TOBA TEK SINGH:A woman and her son suffered burns when an LPG cylinder exploded due to a gas leakage in their house in Mohalla Manyariwala, Shorkot Cantonment, on Wednesday.

Rescue 1122 said electronics, furniture, clothes, and other valuables were also burnt. The fire was controlled after a hectic struggle.

The injured, Parveen Bibi (50) and her son Ahmad (15), were shifted to Shorkot THQ Hospital, where doctors referred them to the burn unit of Allied Hospital, Faisalabad.

Meanwhile, in Faisalabad’s Model Bazaar on Jhang Road, a fire broke out due to a short circuit in a shop, which spread throughout the market, reducing at least 60 shops to ashes.

A press release said six fire tenders took part in the operation, and the fire was controlled after three hours.

The loss to shopkeepers is estimated in millions, but no casualties were reported.

RESCUED: Millat Town police in Faisalabad rescued kidnapped Muhammad Ahmad on Wednesday after arresting extortion gang head Zeeshan Iftikhar Dhillon.

Reports said the suspect had demanded extortion money from the abductee, and when he failed to pay, Dhillon kidnapped him at gunpoint from his house a few days ago.

Police have registered a case against the accused and his five accomplices.

KILLS BROTHER: A man murdered his younger brother over a property dispute in Chak 119 JB, Faisalabad, on Wednesday.

Suspect Mujahid Saleemand deceased Haider Ali had an argument at home over their property share when Saleem suddenly opened fire and injured his brother.

He was shifted to Allied Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Millat Town police have arrested the accused.

PML-N LEADER: Punjab PML-N Ulema Wing Senior Vice President and defeated NA-110 candidate Asif Muawiyah Sial has expressed concern over corruption in government departments, despite his party being in power.

In a statement on Wednesday, he said although his party workers belonged to the ruling party, they were forced to pay bribes in all government departments, even for legitimate matters.

“I obtained 105,000 votes, but when I approach officials for the rights of my voters, no one listens,” he said, urging the chief minister and prime minister to address the genuine complaints of loyal party workers.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2025