BAHAWALPUR: Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman gave away degrees to 200 medical graduates at the 7th convocation of the Quaid-i-Azam Medical College (QAMC) here on Friday.

A graduate, Ms Rimsha Talat, stood out for receiving all the seventeen gold medals from the governor, who appreciated her hard work during her studies at the QAMC.

In his presidential address, the governor, while describing the young medical graduates as a precious asset for the country, stressed that high-level research in health and education sectors was the need of the hour.

He asked the medical graduates to also utilise technology in a positive manner to progress further, besides acquiring higher education and knowledge. He gave credit to the PML-N government for setting up a blood bank and 400-bed Sir Sadiq Hospital in Bahawalpur.

He said the government also approved a science and technology institute in Bahawalpur, for which the federal government has allocated the budget.

Mr Rehaman also condemned May 9 violence by the PTI activists.

Earlier, QAMC Principal Prof Dr Sofia Farrukh, in her welcome address dwelt at length on the college’s progress, curriculum and extra-curricular activities during the previous years and said the QAMC was moving on the road to progress and its outgoing medical graduates were serving the ailing humanity on important slots in various premier medical institutions of the country and abroad.

SUICIDE BID: An elderly woman allegedly attempted to commit suicide by jumping into a canal near Uch Sharif, some 70km from here, on Friday.

According to police emergency helpline 15 officials, the elderly woman identified as Kalsoom Bibi (60), a resident of Kachi Shikrani village, attempted suicide by jumping into the canal, but was rescued by locals, who also called the Rescue 1122 divers for help.

The rescuers quoting the Kalsoom Bibi said she attempted to end her life by drowning herself over alleged mistreatment and torture by her son and daughter-in-law.

She said her son and his wife did not give her proper food and subjected her to torture.

On being informed of the incident, a police team also arrived on the spot and after listening to the woman’s ordeal, took her to the police station for filing a complaint against her son and daughter-in-law.

Meanwhile, according to Rescue 1122 officials, another woman, Amina Bibi (55), was allegedly electrocuted while switching on a fan in her house in Baloowala Chowk, Basti Baqirpur, on Friday.

Besides, a motorcyclists died after being hit by a speeding loader truck near Kot Azam on Khairpur-Mailsi Road, about 45km from here.

Police claimed to have arrested the truck driver.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2023