BAHAWALPUR: The district administration on Thursday sealed four illegal blood banks and booked their as many owners as part of a crackdown on such establishments.

The action was taken on the orders of District Coordination Officer (DCO) Dr Ehtasham Anwar Mahar, after complaints were received in this regard.

According to the assistant commissioner concerned, the sealed blood banks -- Al-Minhaj, Dua Centre, Al-Rehmat, Thalassemia Centre -- were being run without valid licences and permission of the Blood Transfusion Authority.

During the raids, the AC who led the operation, said fake stamps of the Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), substandard blood syringes, 51 poorly stored blood pints and Rs120,000 cash were seized.

He said the blood pints were kept without maintaining the prescribed temperature and without mentioning the dates of extraction and expiry.

He said the seized blood pints, when examined by health department officials, were found to be sub-standard, which if injected to patients could cause them various diseases like hepatitis C, AIDS, Malaria, TB and serious infections.

Kotwali police have registered cases against the owners.

KILLED: Aerial firing during an engagement ceremony at Khanpur claimed the life of a child.

According to police sources, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Idrees Ahmed, who assumed the charge on Thursday, took notice of the incident and called an explanation and sought a report from Khanpur Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jamshed Ali Shah.

The RPO directed the three district police officers (DPOs) in the division to take strict measures to check aerial firing and ensure the protection of people’s life.

He warned that no negligence in this respect would be tolerated.

CAR RALLY: Participants in Pak-China car rally on Thursday passed through the city on Karachi Highway.

The participating cars and their Chinese occupants were given a warm welcome at the Sutlej Bridge.

The rally was on its way to Sukkur from Multan.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2016