SIALKOT: Two elderly women were burnt alive in their room when their quilts caught fire from a gas heater in the Rangpura locality early on Friday.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, Najma Bibi (80) and Naheed Qamar (70) were asleep in the room, when the quilts caught fire. Both elderly were alone there at the time of the incident, so could not be rescued.

Neighbours alerted the police after observing smoke and ensuing smell of the burning bodies. Rescue 1122 shifted bodies to the Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital for autopsy.

Doctors said both women died because of 80 per cent of burns on their bodies.

Rangpura police are investigating into the incident.

DC: Deputy Commissioner Dr Nasir Mehmood Bashir has directed the local district administration to ensure maximum tree plantation in active cooperation of the people in local recreational parks green belts and along roads in Sialkot city here.

Addressing an important meeting, the DC said that a national level tree plantation campaign in Sialkot district would be launched in the next month.

He announced the early upgrade of all parks in Sialkot city and Sialkot Cantt areas for providing the improved recreational facilities to the local people at local level.

He also ordered the availability of play lands, swings, new water filtration plants in parks.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2020