SIALKOT: The district administration recovered 2,222 kanals of state land worth Rs1.32 billion from illegal occupants during the ongoing operation against encroachments and land mafia.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Tahir Wattoo told the media that the retrieved land was owned by several government departments. He said illegal occupants and land grabbers would be dealt with an iron fist.

SURGICAL INDUSTRY: Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Chairman Dr Shehzad Alam has assured of full support and cooperation to the development of surgical industry on modern lines through promotion of advanced manufacturing technology.

He stressed the need for early modernisation of the surgical industry, saying advanced manufacturing technology was direly needed to meet global trade challenges. He stated this while addressing a meeting of the surgical instruments manufacturers and exporters here on Sunday. Surgical industry leader Muhammad Jehangir Bajwa and Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan Chairman Khalilur Rehman Mughal were also present on the occasion.

Dr Alam suggested that technology parks should be established for modernising the surgical industry.

Mr Mughal asked the surgical instruments manufacturers and exporters to focus on adopting international standard advanced marketing methods for ensuring easy access for local surgical instruments to the international markets.

Mr Bajwa said that surgical exporters must also focus on exploring and capturing the international markets of traditional and non-traditional surgical instruments besides ensuring diversification and value addition of the instruments. He added that upgrading Sialkot’s surgical industry had now become vital through the provision of skilled labour. Several international brands were importing surgical instruments from Sialkot for re-export purposes on very high prices, he added.

ELECTROCUTION: A woman, identified as Bushra Bibi, 38, was electrocuted to death after receiving an electric shock from a water pump at her house in village Qila Kalarwala, Pasrur tehsil on Sunday.

DEPORTEES: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested 10 Pakistanis deported from Turkey on their arrival at the airport here.

According to senior FIA officials, they sent the suspects behind bars after registering separate cases against them. Further investigations were under way.

SPECIAL PERSONS: Provincial Minister for Special Education Chaudhry Muhammad Ikhlaq has said that the government was making all-out efforts for the welfare and betterment of the visually impaired and disabled people to make them useful citizens.

He stated this while talking to a delegation of the Deaf and Dumb Association, which called on him here on Sunday.

Mr Ikhlaq said the provincial government was considering establishment of special parking stands in almost all buildings for handicapped people, besides considering a proposal for increasing jobs quota.

On the occasion, he also distributed white canes among the visually impaired people. He pledged to make all-out efforts for the betterment and welfare of the disabled people, especially the visually impaired, saying proper encouragement and motivation could help make them useful citizens of society. People should change their thoughts and attitude towards the differently-abled people, he added.

The minister claimed that the government would ensure early establishment a special helpline for the handicapped people, adding that it would help solve their problems.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2018