TOBA TEK SINGH: The Ishqabad Literary Festival was held in collaboration with the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) at the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium of the Faisalabad Arts Council.

FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry was the chief guest. A press release said five sessions were held in which renowned poets, writers and intellectuals like Iftikhar Arif, Asghar Nadeem Syed and Abbas Tabish, Adnan Baig, Sofia Bedar, Adeel Hashmi, Qazi Ali Abul Hasan, Dr Sheeba Alam, Rehman Faris, Rehan Zayer and others spoke about the impact of literature and culture on human evolution and society.

Punjabi dialects, social impact of poetry, speech and literary creations, a documentary film on Bhagat Singh were also discussed. At the end, a Mushaira was held under the chairmanship of Iftikhar Arif.

FDA Director General Muhammad Asif said the aim of the literary festival was to further promote literary activities and satisfy the taste of literature lovers. He said literary creators of various genres were bright stars of the society who, through their writings promoted social reform, spread love, increased social awareness and taught the skill of living.

BLASPHEMY: Garh Maharaja police in Jhang arrested a man on blasphemy charges.

The complainant, a resident of Ahmadpur Sial claimed, in his FIR registered under Section 298-A of PPC, the suspect had sent voice messages on WhatsApp to the people in which he used blasphemous language against the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

At this, police arrested the suspect and shifted him to Jhang jail.

SHOOTING: Unidentified attackers opened fire on two men near Niazi Chowk on Jamal Road, Khanewal.

As result of the shooting, both men, Shamshad Manzoor (25) and Muhammad Ramzan (42), were critically wounded. They were sent to Khanewal DHQ Hospital where Shamshad succumbed to his injuries while the condition of Ramzan was stated to be serious.

MURDER: A man, who was accused of killing his wife, has been murdered by unidentified persons at Lundianwala in Jaranwala.

Riaz Kharal, a resident of Chak 642-GB, was in jail for the last six years in murder case of his wife and he was recently released. He was on the way on his motorcycle when attackers opened fire on him. As a result, he died on the spot.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2025