GUJRAT: Two persons, including Spain-based bridegroom and his sister-in-law, drowned after their car fell into the Upper Jhelum Canal while returning from Walima near Qasba of Sara-i-Alamgir the other day.

A car with five members of a family on board fell into the canal. The locals rescued three of the car riders but could not pull out the other two.

A Rescue 1122 team reached the spot and pulled out the deceased who were identified as Spain-based expatriate Raja Usama and his sister-in-law Maryam.

Usama, belonging to village Bulani, was going to his in-laws along with his bride after their Walima as per the local tradition.

Rescue officials said the accident was caused by speeding.

PROBE: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) launched a probe into the unequal disbursement of Rs100m as an evening allowance to the administrative staff and faculty of the University of Gujrat (UoG).

The Gujranwala ACE constituted a joint investigation team, headed by Deputy Director Ziaullah Sohi, to look into the matter.

The ACE sought the details and record from the university within a week.

The sources said apart from the controversial disbursement of evening allowance, the ACE also sought the details of cafeterias and canteens of the university, following the complaints of irregularities in the award of contracts. They said the details had been sought through a letter written to UoG Vice Chancellor Dr Mushahid Raza who would provide the record within a week.

The ACE came into action in response to the media reports of inappropriate disbursement of evening allowance during the last five years.

The VC has also constituted a special committee to review the formula for distribution of evening allowance.

Ziaullah Sohi has confirmed that a probe had been launched into the university’s financial affairs. He said further legal action would be taken in the light of the initial probe and a detailed inquiry.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2024