SHEIKHUPURA, Aug 7: A large number of people living along Khalid Road, Damuana Road, Ghang Road and Tariq Road protested against the highway department for deteriorated condition of roads in their localities.

Protesters carrying banners and placards marched on main Sargodha Road and chanted slogans against the highway department outside the district coordination officer’s (DCO) office.

DCO Muzaffar Mahmood ordered the executive district officer (works) to resolve the problems shortly.

Protesters told reporters the highway department had awarded a Rs7 million road construction contract to a “favourite” contractor who did not complete the construction.

The EDO assured the protesters of a transparent inquiry and stern action against the contractor.

RESCUED: A bailiff constituted by additional district and sessions judge Nazir Ahmad rescued industrialist Idrees detained for ransom on Tuesday.

The industrialist was allegedly kidnapped by his nephews Tahir Riaz and Rahat Riaz from Faisalabad for ransom. The captors detained him in a rented house on Khalid Road. The servant of the captors who served food to Idrees filed a petition with the sessions court.

The judge sent a bailiff which raided the place and rescued the industrialist. The court ordered a case against the abductors.