NAROWAL: The ban imposed by Punjab government on burning crop stubble to curb smog is being blatantly flouted in some areas of Narowal district.

Witnesses say that on Sunday grass and crop residues were set on fire in the ground of the Government High School, Zafarwal.

They said that dark clouds of smoke rising from the school also engulfed some nearby government offices, but no action was taken against the violators of the ban.

They regretted that district administration was turning a blind eye to the issue that is posing a serious risk to public health.

Meanwhile, farmers are also burning crop residues at Pindi Senian village in Shakargarh tehsil and its surrounding areas, they said.

The area residents, including Amjad Farooq and Inayatullah have demanded that deputy commissioner should take notice of the issue.

District Information Officer Ehsanul Haq says DC Syed Hasan Raza has taken notice of the incidents of crop residues and grass burning, seeking a report from the officials concerned.

TWO DIE: A youth and a boy died and four others were injured on Monday when two motorcycles collided head on on the New Lahore Road.

As per Rescue 1122 spokesman, the speeding motorcycles collided near Gujjar stop, resulting in immediate death of Qasim Ali (18) and an unidentified boy.

Meanwhile, Khurshid Bibi, Fatima Bibi, Farooq and Bashir were seriously injured in the accident.

He said that Rescue 1122 teams immediately reached the spot and shifted the injured persons to the local hospital, and handed over the two bodies to police.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2024