MUZAFFARGARH: As many as 48 petrol pump were sealed by the district administrations on the instructions of Multan Commissioner Engr Amir Khattak, during a crackdown for closing down the outlets after the increase in petroleum prices by the government.

In a handout on Friday, the commissioner said the administration conducted 308 raids in Multan division, sealing 31 petrol pumps.

He said seven FIRs had been registered, 17 hoarders were arrested and a fine of Rs597,000 was imposed on them.

He said those who took advantage of unfavorable conditions did not deserve any concession.

Meanwhile, in Muzaffargarh and Kot Addu tehsils in different raids assistant commissioners (ACs) five cases were registered against owners of petrol pumps.

Deputy Commissioner (DC )Ali Annan Qamar checked prices of daily food items in market and his team imposed a heavy nnes on shopkeepers involved in overcharging the customers.

Similarly, In Khanpur Bagga Sher, the DC checked the fertilisers stocks, finding fake entries of farmers by a dealer. The irregularity was revealed when the DC contacted the farmers whose names were mentioned in the dealer`s record and they told him that they did not buy any fertiliser f rom him.The DC sealed the shop of the dealers and ordered registration of case againsthim.

The DC said he was monitoring the fertilisers sale, claiming there was no shortage of ureain the district.

FIRE AT SUGAR MILLS: A factory worker was injured in a fire in the sugarcane bagasse in the Tandlianwala Sugar Mills on Friday.

On receiving a call, Rescue 1122 sent fire engines to the mills from rescue stations of Shahar Sultan and Multan, Tehsil Municipal Administration Muzaf f argarh, Fazal Mills and Pak Arab Refinery Ltd (Parco).

The firefighters evacuated the workers from the area around the fire. So far, 25pc of the fire has been brought under control. The faulty fire hydrants in the sugar mills have also been made functional.

An employee of the mill,identified asIbrahim (35), son of Musa Khan, faintedin theincident. He was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital Muzaffargarh for treatment. The fire operation was still going on when this report was filed.

Deputy Commissioner Ali Annan Qamar took action against the sugar mills and registered a case against its administration for ignoring the standard operating procedures.

He launched an inquiry into the incident and formed a team to inspect the sugar mills and textile mills of their area and their emergency systems.