Man drowns

ATTOCK, July 29: Another man drowned in the Ghazi Barotha hydropower channel, bringing those swept away by the gushing water to seven in about as many days.

Officials and witnesses said Akram Qureshi, a vaccinator of the local health department, along with one of his friends had gone to the water channel for taking bath on Saturday evening and both slipped into the 100-foot-deep water. Mr Qureshi was swept away by the currents but his friend was rescued by local people after he raised alarms. The body of the deceased could not be retrieved despite hectic efforts by the rescuers.

It may be noted that six people had already lost their lives in the Indus River and the GBHP channel within the last eight days. A large number of people continue visiting the channel to get some respite from the heatwave and prolonged power loadshedding. Although Wapda authorities have imposed a ban on swimming in the channel, the order could not be implemented. — Correspondent

Expatriate’s house looted

GUJAR KHAN, July 29: Robbers looted the house of an expatriate here on Saturday night and decamped with gold ornaments and other valuables.

A group of robbers barged into the house of an expatriate, Raja Jabbar, during the late hours of Saturday night and after spraying some chemical, that rendered the inmates unconscious, looted 11 tolas of gold and other precious items.

Last week under similar circumstances the house of Risaldar Gulzar was targeted in the same locality and the family was deprived of gold ornaments worth millions of rupees.

The residents of the area have expressed their dissatisfaction over the performance of police and urged on the higher authorities to ensure a check on the robberies. Police registered a case but were clueless. — Correspondent

Road blockade irks residents

MURREE, July 29: Murree traffic police allegedly on the directions of Mr Asif Kirmani, secretary to PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif declared Hall Road that lead to Sharif family’s residence in the hilly resort as one way for traffic, it has been learnt.

Local residents and the tourists visiting the area had to travel long distances of over three kilometres to reach their residences, the way which was otherwise less than half a kilometre.

Residents of the area showed their resentment over the move and said that even at the time when Nawaz Sharif was prime minister of the country, roads leading to his house were never blocked for public and locals remained facilitated. — Correspondent

Monsoon showers

ISLAMABAD, July 29: Director General Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Arif Mahmood on Sunday predicted chances of another monsoon rain spell in various parts of the country from Wednesday which would break the intensity of prevailing hot weather conditions to some extent.

The DG said the intensity of upcoming rain spell was hard to predict at this time, however, it might prevail for two days or even more. The rain spell would occur mainly in the upper parts of the country including Rawalpindi and Gujranwala divisions, he added. — APP