MUZAFFARGARH  -  A man allegedly involved in depriving common citizens of their hard-earned money through stealthily replacing their ATM cards, mostly villagers, was arrested by Layyah police, a police spokesperson said on Wednesday.

He said that the accused, identified as Mujahid Iqbal, a resident of Shadan Lond, Dera Ghazi Khan, had been arrested and the police were investigating. The accused used to stay outside the ATM machine booths, select his prey, and offer his help. After withdrawal, he would keep the original card with him and give the card holder some other card and later would withdraw money using the original card. The City Police Layyah appealed to people to visit police station and identify the accused.

Two Forests dept officials suspended

The Forests Department suspended two officials for negligence following large-scale theft of trees in Machho Range, Layyah. According to sources, the incident occurred in the Chowk Azam area of Layyah’s Machho Range, where dozens of government trees were illegally cut down. Taking swift action, the forests secretary suspended the negligent officials and directed the chief conservator of forests to submit a detailed report on the theft.

In a joint operation, the chief conservator and conservator of forests initiated disciplinary measures against the implicated staff, suspending Riaz Kalasra and Guard Maqsood Ahmed and both have been ordered to report to the divisional office for further inquiry. He stressed that the department’s biggest challenge was combating corruption within its ranks. He assured that officials involved in collusion with timber mafias and the illegal felling of trees would face stringent action.