TOBA TEK SINGH: Seven members of a family suffered critical burns after a fire broke out in their house due to a gas leak from an LPG cylinder during breakfast preparation in Chak 66 JB Dhandhra on Jhang Road in Faisalabad on Sunday.

Rescue 1122 shifted them to the burn unit of Allied Hospital. The injured were identified as Qasim Ali, 40, his son Muhammad Ali, 2, his mother Shamim Bibi, 60, his sister Amna Bibi, 25, and three of his relatives—Kalshoom Bibi, 50, Fehmida Bibi, 37, and Arifa Bibi, 26.

GANG RAPE: A 16-year-old boy was gang-raped in Khurrianwala, Faisalabad, on Sunday.

Police said two suspects lured the boy to farmland, where they gang-raped him and filmed him naked. A police spokesperson claimed that one of the suspects had been arrested, while raids were being conducted to arrest his accomplice.

In another incident in Faisalabad’s Ghulam Muhammad Abad locality, a youth attempted to assault a seven-year-old child. According to police, the minor had gone to play with neighbourhood children when the suspect overpowered him and attempted to rape him. As the child raised alarm, the suspect fled leaving the child naked. Police later arrested him.

SEMINAR: A seminar on ‘Interfaith Harmony in Pakistani Society: Challenges and Prospects’ was organised on Sunday by the Department of Islamic Studies, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), in collaboration with the Punjab Government’s Department of Human Rights and Minority Affairs and an NGO.

Vice Chancellor Dr Rauf-i-Azam presided over the event and distinguished speakers included Dr Ghulam Shamsur Rehman, Dr Muhammad Humayun Abbas Shams, Muhammad Yousaf, Sajid Christopher, Dr Munazza Hayat, Father Younis Taufiq (Catholic Church), Dr Muhammad Abdullah, Dr Sultan Shah and Sardar Hakumat Singh Malhi.

Dr Rauf said that social harmony is not just a religious matter but is often used as a tool for personal, political and economic interests. He said that such seminars play a crucial role in promoting moderation, tolerance, and mutual respect.

Dr Yasir Arafat Awan said that the seminar was organised to highlight interfaith harmony in Pakistani society. Dr Rehman spoke on the challenges of interfaith harmony, calling the 21st century an era of opportunities. He called for adopting a modern approach to defining new paths for progress.

Speakers discussed national and international concerns and opportunities regarding interfaith harmony and stressed the importance of academic and literary contributions to this crucial subject, asserting that fostering mutual respect begins with understanding one another.

ACCIDENTS: A couple died and their female pillion rider was injuredafter a tractor trolley ran over their motorcycle on Tandlianwala-Sahiwal Road on Sunday evening.

According to Garh police, deceased Abdul Qayyum, 23, and his wife, Manahil, 20, were returning to their Chak 450 GB from Sahiwal after visiting relatives, accompanied by their cousin, Rehana Bibi, 25.

Near Majeed Chowk, their motorcycle collided with another bike coming from the opposite direction, causing all three to fall. A tractor trolley approaching from the opposite side ran over them, critically injuring all three. The couple died instantly, while Rehana was shifted to Kanjwani Rural Health Centre.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2025