Briefs

University teachers demand 75pc rebate

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has demanded the government to reinstate 75 percent rebate in income tax to teachers in the upcoming budget.  In a press release, FAPUASA Central President Dr Hamyoon Khan, General Secretary Dr Mahboob Hussain and Vice-President Dr Kaleem Ullah said there were serious reservations and resentment among the teachers of universities that the government was not paying heed to their just demand. They said the income tax rebate had been reduced by the government three years ago by 40 percent, which was not acceptable to the teachers’ community.

Rain forecast

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

Hot and dry day was observed in the city here Friday while Met office predicted light rain-thunderstorm with gusty winds at isolated places during the next 24 hours.  Met officials said a shallow westerly wave is still affecting Kashmir and its adjoining hilly areas and likely to persist during 24 hours. They said a fresh shallow westerly wave is likely to enter upper and central parts of the country on Saturday (today) and may persist during next 48 hours.  They predicted that mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country.  However, light rain-thunderstorm with gusty winds is expected at isolated places in upper Fata, Kashmir and its adjoining hilly areas.

Nigerian held for fraud

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

FIA Cyber Crime Circle Friday arrested a Nigerian national on charges of defrauding people while pretending to be an employee of a US consulate in Pakistan. According to an FIA official, the accused was identified as Chibuki Affa, son of Ohaka.  The official said that the accused had defrauded a complainant of $ 45. An FIR has been registered.

Ring Road southern loop approved

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

The Punjab government Friday approved construction of Lahore Ring Road (SL-III) under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in the 31st meeting of Steering Committee (SC).   According to a spokesperson for Planning and Development Department, the meeting was chaired by Punjab Minister for Planning and Development Malik Nadeem Kamran.   “PPP mode will be a significant achievement in mega infrastructure development in Punjab province”, the minister said, adding that Ring Road will reduce congestion in Lahore.   The Lahore Ring Road (Southern Loop III) project covers 8.5km Ring Road construction from Adda Plot to Multan Road. Lahore Commissioner Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Ch Iftikhar Chachar (MPA), Qamar-ul-Islam (MPA) representatives of Lahore Ring Road Authority, finance, communication and works, law and parliamentary affairs, and other departments also attended the meeting.

PU students shine

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

Punjab University (PU) students from various departments’ participated in various intervarsity competitions and won prominent positions.  According to a press release, in a bilingual declamation competition for Allama Iqbal Shield organised by Lahore Garrison University, PU students Ismail Sherwani and Shahbahat Qamar obtained first positions in English and Urdu bilingual declamation, respectively, and team trophy.  In the sixth All Pakistan Literary Festival organised by University of Engineering (UET), Lahore, in English essay writing, Fatma Hasnain clinched first position while in Urdu, Ashra Raqayya Malik, in English short story, Hira Rafeeq Rao and in Urdu Afsana Iram Rafeeq obtained second positions. In English poem, Ayesha Yaseen, in Urdu, Maza’h Mustafa Mendi, in Urdu Nazm, Maisam Abbas, in Punjabi Nazm, Mubashir Saeed and in Bait Bazi, Musa Kazim and Maisam Abbas got third positions, respectively. The PU students won over all team trophy as well.

PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir congratulated the students on their achievements.