BAHAWALPUR: At least 12 candidates were caught using unfair means during the Graduate Assessment Test (GAT-Law) conducted under the auspices of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Bahawalpur on Sunday.

Sources said that some of the candidates allegedly involved in cheating were reported to be sons of influential political and prominent personalities from various parts of upper Punjab.

A total of 369 candidates from across Punjab appeared in the HEC-administered test. During the examination, invigilators and supervisory staff deputed by HEC Islamabad detected multiple instances of malpractice and apprehended 12 candidates on the spot.

Of the suspects, two managed to flee the examination centre, while the remaining 10 submitted written affidavits admitting to the use of unfair means and seeking leniency.

INJURED SUSPECT HELD: The Mailsi Saddar police in Vehari district claimed to have arrested a criminal in an injured condition after an encounter at T Chowk picket on Monday.

According to Vehari police PRO, the Mailsi Saddar police team deployed at the picket spotted three suspects on a motorcycle and signalled them to stop for their identification. But, instead the suspects allegedly opened fire on police officials while fleeing towards Jallah Jeam.

The police team retaliated in self-defence. As the firing ceased, one of the three suspects was found lying injured on the roadside while his two armed accomplices fled away.

The injured identified as Jahangir was taken into police custody and Saddar Station House Officer Mujahid Khan Baloch shifted him to hospital for treatment. A pistol from the injured Jahangir was recovered and he was found involved in 11 cases of dacoity and robbery. Police booked his two fleeing accomplices and were conducting raids for their arrest.

COURSE: The Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB)’s department of Islamic studies in collaboration with the International Committee of Red Cross Pakistan (ICRC) organised a two-day training course on “Islam and international humanities law” at the local campus here on Monday.

According to an IUB press release, the objective of the course, attended by MPhil and PhD scholars of the department, was to familiarise the students with various legal aspects and important points of international humanitarian law.

The speakers in the inaugural session explained the Islamic principles for humanity and emphasised its necessity and importance in the present circumstances.

The keynote speakers included Dr. Ziaullah Rahmani, Regional Adviser for Islamic Law and ICRC Pakistan and legal expert, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed, Chairman, Department of Law, Shifa Tameer-i-Millat University, Islamabad.

The closing session was attended by IUB Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kamran. He reviewed the programme, calling it an important and timely initiative in line with the requirements of the present era.

OBITUARY: Begum Shamsa Abbasi, mother of last Bahawalpur Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi , who died in an Islamabad hospital on Sunday was laid to rest at her ancestral royal Abbasi family’s graveyard at Derawar Fort in Cholistan, 70km from here, on Saturday. She was 95.

She leaves behind son Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi and two princesses Yasmean Abbasi and Nushean Abbasi.

Shamsa Abbasi was the daughter-i-law of Bahawalpur Nawab Muhammad Sadiq Khan Abbasi V and wife of late Bahawalpur Nawab Brig Muhammad Abbas Abbasi, who was Punjab governor during the ZAB rule. She was the grand mother of prince Bahawal Khan Abbasi.

Funeral prayers were offered at historic Sadiq Garh palace inj Dera Nawab Sahib near Ahmedpur East, about 40 kms from here. Her body was then taken to Derawar Fort in Cholistan to lay her at the Abbasi Family’s graveyard.

Qul will be held on Wednesday (tomorrow) at Sadiq Garh palace, Dera Nawab Sahib.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2026