KASUR: Two minor girls, including a physically-challenged one, were burnt alive on Thursday when the cottage they were sleeping in caught fire at Baloki village in the limits of Sara-i-Mughal police station.

According to police, brick kiln worker Sajjad along with his wife Sofia Bibi went to work, leaving seven-year-old daughter Ayesha (physically challenged) and Sakina (3) sleeping in the cottage. The cottage that was made of bamboos and straws also served as kitchen, contained earthen stove.

Meanwhile, the cottage caught fire reportedly from the stove. The entire cottage was reduced to ashes while Ayesha was burnt alive. Sonia suffered injuries and was rushed to Phoolnagar Rural Health Centre in a critical condition.

Sonia was, later, referred to Lahore but she succumbed to her injuries on the way.

Police handed over the charred bodies to the family after legal formalities. Further investigation is underway.

PROTEST: Residents of Hussain Khanwala and adjoining border area villages staged a protest demonstration and blocked Ferozpur Road at Kutchery Chowk near the office of deputy commissioner on Thursday.

They raised their voice against the administration for ignoring construction of Ganda Singh to Hussain Khanwala Road.

The protesters chanted slogans against the administration for its failure to construct the road and ignoring their ‘genuine’ demand for over a decade.

Led by JI leader Javid Kasuri and Muneeb Ahmed, TLP ticket holder for the provincial assembly, the protesters blocked the road, staged a sit-in there and threw traffic out of gear.

They demanded construction of the Ganda Singh to Hussain Khanwala Road which connects dozens of villages. Later, on the assurance of Assistant Director Local Government Muhammad Saad that the road will be constructed soon, the protesters dispersed.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2025