TOBA TEK SINGH: The Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) and Dhahan Prize of Punjabi, based in Canada, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote Punjabi literature, language and culture through academic initiatives and scholarships.

Vice Chancellor Dr Rauf-i-Azam highlighted the vital role of educational institutions in preserving and promoting Punjabi language and cultural heritage. He emphasized that it was essential to modernise Punjabi literature to align it with contemporary global trends and ensure its sustainability.

Under the Dhahan Luminaries Award for Punjabi Studies, MPhil students of the Punjabi Department at the GCUF would receive scholarships, enabling them to pursue higher education free of cost.

Dr Rauf acknowledged the contributions of Barjinder Singh Dhahan and Rita Dhahan, the founders of the award, in promoting Punjabi language and culture globally.

Dr Khola Cheema, the adviser of the Dhahan Prize, said the award aims at encouraging research in Punjabi language and literature while supporting deserving students in accessing quality education at leading institutions. Dr Khola said the collaboration would serve as a game-changer for the advancement of Punjabi language, literature, and academic research.

The Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature has been happening for the last 11 years to promote literary works produced in Punjabi around the world.

The award is currently being presented at Columbia University, Punjabi University Patiala, and the GCUF.

KILLED: A Dolphin Police ASI had been killed in the firing by a group of criminals at Chak 249-RB, Faisalabad, on Thursday.

Roshanwala police claimed, in the FIR, registered on the complaint of SHO Muhammad Waseem, that a police team raided an outhouse of the village to arrest proclaimed offenders. Muhammad Ilyas, a suspected robber, and his nine accomplices who were present there opened fire on the policemen. Multiple bullets hit ASI Obaidullah died on the spot. More police force was called and in operation against the attackers, police arrested some of them while raids were being conducted to arrest the others.

The deceased policeman’s funeral was also attended by RPO Zeeshan Asghar and CPO Sahibzada Bilal Umar.

TRAFFICKING: A woman involved in human trafficking was arrested on Thursday by Faisalabad FIA from Eden Garden located on the Canal Road of Faisalabad.

An FIA official said Humaira Kanwal was a member of an international human smugglers’ gang being operated from Azerbaijan. He added that she had taken Rs6.3m from three youths belonging to Okara for sending them to Luxembourg. They were first sent to Azerbaijan where they were handed over to another trafficker, identified as Muhammad Zuhaib. The official said Zuhaib’s gang had made the victims hostage in Azerbaijan and forced them to ask their parents to send more money.

During the raid on Thursday, the FIA recovered fake visas, passports, bank transaction receipts and record of Kanwal’s contacts with her gang members in Azerbaijan, Libya and Dubai. The official said efforts would be made to arrest Zuhaib through Interpol.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2025