BAHAWALPUR: A suspect was killed during an alleged encounter with Saddar Police Kahror Pucca near Rajapur.

According to police spokesperson Khan Bahadur, three armed motorcyclists snatched a motorcycle from a man at gunpoint. On receipt of an emergency call, police patrol blocked the road to intercept the suspects. When the suspects reached the picket, an exchange of fire between the suspects and police started.

After the firing stopped, the police found the body of a suspect, later identified as Farooq Mayo. Police claimed that he was killed by the firing of his accomplices.

Police alleged that the deceased was involved in 50 cases registered with different police stations. They recovered the snatched motorcycle along with an unlicensed rifle from the deceased. A case against his fleeing two accomplices was registered.

CAUGHT: The supervisory teams of teachers of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Bahawalpur, claimed to have nabbed five candidates using unfair means at examination halls during the English paper of annual Matric examination. According to a pressv release, unfair means cases (UMC) were registered against all five candidates.

It may be noted that 91,622 candidates are appearing in the exam at 274 examination centres in the Bahawalpur division.

Meanwhile, the press release added that disciplinary action under Peeda Act against 13 absentee teachers, including six women, was under process.

SERAIKI DAY: On the occasion of the Seraiki Ajrak Day, a festival was organised at Multan Fort where the Seraiki nationalist leaders highlighted the Seraiki culture and civilization through their speeches in various events.

The speakers also criticised what they described as ‘Takht-e-Lahore’ for the continued deprivations of the areas of the Seraiki belt. They demanded the Punjab government equal opportunities for welfare of local population as well as development like Lahore and other places for the upper Punjab.

Some of the activists also raised the demand for a Seraiki province.

ART FESTIVAL: The second edition of the annual Sadiq Art Festival started at the Sadiq Public School (SPS), Bahawalpur.

According to a press release, various events, including an art exhibition and painting competition, were organised. Besides 300 students of the Sadiq Public School, 82 students of a number of prominent schools participated in the art exhibition while 400 art pieces were exhibited.

Maryam Haider of the Army Public School won the first prize, Khadejatul Kubra of Govt Women College remained second and Aisha Amjad of Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) remained third.

SPS Principal David Dowdles gave away prizes to winners.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2025