TOBA TEK SINGH: Three workers died of suffocation as a result of ammonia gas cylinder explosion which occurred due to the leakage at an ice factory near Bypass Road in Shorkot city, Jhang, on Wednesday.

A Rescue 1122 team rushed to the scene and attempted to provide first aid, but all three workers had already expired.

Officials said the incident occurred due to the negligence of the factory’s staff.

The deceased were identified as Abdul Rehman (60), Muhammad Shahid (36), and Allah Ditta (45). A wall of the factory also caved in.

ACE: The Faisalabad Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) on Wednesday booked a man, Abid Hussain of Gojra, for allegedly depriving a woman, Gulraiz Bano, of her inherited property by tampering with revenue records in connivance with Gojra patwari Khaleeq Zaman and tehsildar Saeed Joya.

According to the first information report registered by ACE under Sections 420, 468, and 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section 5/2/47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), the complainant stated that a court had ruled in her favour. The patwari and tehsildar were appointed as referees to demarcate her land, but instead of doing so, they allegedly accepted a bribe from Abid Hussain and transferred her share to him.

The ACE officials said raids are being conducted to arrest the suspects. However, the FIR said the role of the patwari and tehsildar will be determined during the investigation.

SECURITY FENCING: The Motorway Police on Wednesday recovered 300 metres of stolen security fencing near the M-3 Pir Mahal Interchange and arrested two suspects.

According to Motorway Police Central Region spokesperson Syed Imran Ahmed, the operation was carried out jointly with Toba Police. Acting on a tip-off, a successful raid was conducted at Chak 317-GB, leading to the arrest of both suspects.

Local police said the suspects were also wanted in several other theft cases. Legal action has been initiated, and further investigation is underway.

PROJECTS: The Divisional Development Working Party on Wednesday approved multiple development projects, including the beautification of Faisalabad’s Aminpur Bazaar at a cost of Rs200 million and Jhang Bazaar at Rs390m.

The meeting also granted revised approval for the construction of the District Population Welfare Complex in Chiniot at a cost of Rs120m. Moreover, the implementation of the Kulsoom Nawaz Block and provision of missing facilities at Government Girls Graduate College, Ghulam Muhammadabad, was approved at a cost of Rs370m.

The meeting was chaired by Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen, with Faisalabad DC Nadeem Nasir and Chiniot DC Ayesha Rizwan briefing participants on the projects.

It was informed that the projects include underground electricity wiring, installation of lights, upgrading of the sewage system, and installation of benches in Aminpur Bazaar and Jhang Bazaar.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2026