TOBA TEK SINGH: The Rajana police raided the residence of Chaudhry Muhammad Ramzan, PTI leader and ticket holder for PP-120, in Chak 191-GB Makhdoomanwala on Friday. However, he was not found at home.

Mr Ramzan is the brother of former governor Chaudhry Sarwar, who is the president of PML-Q.

In response to the recent defection of election candidates from the PTI to the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party, Advocate Mian Abdul Basit, founder member of the PTI, assured journalists on Friday that there was no shortage of leadership in Toba Tek Singh.

He said the morale of PTI workers remained high, and the departure of people from the party does not affect them.

He emphasised that those who leave the PTI make decisions based on personal interests rather than ideology or party affiliation. He mentioned that the party would not leave the political field unattended and would soon announce party office bearers at all levels. He asserted that despite facing fascist tactics, PTI’s vote bank remains intact, and the popularity of Imran Khan has not diminished.

PPP: Salim Tahir Gujjar, a former PML-N ticket holder for Jhang NA-109 and the senior vice president of Faisalabad division, announced his departure from the PML-N and his decision to join the PPP.

Jhang district PPP General Secretary Nawaz Khan informed reporters on Friday that Gujjar had also met PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari at Lahore Bilawal House.

RAPE: A man allegedly raped a girl in Gojra on Thursday night.

A widow from Chak 340-JB in an FIR registered by Nawan Lahore police, said her daughter was on her way to receive Quranic education from a teacher in the village when the suspect took her to his house, threatened her with harm, and raped her.

Authorities are conducting raids to apprehend the accused.

ACCIDENT: A bus collided with a motorcycle on Faisalabad Road in Gojra on Friday, resulting in the death of a child and critical injuries to three members of the family.

The injured people were identified as Muhammad Irshad, Wajiha Bibi, Muhammad Waqas, and Anusha Irshad from Chack 66-JB. While traveling towards Gojra, near Adda Dawakhri, their motorcycle was struck by a bus approaching from the opposite direction.

All four family members sustained serious injuries and were promptly taken to Gojra THQ Hospital. Waqas succumbed to his injuries.

ENGLISH WORKS: Expertise in the English language can significantly benefit Pakistani youth by enabling them to harness their entrepreneurial skills and increase their employment prospects both within and outside the country, according to Mr Andrew Schofer, deputy chief of the US Mission.

Mr Schofer made these remarks while speaking at the Career Expo organized for the graduates of the “English Works” programme at the Faisalabad Campus of the Education University, with technical and financial assistance from the US Consulate of Lahore. He expressed optimism that the participants of these courses would play a pivotal role in Pakistan’s comprehensive development and become valuable members of the international community.

William K Makaneole, US consul general, highlighted that 30,000 students from seven important cities in Pakistan have benefited from the “English Works” programme. He emphasized that Punjab offers vast opportunities for economic growth in the region, and this programme would help the students seize emerging opportunities, which would have a positive impact on Pakistan’s overall economy.

Dr Khurram Tariq, president of the FCCI, commended the US’s cooperation in integrating Pakistani youth into mainstream society, and he believed that the “English Works” programme would enhance the employability of Pakistani youth not only within the country but also on a global scale.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2023