NAROWAL: The employees working under the Punjab AIDS Control Programme are facing a severe financial crisis with many of them not getting paid their salaries for up to five months.

The situation has become increasingly dire as employees are unable to meet basic living expenses during Ramazan.

According to Dr Saqib Ali of District Headquarters Hospital Narowal, the salaries of the affected employees were withheld by the programme’s head office for months, with no communication from the authorities regarding the time of payment.

One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his frustration: “We have been left without any money for the past three months. In Ramazan, it’s especially difficult as we struggle to meet the needs of our families. The situation is unbearable and we are seeking answers from the government.”

The unpaid workers have appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the health minister to take notice of the situation, release unpaid salaries. The workers have also expressed their concerns at the lack of response from the head office, and some have raised questions about the transparency and efficiency of the administration in handling funds.

“We need our voices to be heard. We demand that CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz and health minister take notice of our plight and ensure that salaries are paid without any further delay. Those responsible for this negligence should be held accountable and should step down from their positions,” said another worker.

He said the employees are now turning to the media, hoping that their situation will be highlighted and their issues addressed by the relevant authorities.

gang busted: The Sialkot police arrested the wanted ‘Talha’ gang involved in dozens of robbery incidents.

Police recovered motorcycles, mobile phones, cash and illegal weapons from the suspects.

DPO Faisal Shahzad told Dawn that complaints of house and road robberies were being received. A team was constituted to arrest the accused and Inspector Noman Ahmed, Ugoki station house officer, with a police team arrested Talha, Shahbaz and Ali Haider.

He said the suspects had confessed to 40 robbery cases during the initial investigation. The suspects belong to Faisalabad.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2025