Mandi Bahauddin: (Sher Gondal) District Office Bearers of Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society and welfare officers held here a meeting on Wednesday at Camp Office DASB. Deputy Director DASB Gujrat Col Farman presided over the meeting. On invitation, the participants state difficulties of the soldiers dwelling in Mandi Bahauddin district.

They demanded the establishment of separate DASB in their district to save retired soldiers and widows of martyrs and deceased soldiers from expensive traveling to Gujrat and back for resolution of minor problems relating to pension and other welfare matters. The second point they raised was that the x-ray machine installed at Fauji Foundation Medical Centre being old is unserviceable.

They demanded the provision of a new X-Ray Machine. Col Farman patiently heard the participants and, in his address, said that he with his staff team would visit Mandi Bahauddin twice a month to attend and resolve their problems.

 Regarding the X-Ray machine, he said he would refer the matter to the Fauji Foundation head office with a request for provision of serviceable X-Ray Machine. He said his main focus was on the welfare of ex-servicemen and widows of the martyrs and in this respect, he would not spare any effort. Speaking about DASB building and premises, he said for the last 53 years its major portion was under illegal occupation of land mafia. He said with his constant efforts over one and a half years period, he with the support of DG PASB, Deputy Commissioners Gujrat, and PESS got the land of DASB vacated. He expressed deep gratitude to all who supported him. Collective prayers were offered for the end of COVID-19.

Tributes were paid to doctors who were fighting the pandemic as front-line soldiers. Prayers were also offered who died due to coronavirus.

In a separate meeting President PESS Gujranwala Region, Major Zafar Warriach highlighted the importance of uniting and organizing ex-servicemen on the PESS platform. He said there was an urgent need to increase membership of the society fill vacant post of appointment holders at Tehsil and Village level. At his directions, new membership forms were distributed among the participants who after completing the forms deposited with District PESS Finance Secretary Chief Petty Officer Muhammad Aslam.

In the end, the meeting unanimously elected Subedar Ahmed Khan and Subedar Ashfaq Ahmed as president of Malakwal and Phalia Tehsils respectively. Chief Petty Officer was elected as District Finance Secretary. Elections proceedings were conducted by PESS District President Maj Sher Gondal.