SARGODHA: Illegal, non-custom paid tyres worth Rs30 million were seized by the Pakistan Customs at Bridge 111, Faisalabad Road, on Friday.

The department, on a tip-off, seized around 360 non-custom paid tyres used in 22-wheeler trailers. The operation also involved officers from Atta Shaheed Police Station, customs officials and other intelligence agencies.

Earlier, several illegal filling station agencies were exposed where petrol and diesel smuggled from Iran were sold.

TRAFFICKING: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested six people reportedly involved in human trafficking and illegal visa business for Austria, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Deputy Director Ahsan Bajwa said a three-member gang that had plundered millions of rupees from people for sending them abroad had set up a travel agency to attract people. The travel agency was sealed and its record was seized. He added that they had a link with a gang abroad and the FIA was working to arrest their accomplices as well.

Those arrested included Nasir Nathoka, the ringleader of the gang, and the affected people were being contacted to gather further proof against these gangsters.

CITRUS PROJECT: The University of Sargodha organised a farmer field day at Chak 118-NB under the Citrus Value Chain Project supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

The event served as a platform for citrus growers, rural women and agricultural experts to exchange experiences and review progress under the project.

Project Team Leader Prof Dr Muhammad Irfanullah said the initiative aimed at improving fruit quality, introducing efficient marketing mechanisms and increasing profitability for farmers through research-driven interventions.

Dr Luqman underscored the importance of farmer engagement and practical demonstrations in ensuring the adoption of modern production and post-harvest practices.

College of Agriculture Principal Prof Dr Ijaz Rasool Noorka termed the project a significant step towards bridging the gap between research and farming communities.

Faculty members and stakeholders, including Dr Raheel Anwar, Malik Abdul Rehman, Dr Saima Sadaf, Dr Muhammad Yaseen, Dr Ammara Aini and Dr Humera Amin also spoke.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2026