SAHIWAL, Dec 5: Up to 150 trees have been saved from axe after a structural change in the Sahiwal-Pakpattan Road project.

Last week, Commissioner Tariq Mahmood learnt at a briefing by the Provincial Highways Department that 850 trees would be axed in the widening project of Sahiwal-Pakpattan Road. Among those, a 100-year-old banyan tree was also to be smashed. The commissioner ordered a structural change in the project to lessen ecological damage. Under a new proposal, instead of keeping a five-foot median greenbelt, a concrete divider will be erected in the middle of the lanes. This will reduce the width of the road and 150 trees will be saved from axing. The fate of other 700 trees is yet at stake.

DACOITY: Six dacoits looted cash, mobile phones and gold ornaments worth Rs1.6 million from a landlord house in 128/9-L village. The dacoits broke into the house of Jan Muhammad on Wednesday night and looted cash and gold ornaments worth Rs1.6 million. Dera Rahim police registered a case against unidentified dacoits.