FAISALABAD, Oct 31: Two suspected cases of dengue fever have been reported at the district headquarters hospital (DHQ) here on Tuesday. Newly-married Sana Irshad, 24, and her eleven-year-old brother Osma, were brought to the DHQ hospital with the complaints of high fever, DIC (disseminated intra-vascular coagulation) and very low platelet count.

DHQ Medical Superintendent Dr Mohammad Siddique, dispelling the impression of any imminent outbreak in the city similar to the one in Karachi, told Dawn the girl belonged to the port city and was married to a man in Faisalabad a couple of days ago. “We are not sure that they have been suffering from the dengue fever but symptoms are there. However, anything could be said with certainty in the light of laboratory reports as patients’ blood samples have been sent for tests.”

Sources said the DHQ administration had informed the health department high-ups that patients had been migrated from Karachi having the history of high-grade fever with muscular pain.

On the other hand, health experts have been put on high alert and special arrangements have also been made to cope with the expected dengue fever patients.

Hospital sources said there was no facility for conducting the relevant blood tests in the district which shows the apathy of the officials concerned and the rulers as well.

Leghari: Former president of Pakistan, Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, has expressed his astonishment over the Bajaur operation that left more than 80 people dead.

He was speaking to reporters at the residence of ex-MPA Fazal Husain Rahi after condoling his death with his family members here on Tuesday.

Mr Leghari said, “I came to know about the incident through a foreign TV channel which reported that the US armymen attacked and killed people in Bajaur agency during an operation. A tribal jirga was due in the area, but the operation was carried out before its meeting.”

He urged the government to inform the masses about details of the operation.

Regarding Women Protection Bill, he said it had nothing against the Quran and Sunnah.

“We should discuss all reservations in the parliament as it is a suitable platform for the purpose.”

To a query, he said, Nawaz Sharif could not come into the country because he had signed an agreement with the government and if he tried to come, he might face the same fate like his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif.