SHEIKHUPURA: Preparations for the 218th three-day Urs celebrations of Waris Shah have been finalised.

Urs of the prominent Punjabi poet is scheduled to be celebrated from Sept 23 to 25 in Jandiala Sher Khan, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Arqam Tariq said while talking to the media on Wednesday.

On the first day of the Urs, ghusal ceremony of the shrine with rosewater would be held and a floral wreath laid there, the DCO said.

The highlight would be Heer reciting competition on the third and last day. Heer reciters from all over the country are likely to participate in the competition after which prizes and shields would be distributed among position holders.

OUTLAW KILLED: A suspected outlaw was shot dead in crossfire with Saddar police in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Suspected robbers were looting commuters on Hafizabad Road. A police team after receiving information reached the spot and engaged the suspects in a shoot-out. Iqbal alias Kalu was shot dead, while his three accomplices escaped. Sadder police started an investigation.

PROTEST: More than 250 lady health workers staged a demonstration on Wednesday in front of the Nankana DCO’s office against non-payment of salaries and dues.

The workers told the media the local health department had not paid their dues and salaries for three months, while it had assigned them extra duties besides their original jobs.

DCO Sara Umer after listening to the protesters assured them of resolving their issue as soon as possible. She said stern action would be taken against those health department officials who did not pay the lady health workers their dues.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2016