Vehari Revenue office without power for over a year

BUREWALA: The Revenue Department in Vehari has been functioning without an official electricity connection for over a year due to non-payment of dues.

The office responsible for facilitating vital government services such as documentation, registry, and revenue collection has been operating its fans, photocopiers, and computers through this borrowed connection, as the official electricity supply was disconnected in 2024 over unpaid bills.

The situation has left citizens and farmers visiting the office frustrated.

With no fans or cooling systems available inside the building, many seek temporary refuge at the nearby stalls and canteens of stamp vendors, crowding there just to get a moment of relief.

Even government officers, including the tehsildar, naib tehsildar, and revenue officials, appear helpless in the sweltering heat, visibly exhausted due to the limited and shared use of borrowed electricity. Despite the passing of an entire year, there has been no action taken to clear the dues and restore the official power connection.

There is growing speculation among the public about whether the Punjab government’s “Khushhal Punjab” development initiatives simply don’t extend to this department. Locals say the staff at the revenue office have no answers, merely watching as people ask questions and express concern.

Sources suggest that a significant amount is owed in outstanding bills, dating back to early 2024. The disconnection has not only hindered operations but has also led to scenes reminiscent of pre-independence rural setups, with staff relying on handheld fans for relief.

Citizens have called on Commissioner Multan Division Amir Karim Khan and Deputy Commissioner Vehari Imrana Tauqir to take immediate notice and restore proper working conditions at the department.

Three killed, nine injured as bus overturns: Three people died and nine others were injured when a devotees’ bus, traveling from Burewala to Darbar Sultan Bahu, overturned near Rampur on Friday.

According to Rescue 1122, the bus overturned while negotiating a turn. As a result, M Hussain of Chak 249/EB, Ahmad Raza of Chak 279/EB and M Afzal of Chak 277/EB were killed on the spot while M Rasheed of Chak 249/EB, M Zaman, Aamir Khokhar, Allah Ditta, Nadeem, Allah Ditta and M Hussain, all residents of Chak 279/EB, Shoaib of Chak 237/EB, and Mushtaq of Chak 15L/92, Mian Channu, were injured. The police have started investigation.