TOBA TEK SINGH: The University of Kamalia and Baba Guru Nanak University (BGNU), Nankana Sahib, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to establish collaboration in teaching and research.

The formal signing ceremony took place in the presence of Dr Muhammad Afzal, vice chancellor of BGNU and Dr Yasir Nawab, vice chancellor of the University of Kamalia. This MoU lays the foundation for joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programmes, and cooperative educational initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education and research innovation.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Muhammad Afzal highlighted the importance of academic partnerships in fostering knowledge-sharing and advancing research. Dr Yasir Nawab said the collaboration would leverage the strengths of both universities to address key academic and industry challenges.

A press release stated that the partnership is expected to facilitate interdisciplinary research, capacity-building programmes, and academic excellence, significantly contributing to the advancement of education and innovation in the region.

MURDER CASE RESOLVED: The blind murder case of a man found mysteriously killed in Satellite Town, Jhang, in October 2023 has been solved as with the victim’s son turned out to be the killer.

A Jhang police spokesperson told reporters on Monday that Muhammad Mumtaz, 55, had been attacked and killed with a sharp chopper. Upon interrogation, his son Raees Abbas confessed to the crime. He said that he did so because his father had decided to sell farmland and property to contract a second marriage.

METRO BUS: Departmental work is underway on planning a Metro Bus Service (MBS) under the bus rapid transit (BRT) system to provide dignified, affordable, and efficient urban transport facilities in Faisalabad.

A press release on Monday stated that a team from the Punjab Transport Department, led by Managing Director Punjab Mass Transit Authority (MTA) Kanwar Anwar Ali Khan, visited Faisalabad and held a meeting with Director General Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Muhammad Asif Chaudhry. The team included MTA General Manager Operations Uzair Shah, Manager Operations Rizwan Aziz, and senior engineers from Nespak.

FDA officials briefed the team on the proposed routes, ongoing studies, and consultations with stakeholders. FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry said the authority had provided full support to experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) during the project study. He emphasised the need for modern urban transport to accommodate Faisalabad’s growing population and urban expansion.

Punjab MTA Managing Director Kanwar Anwar Ali Khan said that during the visit, proposed routes were reviewed from a technical perspective, and Nespak engineers have been tasked with preparing a review report. The Secretary Transport Punjab will also meet with the district administration to inspect the routes and address planning issues.

He said the Punjab government would finalise a comprehensive strategy for the project, including route selection, based on expert recommendations and ground realities.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2025