Day: August 2, 2026

Burewala: Another victim of the tragic gas cylinder explosion at Al-Karam Sweets, Chungi No. 5, succumbed to his injuries, raising the death toll to four.

Police said Shabbir Ahmad, son of Khadim Hussain, died while under treatment at the Burn Unit of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Shabbir Ahmad was the owner of Al-Karam Sweets and had been under treatment in the burn unit’s ICU since the blast.

The explosion occurred a few days earlier due to a gas leakage at the sweet shop, injuring 13 people, including two children, who suffered burns. The injured were immediately shifted to various hospitals, with critically injured victims referred to the Burn Unit of Nishtar Hospital, Multan.

Police said the condition of two more injured persons is stated critical. The tragic incident has evoked deep grief and sorrow across the city.

Mirpur: Police in Mirpur have arrested 12 people for allegedly disrupting public order, forcing traders to shut their businesses and creating unrest on major roads, while efforts are underway to apprehend a suspect identified in a firing incident, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khurram Iqbal said on Saturday.

Speaking to the media, the SSP said normal life had largely returned to Mirpur Division following the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections held on July 27. He said political celebrations concluded peacefully and commercial activities had resumed across the city after the electoral process.

However, Khurram Iqbal alleged that some individuals attempted to disturb the peaceful environment by staging protests on key roads, raising slogans against state institutions and pressuring shopkeepers to close their businesses a day after polling. Police responded swiftly, arresting 12 suspects for their alleged involvement in the incidents, he added.

The SSP said one suspect allegedly involved in the reported firing had been identified and police teams were conducting raids to arrest him. Reaffirming the force’s commitment to maintaining law and order, he warned that strict and impartial action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt peace, while urging parents to encourage their children to respect the law and contribute to a peaceful civic environment.

Attock: District authorities and organizers on Saturday finalized security and administrative arrangements for the annual central Chehlum procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), with officials expressing confidence that the event would be held peacefully through close coordination among all stakeholders.

The coordination meeting, chaired by Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Arif Qureshi at the office of DSP Saddar Circle Ilyas Baig, reviewed detailed plans for the procession scheduled to begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday from Imambargah Panjtani Attock City. Discussions focused on security, traffic management, sanitation, medical services and other logistical measures. Senior police officers, municipal officials, representatives of Anjuman Jaanisaran-e-Hussain, religious scholars, volunteer teams and community leaders attended the meeting.

President of Anjuman Jaanisaran-e-Hussain and Imambargah Panjtani Attock City, Syed Raza Haider Naqvi, said all arrangements for the annual procession had been completed. He said the procession would proceed from Imambargah Panjtani through Madni Chowk, Fawara Chowk, Committee Chowk, Kutchery Chowk and Session Chowk before concluding in the evening at Imambargah Kamil Pur Syedan in Attock Cantt.

Concluding the meeting, organizers reaffirmed their full cooperation with the district administration, police and other departments to ensure the procession is conducted in a peaceful, orderly and well-managed manner. They also appreciated the authorities’ support and stressed the importance of maintaining an atmosphere of harmony, mutual respect and effective coordination throughout the event.

Multan: Rescue 1122 Multan responded to 13, 486 emergencies and rescued 13, 538 people during July 2026, District Emergency Officer(DEO) Dr. Hussain Mian said on Saturday. He said the emergency service maintained an average response time of less than seven minutes during the month.

According to Rescue 1122 data, the service responded to 2, 763 road traffic accidents, 109 fire incidents, 311 crime-related emergencies, eight building collapse incidents and 8, 065 medical cases, including cardiac, respiratory and gynaecological emergencies.

The district emergency officer said 5, 461 victims were shifted to hospitals while 6, 929 people were provided first aid at the scene. He added that 24 people died on the spot in road accidents while 678 patients were transferred between hospitals on doctors’ recommendations for better treatment.

Rescue teams also rescued and treated 58 animals during the month, he said.

DEO Dr. Hussain said the district administration had imposed a ban under Section-144 on bathing in rivers, canals, streams, rainwater drains and ponds due to the monsoon season and the threat of flooding.

He said Rescue 1122 had established nine flood response points across the district, including Multan City, Multan Saddar, Shujabad and Jalalpur Pirwala.

The points had been equipped with trained rescuers, boats, life jackets and other necessary equipment to deal with any emergency.

The official urged citizens to avoid entering rivers, canals and other water bodies during the monsoon and stay away from dilapidated buildings, rooftops, electric poles and exposed wires.

He also advised motorists to follow traffic rules, avoid speeding and use helmets and seat belts during rainy weather.

Citizens were urged to contact Rescue 1122 immediately in case of any emergency.

Bahawalpur: Students aged eight to 35 years have been invited to get them registered for participating in Hifz and Qirat competition. According to an offical press release issued here, they are eligible to participate in the competition. Contestants securing first position at the district level will qualify to compete in the provincial-level contests.

‘The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), and the Punjab Auqaf Department are jointly organizing Hifz and Husn-e-Qirat Competition, ‘ it said. The competition will be held

in various categories covering Hifz and Husn-e-Qirat.

Registration for the Husn-e-Qirat Competition will be conducted at the offices of the respective District Managers of Auqaf during official working hours from August 3 to August 4, 2026. Interested candidates in Bahawalpur have been advised to contact the District Manager Auqaf Office to complete their registration within the specified date.

Peshawar: A man tragically lost his life on Saturday after drowning in a canal near Shalam Bridge while fishing. According to District Emergency Officer Iftikhar Khan, the victim, identified as Tayyab, accidentally slipped and drowned while casting his net into the water.

Although a Rescue 1122 medical team swiftly responded to the spot, local residents had already pulled Tayyab out of the canal.

Rescue personnel provided immediate first aid before hastily transporting him to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Following necessary legal and medical procedures, the deceased’s body was handed over to his relatives.