BAHAWALPUR, Aug 28: Two PML-Q aspirants for the tehsil Naib Nazim’s slot withdrew their candidature on Thursday, leaving field open for three contestants.

Liaquat Lodhi and Tariq Majid, who had been representing the ruling party in the election, announced giving up contention on the advice of the party heads.

Three candidates, Malik Zahid Channar, Sahibzada Munawar Hayat Abbasi and Sohail Pashi, are left in the run. Malik Channar enjoys support from the ruling group of the district government headed by Nazim Tariq Cheema, while Sahibzada claims having the support of the PML-N and a faction of PPP (Parliamentarian). Mr Pashi is trying his luck as an independent candidate.

The polling for the Naib Nazim’s slot will he held on Sept 8.

ANTI-ENCROACHMENT DRIVE: The tehsil municipal administration has been directed to formulate comprehensive measures and set up a mobile squad to operate against encroachments in the district.

The directive was issued by District Nazim Tariq Cheema while he was presiding over a high-level meeting to discuss the issue at circuit house on Thursday.

The Nazim ordered imposition of ban on tehbazaari, saying no fee should be recovered from the encroachers in the future.

He asked the TMA to remove encroachments, illegally raised constructions and heaps of garbage lying outside the vegetable market. DPO Sikandar Hayat assured cooperation in this regard.

Later, the Nazim inspected the newly constructed Machhli Bazaar Road and expressed dissatisfaction over the quality of work.

RAINWATER: Downpour on Wednesday night left several low-lying localities inundated, causing a great deal of inconvenience to the residents.

Reports said sewerage gutters choked and started overflowing in most of the localities, including Satellite Town, exposing inefficiency of the TMA’s sanitation staff. Telephone system was also disrupted.

Meanwhile, rain in the Cholistan desert brought a sigh of relief to the people, who had got water for themselves and their cattle.