GUJRANWALA, Aug 4: Factory workers set up a protest camp here on Wednesday against the privatization of the social security system by the government.
Labour leaders Sardar Adib, Mian Ataur Rehman, Nasiruddin Humayun Malik, Sahibzada Saeed Hatim and others criticized the government and demanded withdrawal of the privatization policy.
They said hundreds of thousands of workers would be deprived of health and education facilities after the privatization. The protesters pledged that they would continue their struggle against the policy.
RATS' ATTACK: Rats have attacked paddy crops in dozens of villages of Wazirabad tehsil while growers have complained of ineffective pesticides and sought the government's help in this regard.
At a meeting held here on Wednesday with Kissan board president Allah Ditta in the chair, paddy growers of Ghakameter, Dhaunkel, Kot Inayat Khan, Jora, Ghora, Abu Fatehwali, Alu Shadia, Roadwala, Rajab Chak, Daulatabad, Siranwali, Chak Baig, Khoser, Piranwala villages pointed out that the rat killing medicines and other pesticides had become useless.
Meanwhile, some farmers have started killing rats with clubs and rods while others have arranged cats. They demanded of the government to provide them effective sprays.
THEATRES CLOSED: As many as six theatres of the city were closed on charges of spreading vulgarity here on Wednesday. Taking serious notice of complaints of vulgar dances, the Punjab chief secretary had directed the district administration to take stern action to that effect.
The district raiding teams checked various theatres and recommended action against six theatres. The district administration have already banned women dancing in theatres.
SUICIDE: A newly-wed couple committed suicide by taking poisonous pills in Faqirpura locality here on Wednesday. Muhammad Aslam, a factory worker, had married off Shabana Bibi some three months ago.
Since the very outset, the differences started developing between the couple. On Wednesday, they again fell out and took poison. They were rushed to the local DHQ Hospital where they died.
