GUJRANWALA, April 27: The local government has banned renewal of route permits of Transport Society Gujranwala's wagons to boost the franchized bus service, it is learnt on Tuesday. The government has directed the Regional Transport Authority to remove the wagons from various routes to benefit the franchized bus companies.

Sources said the transport ministry wanted to facilitate commuters by providing them bus service, but they still preferred to move by wagons to save time. As the franchized buses ran into losses, the government handed over the business to another administration, and directed RTA secretary Qasim Wasti to cooperate with it.

However, Mr Wasti and his entire staff were transferred by the government allegedly for not accommodating the administration of the franchized buses. Subsequently, Sikandar Zulqernain was appointed new secretary.

HUNGER CAMPS: The All-Pakistan Clerical Staff Association on Tuesday announced that it would set up hunger camps at all district headquarters on Thursday. The decision was taken at a meeting, presided over by APCA leader Tahir Mahmood Bhatti.

The office-bearers and representatives of all the district and tehsil organizations attended the meeting. The participants criticized the government for not enhancing their salaries and overlooking their other demands. They threatened that the association would also observe a pen-down strike on May 6 and a complete strike on May 13, if their demands were not met by the government.