CHINIOT: The district education department has enrolled 51,000 children in schools under the Universal Primary Education drive.

Enrollment Focal Person and District Officer of Elementary Education Chaudhry Khalid Akhtar told reporters on Wednesday the enrolled children included 4 to 16 years old.

Mr Akhtar said the education department had achieved 86 percent of the enrollment target given by the Punjab government. So far, 51,474 children have been enrolled while the target is 60,000 children. The first phase of the campaign will continue till May 30 while the second phase will begin from Aug 15.

A legal action will also be taken against the parents who do not send their children to schools.

The government offers free textbooks and uniforms to the enrolled children.

CLINICS: Up to 25 population welfare clinics will be set up in the district in the next fiscal year to provide general and maternal medical care to women, Tehsil Population Officer Mumtaz Husain said.

He said the new clinics would be established in remote areas of the district while the existing 17 population centres had been converted into population welfare clinics where medical treatment and maternal healthcare besides contraceptive facilities would be provided to the people.

He said the Punjab government had paid due attention towards population control involving non-government organisations and civil society representatives in birth control.

He also added the population department took monthly sessions with ulema and religious leaders to seek their help in raising awareness among masses about birth control.

He said even though Chiniot had been upgraded to district four years ago, the office of the population welfare department was still working under the tehsil office.

ARRESTED: Police arrested a two-member robbers’ gang, City Deputy Superintendent of Police Asadur Rehman told reporters on Wednesday.

Rajoa police raided a den near Rajoa village and arrested Sohail, of Sagharwala, and Imran, of Adlana village.

They were involved in a number of highway robberies at a telecom franchise and in street crimes. They allegedly snatched a mobile phone and motorcycle from Ayub Rajoka on Chiniot-Jhang Raod and injured teacher Asif Ali during a robbery at Tahli Mangeeni village, the DSP claimed.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play