SAHIWAL: A labourer died while another sustained injuries when a sand mound collapsed on them during sand mining at Chak 27/SP, on Gogera Road in Pakpattan.

A landowner had engaged labourers to extract sand from the site. The sand was being loaded onto tractor-trolleys for transportation. During digging, the mound gave way, fell down, trapping two labourers beneath.

Rescue sources said Muhammad Ayub, 26, a resident of the same village, died due to severe rib injuries, while Muhammad Yaqoob, 45, was rescued in an injured condition. He was shifted to the DHQ Hospital, Pakpattan.

Mr Hammad, Assistant Director of the District Mines and Minerals Department, told Dawn by phone that Pakpattan district had six officially designated sand mining zones, operated by registered contractors. However, Chak 27/SP did not fall within these zones, indicating that private contractors were excavating sand without authorization. He said two brothers had taken this land on contract and they were excavating sand privately.

SEALED SHOPS: Out of 302 government-owned rented shops sealed in Sahiwal tehsil earlier this month, 238 have reopened after owners cleared their dues0 amounting to Rs30.5m. However, 64 shops remain sealed, with outstanding rent arrears close to Rs23.8m.

These government owned rented shops are located in three major commercial areas. Of them, 177 are located in Railway Bazaar, 77 in Sarki Bazaar, and 48 in the Jhal Road Market. The shops were sealed by District Collector Samiullah Farooq after the owners were declared defaulters of Rs61.08m in rent payments during the first week of March.

According to Mr Farooq, the shopkeepers had defaulted for 13 months, failing to pay monthly rent since January 2025 under revised rates. Each shop owner owed from Rs50,000 to Rs300,000. Colony Assistant Kazim Ali said in January 2025, revised rents were imposed based on shop size, nature, and location but shop owners refused to pay under new rates. They made no payments despite repeated notices and negotiations with representatives of trader bodies.

All 302 shops were sealed in early March.

DC directed shops were to be reopened only after owners paid their dues.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2026