GUJRANWALA, Sept 16: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will begin an operation clean up against illegal travel agencies and money changers from Wednesday (today), says an official.

Speaking at a briefing at Gujranwala Passport Cell on Tuesday, FIA Director Muhammad Azam Joia said about 500 illegal travel agents and human smugglers were operating in the region. He said new FIA police station would begin work in Gujrat from next month where an assistant director would be in charge.

PROTEST: Residents of the Bhimbowali Aroop area staged a protest against the police outside the Regional Police Officer’s office for not arresting alleged killers of an old man and called for investigation officer’s suspension from service.

The protesters said his rivals killed elderly Allah Ditta a few days ago, but police were not arresting the nominated accused, who also had the support of the investigation officer. However, the protesters dispersed after a senior police officer assured them of action against the accused.

INJURED: Five labourers were injured critically when an under-construction college building collapsed near Sialkot Bypass.

A Rawalpindi-based company was constructing the building. The locals and rescuers retrieved the injured from rubble and took them to the district headquarters hospital. The injured were identified as Muhammad Imran, Amjad, Shahbaz Ahmad, Azmat Ali and Kamal Pasha.

DIESEL PRICES: The Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), transporters and farmers have protested the increase in diesel and kerosene oil prices and described the step as ‘failure’ of the government. A meeting here, chaired by GCCI President Riaz Mahmood Bajwa and attended by representatives of industry, transporters and farmers, said 60 per cent industries had already closed because of the energy crisis and an increase in oil prices over the last few months. He said the remaining 40 per cent industries were at the brink of closure.