Police have failed to stop serial bombing that had already rocked the police offices and now a public park in Gujranwala. Reportedly, a time device created panic again on Wednesday night injuring a passerby couple and warned the police that the network of these serial bombers was yet to be nabbed. About two months ago, the police administration and the citizens were rocked by three heavy explosions at the regional police officer’s (RPO) office, central investigation (CIA) headquarters and police officers’ residences. After two weeks, the explosions jolted the Sabzi Mandi Police Station and again the CIA headquarters Third time, the Chowki Rail Bazaar at GT Road was targeted and a number of police officials were injured including their in charge.
After third explosion, the police claimed to have traced the terrorists and their three hideouts were seized at Jalil Town and explosive material was recovered. The police also claimed its success after killing one suspect and arresting three in an encounter in Faisalabad.
The blast on previous night created alarming situation in the city as it meant that terrorist network could have not been rooted out yet. It is a challenge for the police and intelligence agencies to get rid of this network. Although the blast have not made serious damage to the lives of the citizens but it does expose the presence of terrorists in the city.
GEPCO warns WASA to disconnect power supplies:
Outstanding dues of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) have risen to Rs 90 million and the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) has warned to disconnect power supplies to its tube wells and disposal stations. Reportedly, the WASA is not able to pay electricity bills to the GEPCO as monthly bills are four to five times higher than its monthly income.The WASA is operating nearly 100 tube wells for clean water supply to the citizens while 18 disposal stations are also functioning round the clock for draining water out of the city. Last year, the GEPCO disconnected the connections to the installations of WASA and within a few hours most of the city areas were filled with sewerage water.
The commissioner and district coordination officer (DCO) took serious notice of the situation and assured the GEPCO authorities for early payments to get connections restored. Now, once again, the outstanding amount is crossing Rs 90 million and the WASA has not a single penny to pay. The GEPCO has been reminding the WASA authorities to pay even in installments for continuous supply of electricity but, on the other hand, the WASA is not even able to pay salaries to its employees. The situation demands a grant from the federal or provincial government to manage the WASA’s electricity bills regularly so that power supply might be ensured uninterrupted.
16 COPS DISMISSED, 42 SUSPENDED: As many as 16 policemen have been dismissed from their services, one retired compulsorily, two demoted and 42 suspended by Gujranwala City Police Officer (CPO) Ghulam Mahmood Dogar for power abuses and other charges.
The CPO said that Inspector Ghulam Hyder, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Sana Ullah, head constables Azmat Hussain, Shaukat Ali and Ihsan Ullah were among those 16 who were dismissed while Inspector Salah-ud-Din, Inspector Kausar Naeem and Inspector Mudassar Rafique were among the suspended ones.
Sub Inspector Qamar Naeem was retired compulsorily and Sub Inspector (SI) Muhammad Asghar and Head Constable Amir Rasheed were demoted to previous ranks, he added. He further said that 74 other police officers and officials were censured over alpractices and intended a ruthless action against complaints of power abuse as well as negligence.