TOBA TEK SINGH: Shopkeepers at Iqbal Stadium Market took out a rally on Thursday against the Faisalabad district administration for rendering them jobless.

They were carrying placards inscribed with a demand to open traffic from outside the stadium up to their shops, which had been closed to prohibit the entry of citizens and to allow only free flour seekers who visit the flour distribution centre located in the Iqbal Stadium.

They told reporters that there were more than 100 shops around the stadium where 500 people do their business. Since the establishment of the distribution centre in the stadium, their customers are unable to visit their shops.

They said as Eid was three weeks away, the administration should allow traffic to the stadium market by arranging parking stands for visitors and flour seekers; otherwise they will not be able to earn their livelihood.

HELD: The Gojra CIA police arrested three members of an inter-district robbery gang involved in dozens of robberies in Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan and Toba Tek Singh districts.

A police official told reporters here on Thursday that the looted cash and valuables and illegal weapons had been recovered from Jamil Akram of Rahim Yar Khan, Ali Raza of Chak 369-JB and Khalid Jehangir of Gojra.

ACCIDENTS: A motorcyclist died and another was injured critically when their motorcycles collided head-on in Gojra on Thursday near the residence of assistant commissioner.

The deceased was identified as Muhammad Zeshan, 20, of the New Plots locality of Gojra, and injured Muhammad Naveed, 22, of Rehmat Town. He was shifted to the Gojra THQ hospital.

Also, a motorcyclist died and his wife was injured critically when a car hit their motorcycle in Faisalabad near the Thikriwala located on Jhang Road.

Rescue 1122 said the deceased was identified as Shafiq Ahmad from Chak 79-JB and his wife Farzana Bibi.

RAIN: Torrential rains followed by a hailstorm inundated low-lying areas in Pirmahal on Thursday evening.

Farmers said as a result of hailstorm, their wheat and maize crops and recently sown cotton crops had been badly damaged.

Rainwater accumulated on city roads causing suspension of traffic. Heavy rain was also received at Gojra, while light rain continued all day with periodic intervals.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2023