GUJRANWALA, Feb 3: The World Bank has delayed release of Rs7 billion grant for development of the Gujranwala city and demanded assurance from the Punjab government that the amount will be utilised for uplift of the city areas only, it is learnt here.

A source told this correspondent here on Saturday that the WB had already issued grants to four big cities of the province for development through the provincial government and had promised Gujranwala in this regard.

After establishment of the City District Government Gujranwala (CDG-G), the district had been divided into six towns, comprising rural areas. Four towns had been carved out in Gujranwala city only.

The WB has expressed its reservations over transparent utilisation of this grant in four towns of the city and demanded elimination of this division of Gujranwala city.

On the other hand, ruling party MPs have urged the Punjab chief minister to contact the WB for the release of this grant.

GANG BUSTED: The motorway police claimed on Saturday to have arrested a gang of robbers red-handed near Sadhoki on GT Road and recovered looted goods from their possession.

Police said a wagon was on its way to Gujranwala from Lahore. Near Khori (Sadhoki) two robbers sitting on front seat along with the driver in the guise of passengers started looting passengers. In the meantime, a passenger signalled a police vehicle. The police stopped the wagon, arrested the robbers and handed them over to district police.