra as independent candidate and later joined the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), is being appointed provincial minister, according to his close friend Asim Ali Gujjar.

He said that Mr Warraich with Jehangir Tareen met Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Friday where he learned that he would be given the portfolio of environment ministry. Mr Warraich won the seat with the support of the PML-N but he met Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday in Islamabad and announced joining the PTI.

Sources said when PTI MNA Riaz Fatyana visited him in Gojra on Wednesday, Mr Warraich said he would join the PTI only if he was made a provincial minister. His condition was conveyed to Mr Tareen. Mr Gujjar said Mr Warraich would take oath as minister in a couple of days after issue of the notification of his result by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

LAND: The district administration got retrieved 400 state acres in different localities adjacent to Pirmahal city on Friday. Deputy Commissioner Ahmad Khawar Shahzad formed a team, led by Pirmahal Assistant Commissioner Jamil Haider Shah, which retrieved 400 acres from the grabbers. They had grabbed the land for several decades and had got stay orders from different courts. Officials proceeded against the grabbers in courts and got back the land.

DIES: A motorcyclist died under a train at a level crossing near Shorkot Cantonment on Friday. Witnesses said Abdul Rehman, of Chak 327-GB, was crossing the level crossing gates near Chak 326 GB when a goods train hit the motorcycle. Rehman died at the scene.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2018