BAHAWALPUR: The Punjab Wildlife Department has ordered an inquiry into the death of five urials (wild sheep) in Bahawalpur Zoo.

This was stated by south Punjab Wildlife DirectorGeneral Anwar Maan.

Talking to Dawn by cell phone on Thursday, Maan said the Punjab government had taken notice of the mortality of urials and decided to hold an inquiry into the loss of animals.

The DG added that the orders of an inquiry had been issued by Punjab Secretary for Wildlife retired Capt Zafar Iqbal.

According to DG, a five-member committee headed by him would be constituted with a directive to probe the entire affair and identify the responsible zoo employees.

RELIEF: The Punjab ombudsman has provided a relief of Rs33 million to 11 applicants belonging to Bahawalpur.

Rahim Yar Khan and other cities in the province.

According to a handout issued by ombudsman`s PRO Qudratullah on Thursday, the recipients of claims included Bahawalpur`s Muhammad Waqas, a work charged man of the irrigation department who was paid arrears of his salary amounting to Rs4.8.92 million.

Muhammad Shahran of Ghulam Farid University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, was given Rs1.7.53m while others included two women Shamim Akhtar (Rs1.2m) of Vehari and Ms.

Tasneem Akhtar of Toba Tek Singh was paid R s2.6m arrears of social security fund of her late husband.

ROBBERS HELD: Ahmedpur East city police claimed on Thursday to have arrested five robbers who had allegedly snatched a sum of Rs1.6 million along with his motorcycle from businessman Habib near railway crossing on Wednesday.

On a tip-off, police raided a house in Shalimar Town, arrested five suspects and recovered looted amount from them.