TOBA TEK SINGH: Scores of powerloom workers from the Ghulam Muhammadabad industrial area of Faisalabad staged a protest demonstration on Monday against the in-charge of Siddhupura police post for allegedly torturing a 13-year-old worker and his mother and arresting the minor in what they said was a baseless old case.

Addressing the protesters, Labour Qaumi Movement chairman Baba Latif Insari alleged that powerloom worker Ghulam Mustafa had demanded payment of his wages, prompting the police to raid his house allegedly to please the factory owner. He claimed that the police tortured the minor and his mother before arresting him without any valid case against him.

He further alleged that the boy was also beaten at the police station.

Mr Insari warned that if Ghulam Mustafa was not released, the workers would be forced to stage a sit-in outside the police post.

DISMISSED: Faisalabad Regional Police Officer (RPO) Inamur Rehman Malik on Monday dismissed Sub-Inspector Hakim Ali, former station house officer (SHO) of City Toba Tek Singh police station, from service over gross misconduct and the illegal detention of an innocent rickshaw driver for seven days.

According to a press release, an inquiry conducted by a superintendent of police found SI Hakim Ali guilty of misconduct. The officer failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for his actions.

A review of his service record also revealed a poor disciplinary history, as he had reportedly faced suspension and dismissal on multiple occasions in the past.

Following the inquiry, SI Hakim Ali was summoned before the RPO, where departmental proceedings were considered. Based on the inquiry findings and his unsatisfactory service record, the RPO ordered his dismissal from service.

ACCIDENT: A woman was killed and her husband critically injured when a motorcycle-rickshaw hit them in Gojra on Sunday night.

Reports said the deceased identified as Surayya Bibi (70) and her husband Abdul Rehman (75) had travelled from Layyah to visit their relatives.

They were crossing Jhang Road on foot when the accident occurred, leaving both seriously injured. They were shifted to the Gojra Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, where Surayya Bibi succumbed to her injuries. Her husband was under treatment.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist was killed when a speeding coaster hit him on Kamalia-Chichawatni Road on Monday.

The motorcyclist, Ansar Sajjad (25) of Mauza Gurdasa, sustained a head injury and died on way to Kamalia THQ Hospital.

BAIL PLEAS REJECTED: A special judge (central) in Faisalabad on Monday rejected the pre-arrest bail applications of brothers Rehan Babar and Salman Babar in a case registered against them under the Immigration Ordinance, 1979, for allegedly receiving Rs38.7 million and providing fake certificates of sponsorship (COS) to a citizen, Akmal Hussain, and his two cousins on the pretext of securing jobs for them in the United Kingdom.

The court rejected their bail applications after hearing arguments presented by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

According to the FIA, investigators collected witness statements, bank transaction records, call recordings and other relevant documentary evidence during the inquiry.

A case was subsequently registered on the basis of the evidence.

Following the court’s decision, the FIA has intensified efforts to arrest the accused.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026