DERA GHAZI KHAN: A child died at the pediatric ward of the Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital due to alleged delayed treatment.

The family staged a protest outside the ward, demanding justice for the negligence. A video clip of protest by the father of the deceased child went viral on social media in which the medical superintendent was trying to cool him down.

The family of the child claimed that the hospital staff failed to provide timely medical assistance to him, leading to his death. Distraught relatives protested under the blazing sun, condemning the hospital’s alleged mismanagement.

The authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. The family demands a thorough investigation and action against those responsible.

When this correspondent contacted Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Shahid Magsi, he was not available for comments despite repeated calls and messages.

SMUGGLING: An attempt to smuggle cigarettes was foiled at the check post Ghazi Ghat.

The police searched two suspicious cars and seized 2,770 packs of smuggled cigarettes (worth Rs5.54m) and 1,154 packets of hot filter/cool filter tobacco (worth Rs634,700). Additionally, a 9mm pistol along with bullets and a magazine were also recovered from one of the cars.

Both cars and the confiscated items were handed over to customs while the suspects were arrested.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2025