GUJRAT, July 10: Police killed four alleged fugitives in a reported shootout near Sarsala Mor, 30 kilometers from Gujrat, on Thursday.

On a tip-off, Gujrat police barricaded Kotla Nandowal Road at Sarsala Mor and at around 4am saw a car being diverted to other road to avoid picket. When police chased it, car occupants opened fire on police, and in police retaliation, they all died. The car-riders were identified: Ansar Iqbal, of Sandoa; Zafar, alias Booti, of Latian; Humayun Iqbal, of Sandoa, and Khurm Shahzad, of Wazid. Police said the four were involved in murder, robbery and kidnapping for ransom. Police said the encounter continued for two hours all policemen remained unhurt.

Police said “outlaws” had killed Muhammad Bashir, wagon-stand manager in Gujrat city, on June 11, and Muhammad Arshad at Langrial Chowk Kotla. Police seized four Kalashnikovs from the car.

District Police Officer Tahir Alam praised policemen for “risking their life in their campaign against criminals”.

BUDGET: Gujrat District Council approved its Rs4 billion budget for 2008–2009. District Nazim Chaudhry Shafaat Husain presented the budget at a session of the council. Mr Husain told the house the estimated income was Rs4 billion while expenditures stood at Rs3.98 billion. The council allocated Rs2.51 billion for current expenditures and Rs1.47 billion for development expenditures.

He said Rs20 million were proposed for new development schemes in the budget and if the provincial government provided additional funds, other development schemes would also be initiated.

He praised former chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for providing Rs15 billion for the district.

He said of the funds provided by Mr Elahi, 605km roads were constructed, 250km roads were extended and 221km roads were repaired.