BAHAWALPUR: Fifteen cattle heads, including buffaloes, cows, sheep and goats worth hundreds of thousands of rupees perished in a fire which mysteriously broke out in a cattle pen of a man at village 98-DB Basti Allah Ditta in tehsil Yazman, about 40 kms from here, on Tuesday.

According to Rescue 1122 District Emergency Officer Baqir Hussain, two vehicles along with an ambulance were dispatched to the scene, where the rescuers fought with flames for over an hour, bringing the fire under control. He said as many as 15 animals were burnt alive.

He said it was a large Haveli, where a section was set up as a cattle pen with livestock tied with rope. However, neither an attendant nor the owner was present. It was learned that the owner and his family had gone to another village for a meal.

He said there were 18 animals in total; fifteen were burned alive, and only three could be rescued. He said the cause of the fire could not be ascertained.

YOUM-I-TAKBEER: Special functions and events in connection with the observance of Youm-i-Takbeer were held on Tuesday in three districts of Bahawalpur, Lodhran and Vehari on Tuesday.

In Bahawalpur, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, IUB Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr.Naveed Akhtar of Islamia Universty, former high court bar association president Sardar Iqbal Khawkwani, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of District Education Authority (DEA) Muhammad Akram and others addressed seminars and functions at various places followed by a rally.

In Lodhran, a Youm-i-Takbeer rally was addressed by education CEO Naik Muhammad Sheikh and Deputy Director Public Relations Nauman Masood, Chief Officer MC Lodhran Ms. Anam Masoom Khan and others.

The rally was largely participated by government officials, political and social leaders and civil society members.

In Vehari, PML-N leaders held a number of functions while education department officials took out a rally.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2024