TOBA TEK SINGH: After of delay of six years, funds for completion of under-construction Kamalia-Harappa bridge over the River Ravi located near Mull Fatyana have been allocated in the 2019-20 annual budget.

MNA Riaz Fatiana told reporters on Saturday that Rs200m have been included in the PSDP for the purpose. He said after the approval of budget proposals, work on the bridge would be resumed.

Former chief justice Saqib Nisar had directed the Federal Housing and Works Ministry on May 8, 2018, to release Rs775m to the Pakistan PWD in the fiscal year 2018-19 for the completion of the Kamalia-Harappa bridge.

The PWD submitted its report to the Supreme Court stating that Rs775m were required for the completion of the bridge.The report stated the Planning Commission had not provided any funds for the completion of project since the fiscal year 2013-14 and the revised cost for the completion of the project needed further funds of Rs775m which should be provided to the Pak PWD in the next financial year.

Mr Fatiana said Rs200m were spent, the federal government would be requested to provide further required funds for the completion of the project which had delayed by the PML-N former government because it was a project approved by the then PPP government.

After the completion of the bridge, 35 kilometres will be reduced between Sahiwal and Kamalia.

RECOVERED: A British national woman who was allegedly kidnapped from Pirmahal was found unconscious by Abdul Hakeem (Khanewal) police near the River Ravi at Head Sidhnai on Friday.

She has been handed over to the Pirmahal police.

A case under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered on May 18 by the Pirmahal police. Its first information report said that unidentified people kidnapped Shahnaz Kausar, wife of Aslam,

The police said investigation was under way regarding her kidnapping and action would be taken when gain senses. He added that there was litigation between the woman and her relatives over residential plots.

KILLED: A young woman was murdered here on Saturday for honour in Pirmahal.

The police said Aftab Ahmad, of Chak 673/14-GB, suspected that his wife Sobia Parveen, also mother of a minor baby, had an affair over which he shot her dead.

The police shifted the body for autopsy to the Pirmahal Tehsil Headquarters Hospital. The police were conducting raids to arrest the accused who is at large.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2019