TOBA TEK SINGH: Speakers at a seminar held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad on Thursday called for concerted efforts to address the poultry issues including health, cost of production and feed at local level. The poultry feed comprises 70 per cent of the soybean that is one the best sources of protein and the promotion of it cultivation will help overcome $1 billion import. The event was organised by World Veterinary Poultry Association Pakistan branch and Department of Pathology, UAF. Chairing the inaugural session, UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan said the university has introduced new varieties of soybean that are bringing tangible results. He said the UAF has facilitated thousands of farmers to cultivate the soybean as a demonstration. He told the audience that the soybean has different traits that can be cultivated in different months throughout the year across the country. He said UAF always has provided such opportunities to the academia and the community for transfer of knowledge and interaction among stakeholders. He also briefed the audience about edible and non-edible vaccine for disease control in animals and contribution of UAF in this regard. He said recently the UAF has developed FMD vaccine that will help address the issue at the national level. He said risk management and bio-safety are the essential. World Veterinary Poultry Association Pakistan branch President Hanif Nazir lauded the production of local soybean in which UAF is playing its active role. He said experts have to step up efforts to provide science-based solutions to diseases, climate change and other problems faced by the poultry industry. Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Dr Shahid Mehmood highlighted the significance of integration of livestock and agriculture. Dr Munir Iqbal highlighted the Avian influenza evolution and impact on virulence vaccines on diagnostics. Dr Kashif Saleemi briefed about current scenario of immune suppressive diseases in poultry. ENCOUNTER: Two dacoits were killed in an ‘encounter’ with Dolphin police squad near Treet Bakery located on Canal Road in Madina Town police station area at Faisalabad on Wednesday night. A police spokesperson claimed that four suspects were looting the people when suddenly a Dolphin squad reached there. They opened fire on policemen which was also returned and when firing stopped policemen found two of them dead while their two accomplices managed to flee. He claimed that both were killed in firing by their two accomplices. The deceased have been identified as Mubashir of Sargodha and Waseem of Khushab who were wanted in more than one dozen robberies. ARRESTED: A man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly raping a child at Chak 112-JB, Ram Dewali, located at Chak Jhumra tehsel, Faisalabad, on Thursday. Complainant ‘Sh’ claimed in the first information report registered under section 376 of Pakistan Penal Code by Chak Jhumra police that his son (13) was on his way to bring milk from an outhouse when suspect ‘U’ overpowered him near a brick kiln and took him to a sugarcane field where he allegedly raped him. RECOVERED: A minor girl, who was kidnapped by a youth from a tuition centre at Chak 260-RB in Dijkot area of Faisalabad, was recovered from Faisalabad railway station on Thursday. Reports said 14-year-old girl was lured by a suspect who took him to Faisalabad for a train ride. Police recovered the girl whereas the suspect managed his escape. Police are conducting raids to arrest him. ACCIDENT: A man died and his son injured critically after a car ran over them on Thursday near Guttwala Park located on Sheikhupura Road, Faisalabad. Rescue 1122 said Tahir Nadeem (51) riding a bike was on his way along with his son Zeeshan (20) when their motorcycle collided with another two-wheeler coming from the opposite direction. As a result they fell on the road and a car coming from the rear side ran over them, killing Tahir Nadeem on the spot and injuring his son Zeeshan, who was shifted to DHQ hospital.