GUJRANWALA, March 19: Intermittent increase in the prices of petroleum products is thwarting the country’s industrial development, according to Corps Commander Lt-Gen Faiz Jillani.

Inaugurating the third exhibition of local products under the banner of ‘Made in Gujranwala’ at Gulshan Iqbal Park on Wednesday, he said industrial development was imperative for the country’s prosperity. He urged the manufacturers to display quality products to compete at an international market.

Mr Jillani, who was the chief guest at the opening of the exhibition, hoped that the industrial triangle — Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot — would continue to play an important role in the country’s progress.

He also suggested that the local manufacturers and traders should sell their products on lower rates to foil smuggling.

Earlier, local chamber of commerce and industry President Khwaja Tahir Hassan and traders gave him a warm welcome at the venue. The corps commander assured the manufacturers that the government would resolve their problems on priority.

DEATH SENTENCE: The Anti-Terrorism Court No 1 on Wednesday handed down death sentence on seven counts and a fine of Rs1.4 million each to five people, who killed their seven rivals in 2001.

The convicts will have to undergo one-year rigorous imprisonment, if they fail to submit fine.

According to the prosecution, Muhammad Luqman, Rana Muhammad Nazim, Azim Sarwar, Muhammad Imran and Rana Abdul Rahman killed seven of their political rivals, Rana Muhammad Kaleem, Gul Hassan, Muhammad Farhan, Ghulam Ali Malank, Khurram Butt, Malik Mastan Ali and Muhammad Saqib, at Sabzi Mandi on September 18, 2001.

Judge Iftikhar Husain Shah acquitted three co-accused, Ms Najmunnisa, Muhammad Ijaz and Muhammad Riaz, giving them the benefit of doubt.

TEACHERS’ TRANSFER BANNED: District Nazim Fayyaz Ahmad Chattha banned on Wednesday transfer of teachers till further orders. He issued the notification after taking the decision.