18 killed in road accident in Pakistan's Punjab province
Lahore (PTI): At least 18 passengers, including women and children, were killed and 16 injured in a fatal accident on a motorway in Punjab province of Pakistan on Sunday morning, police said.
The bus en route to Islamabad from Karachi carried about 40 passengers when it collided with a pick up van at Pindi Bhattian section of Faisalabad motorway, some 140 kilometres from Lahore, around 4:30 am, the police said.
"On the Pindi Bhatian section of the motorway, the bus hit a static van which was carrying a fuel tank. The bus hit it from the rear and both vehicles caught fire immediately, killing at least 18 passengers," Inspector General (IG) Motorway Police Sultan Khawaja said.
Another 16 persons with burn injuries were shifted to nearby hospitals.
The death toll may rise further as the condition of some of the injured is said to be critical, the IG said.
The IG further said the passengers who managed to jump off the bus survived.
Others did not get a chance to get off as fire engulfed both the vehicles, he said, adding that drivers of both the vehicles also died.
IG Khawaja also said the cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained "whether the bus driver fell asleep as the time of accident or the crash took place because of over speeding".
He said both the vehicles would not have caught fire had the van not been carrying a fuel tank.
He added that the identity of those who lost their lives would be ascertained through DNA tests after which the bodies would be handed over to their families.
Punjab caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and directed the authorities concerned to provide best treatment to the injured.
Road accidents which are common across Pakistan claim numerous lives on a daily basis.
Five people, including a woman and two minors, were killed and 20 others injured when a bus overturned in the Fazilpur area of Punjab's Rajanpur district back in July.
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TN polls: Vijay announces Rs 2,500 monthly assistance, 8 gm gold for women
Chennai (PTI): TVK chief Vijay on Thursday unveiled sweeping assurances in the party manifesto ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu that included Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years, 8 gm gold for marriage and six free cooking gas cylinders a year, per family.
The actor-turned-politician also assured a quality silk saree in addition to gold for indigent brides and interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for women-run SHGs. He assured corruption-free good governance if voted to power in his maiden electoral fight.
The manifesto also laid importance on education. To prevent school dropouts, mothers or guardians of children studying in government and state-aided schools will receive Rs 15,000 annually.
Vijay promised 100 special residential schools named after iconic leader K Kamaraj, credited with revolutionising education in the state, and higher education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. The TVK founder also assured AI Ministry, AI University and AI City.
The manifesto placed a strong emphasis on agrarian welfare, too.
The party promised a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, while those holding more than five acres will receive a 50 per cent waiver. Additionally, the party promised a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
Addressing youth unemployment, Vijay pledged to create five lakh new government jobs and offer as many stipendiary internships. Unemployed graduates will be provided a monthly aid of up to Rs 4,000. For government employees, the party assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and the regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.
On the health front, he promised a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Vijay also committed to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme.
The manifesto also included a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for the elderly and the differently-abled, 200 units of free power, patta (land deed) regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water supply for all households.
Some of the policy intereventions promised by TVK include a legal guarantee to provide essential government services like community certificates, and land pattas, within a strictly specified timeframe.
Vijay also promised doorstep delivery of governance by implementing a system to deliver services, such as ration supplies, directly to the people. He also assured that ease of doing business will be paramount to his government and promised a strict guarantee that business licences will be issued within 21 days.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and outcome known on May 4. Vijay is facing his maiden electoral battle, billing it as a direct fight between the ruling DMK and his TVK.
