The District Magistrate, Quetta, yesterday ordered preventive measures against smallpox in the neighbouring villages and Quetta town. Movement of persons from and to Killi Deba has been restricted by the District Magistrate under this order.—Quetta correspondent

Locust swarm in Bahawalnagar

BAHAWALPUR: A large locust swarm spread over about 10 square miles has settled near Minchinabad in Bahawalnagar district, according to reports reaching here.

Coming from across India, it settled over standing crops near Shakarganj and Khera villages. The Plant Protection Department has started spraying insecticides in the area.

Meanwhile, extensive damage to cotton crops throughout Bahawalpur division has been reported. At some places, about 50 per cent of the crop has been wiped out by the winged menace.—Agencies

Probe against corrupt officials

PESHAWAR: The Anti-corruption Police has started investigating cases of certain Government officers in Dera Ismail Khan who have become rich overnight under circumstances they cannot justify. Among them are some employees of the Rehabilitation and Revenue departments and the P.W.D.

It is reported that a P.W.D. employee recently married a local dancing girl and gave her a lot of valuable gifts, including precious jewellery.

Besides, many employees of the Rehabilitation Department have reportedly purchased evacuee property in the name of their relatives though they did not even have a house of their own to live in when Pakistan came into being.—Peshawar correspondent