TOBA TEK SINGH: The National Highway & Motorway Police (NHMP) claim to have foiled a kidnap for ransom attempt on M-3 Motorway by taking timely action on Saturday.

According to a motorway police spokesperson, the accused, wearing police uniforms, had kidnapped one Shahbaz Ahmad from Mandi Faizabad in Nankana Sahib and had demanded a huge ransom money from his heirs.

He claimed the motorway police found their activities suspicious in the service area. He claimed the motorway police took action and arrested one accused, while his three armed accomplices escaped. He said the abductee was recovered along with illegal arms and steel chains.

According to initial investigations, the said vehicle was used by the accused persons in several crimes in Sheikhupura, while further investigations were underway.

After completing all legal proceedings, the accused and the recovered goods were handed over to the Nankana Sahib police for further action.

Meanwhile, the Nankana Sahib Saddar police arrested an alleged robber late on Friday night in injured condition after an encounter.

Police claimed that two suspects on a motorcycle were stopped at a picket but they opened fire on the policemen, which was also returned. When the firing stopped, police claimed to have found one suspect in injured condition lying on the ground. Police claimed the suspect received multiple bullets fired by his own accomplice, who escaped in the darkness of the night.

The injured suspect was identified as Iqbal and he was found to be wanted in 12 robberies in Faisalabad and other districts. He had been shifted to the hospital.

HUMAN SMUGGLER HELD: A man involved in human smuggling to Europe via Libya has been arrested from Bhera, Sargodha on Saturday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has said.

A Faisalabad FIA spokesperson claimed that mobile phone and documents were recovered from the accused, identified as Qandeel Ghafoor, which contained records of fake visas, transactions and copies of passports.

A case has been registered against him under the Immigration Ordinance and Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act and section 109 of the PPC.

FILTRATION PLANT: The water filtration plant established in the Low Income Housing Scheme Phase 1 at Toba has been non-functional for the past two months, creating difficulties for residents of the scheme and its surrounding localities.

According to locals, the closure of the filtration plant was severely affecting daily life, as they were forced to buy mineral water at high prices or use substandard water, increasing the risk of diseases. The residents expressed serious concern over the inaction of municipal authorities and claimed that despite repeated complaints, the problem had not been resolved. They demanded immediate notice from the deputy commissioner and said that the filtration plant should be made functional at the earliest to ensure provision of clean and safe water.

MC officials claimed that repair work of the plant was underway and it would be made functional soon.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026