GUJRANWALA, May 5: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi announced on Friday a Rs2.7 billion package for Gujranwala and promised that more funds would be sought from the federal government for completion of uplift projects in district.

Speaking at a local-body workers convention in Jinnah Stadium, he explained Rs1.65 billion would be spent on construction of roads, sewerage and water supply schemes, Rs700 million on development of remote areas, and Rs140 million had been earmarked for cleanliness of machinery.

He said road projects would be given to FWO and would be completed within one year. He urged the business community to come forward like the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry for development of their city.

Admitting that price-hike was certainly a major issue, he said the government would adopt solid steps to reduce the prices of necessary articles. He said fruitful results would come out by the government efforts to change the police station culture.

He encouraged the PML enrolment and announced that Rs5 million would be given to those union councils, which would enrol a maximum of members.

Among other speakers were National Kashmir Committee chairman Chaudhry Hamid Nasir Chattha, provincial ministers Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal and Rana Shamshad, besides City District Nazim Chaudhry Fayyaz Chattha.

It is not out of place to mention that the administration had made elaborate arrangements for the convention at the Jinnah Stadium’s open place, which was covered with tents. The government expended lavishly on airconditioning and a large number of people were served with sumptuous meal.

Earlier, the chief minister inaugurated a GT Road section, which had been constructed at a cost of Rs332 million, sports complex at the Quaid-i-Azam divisional public school and the Jinnah Park near Kangniwala locality.

injured: Bandits killed a landlord and injured his friend on resistance and looted two houses in three different strikes in and around the city on Friday.

Reports said a dozen dacoits entered the outhouse of landlord Noor Muhammad and started loading his cattle on a truck. For raising an alarm, outlaws opened fire on the landlord and his friend. Noor died on the spot while his friend Abdul Rashid sustained injuries. He was shifted to Mayo Hospital.

Half a dozen outlaws sneaked into Gulzar Ahmad’s house on Sui gas Road by scaling its boundary wall. After holding the inmates up, they locked them in a room. Later, they escaped after collecting Rs100,000 in cash, 41 tolas of gold, two mobile phones and other valuables.

Six gunmen entered the house of farmer Salamat Ali in Kingerwali village. They held up the inmates and locked them in a room. They scooped Rs45,000 in cash, jewellery and other valuables and fled.