BAHAWALPUR, Aug 24: A landlord has grabbed at least 280 acres of state land owned by the forest department at Chak 30-BC, according to Punjab Minister for Special Education Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar.

The minister, who is also in charge of the forest department, directed the Conservator of Forests (Bahawalpur division) Ziaullah Khan to eject the illegal occupants from the forest land. He issued the instructions before presiding over the passing-out ceremony of 20 newly-inducted foresters at the Government Forest School, Bahawalpur.

He said the person who had grabbed the precious land should not be provided an opportunity to seek a stay from any court. He informed the conservator that the Punjab chief minister was touchy about such issues and, therefore, all such illegal possessions should be taken note of.

Meanwhile, sources told Dawn that the landlord, Rana Nazir Ahmad, and his family had been in illegal possession of about 280 acres near the Lal Sohanra National Park for the past several years.

They said the field staff of revenue and forest departments had been conniving at the malpractice which was helping the grabber earn hundreds of thousands of rupees from the produce.

At the school ceremony later, Malik Iqbal gave away certificates to the outgoing students -- including 19 from Balochistan and one from Punjab.

ISPSP: Dr Idrees Ahmad Aftab, a noted social figure, will address the annual general assembly session of the International States Parliament for Safety and Peace (ISPSP) to be held at Sicily, Italy, on Sept 21-22.

The ISPSP is parallel to the UN regarding its membership strength, which is at present 135 countries. It was founded through adhesion of a constitutional letter jointly by the presidents of Cyprus, Mali and Senegal on Dec 15, 1975. The organisation plays active role for the cause of peace.

Dr Idrees, a diplomat with full powers, will achieve an honour by addressing the international body.