SARGODHA: Survey work has begun on a massive Rs18 billion project to improve the drinking water supply and sewage system in Sargodha, with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The district administration says it has prioritised densely populated areas in the first phase, aiming to separate pipelines for drinking water and sewage to prevent contamination.

The tender process for these development works will begin in June, after which physical work is expected to commence.

The ADB has approved a grant of Rs18bn for this purpose, with the administration focusing on long-term infrastructure planning to match the city’s growing population and limited resources.

At the same time, the Punjab Clean Water Authority has launched efforts to restore 88 inactive water filtration plants across the Sargodha division.

According to sources, rehabilitation work is underway on 20 of the 35 plants in Sargodha district, of which 15 are expected to be operational by May 30, and the rest by June 30.

In Bhakkar, all eight filtration plants will become functional by next week. In Khushab, work is ongoing on four plants, and in Mianwali, 41 inactive plants are scheduled to be fully restored by the end of June.

Commissioner Malik Jahanzeb Awan has directed contractors to ensure quality and transparency. He said the timely completion of the clean water project is a top priority of the Punjab government.

VIDEO: A video has been posted online showing Kaleem Shah and his accomplices beating a youth with pipes and hunting sticks in Nabi Shah Bala in Bhalwal tehsil.

The footage shows the suspect and his men mercilessly thrashing Shah.

After this video, another video also surfaced, in which the same victim, flanked by his father and some of the suspects, says the video is “old” and downplays the incident. However, signs of fear are clearly visible on the faces of both the youth and his father.

Police said DPO Muhammad Sohaib Ashraf has taken notice of the footage.

A case was registered against Shah and his accomplices under sections 324, 355, 342, 147, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The suspects are now in police custody.

DPO Ashraf said strict and transparent legal action would be taken against the culprits.

Another video, showing a second act of similar violence by the same suspects also surfaced on Saturday.

MISSING: A 24-year-old youth from Islampura, identified as Farhan, went missing in a canal near 34 Chak 2 Kilo Mor while trying to catch pigeons.According to sources, Farhan jumped into the canal in pursuit of pigeons and never resurfaced.

Rescue teams are currently conducting a search operation to find him.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2025