Peshawar: Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) actions against government offices for non-payment of electricity arrears are underway in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to FIA, the electricity connection of 12 government offices has been cut off during a week, including anti-corruption, Afghan Commissionerate and Director General (DG) Excise offices. While the power supply of Public Health Department and Workers' Women's Hostel has also been cut off.

The FIA stated that the electricity of Forensic Science Laboratory and Public Food Laboratory has also been disconnected.

It has also been told by the FIA that DG Excise office has arrears of more than Rs1.3 million, while the Anti-Corruption Office and Forensic Science Laboratory each have over Rs0.7 million in arrears. In addition to workers' women's hostel and the Afghan Commissionerate, there are arrears of more than Rs0.6 million.

According to FIA officials, electricity is being restored to the offices from which arrears are being collected.

Ghotki: A ban was imposed on cultivation around Motorway-M5, in Ghotki district.

According to the notification, in view of the law and order situation in Ghotki district, a ban has been imposed on sugarcane cultivation up to 1500 meters on both sides of the highway.

Officials said that because of the sugarcane crop, the bandits easily target the police, due to which the officers are facing problems.

Apart from this, there are police check-posts on Sukkur-Multan Motorway-M5 from location 437 to 505 for safety.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the federal authorities and provincial governments to stop the smuggling of sugar.

A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in which the request for export of sugar in excess of the country's requirement was reviewed, while the data provided by the Sugar Mills Association was also reviewed.

The Prime Minister directed a re-examination of the differences between the two proposals and ordered that the data be reviewed to keep sugar prices stable.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister directed the Interior Minister and the provincial governments to prevent the smuggling of sugar.

He also directed a crackdown on hoarding of sugar and that the demand and supply of sugar should be evaluated and a report submitted again in a week.