GUJRANWALA, Oct 12: The Postal Department will provide new motorcycles and mobile phones to the postmen to compete the courier companies.

This was stated by chief postmaster Masud Shauket while talking to Dawn here on Thursday.

He pointed out that the department would initially provide 20 motorcycles and equal number of mobile phones to postmen. He said motorcycles and mobile phones would likewise be given to postmen in remote areas in the next phase.

Mr Shaukat claimed that the post office was still providing better service than courier companies in both city and remote areas.

He revealed that the postal department was extending its service to the city and suburban areas due to increase in population.

TAKES NOTE: The district and sessions judge on Thursday took a serious note of arresting of innocent people by police after implicating them in false cases at the behest of their rivals.

The judge warned that stern action would be taken against the SHO and the investigating officer if innocent people were arrested.

Satellite Town police had picked up Nasir Ahmad and his son Zeshan from their house and locked them at the police station without registration of any cases against them.

On the direction of the court, a bailiff had recovered the detainees from the police station on Wednesday. The judge summoned the SHO and the IO in court and censured them for arresting the innocent people.

Detenus Nasir and his son informed the court that policemen snatched their mobile phones, cash and other valuables which were not returned to them so far. The judge directed the DPO to conduct an inquiry against police officials and take stern action against them if they found guilty.

DIES: A landlord died from a snake biting in Ladheywala village on Thursday.

Reports said that deceased Nasir Hussain was chopping the fodder for his cattle when the incident occurred. He was rushed to the local DHQ Hospital where he died. His body was handed over to heirs.