SAHIWAL: The regional office of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed to have arrested a suspected terrorist affiliated with a banned organisation from Benazir Road, Okara, on Tuesday night.

According to CTD sources, Hakim Ali originally from Tehsil Sanjhoro, Sanghar, (Sindh), was allegedly associated with the proscribed militant Islamic State (IS) group (Daesh). He was reportedly found distributing banned literature related to jihad, along with stickers and several pamphlets.

A case was registered under sections 11-F(2), 11-G(2), 11-W, and 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, based on the complaint lodged by Azhar Hayat of CTD police station, Sahiwal.

PECA: Local police arrested a man on Tuesday night from Iqbalnagar under sections 20 and 21 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 for allegedly spreading hate material targeting state institutions, and federal and provincial governments via social media platforms.

Reports said Muhammad Aslam, a resident of 5/14-L and former office-bearer of PTI, was reportedly running a sustained hate campaign from his personal Facebook account.

The case was registered on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Khalid Pervaiz of Kasowal police station.

ELECTROCUTED: A young electrician from Harappa was electrocuted while installing decorative lighting for Independence Day celebrations at the roof of District Headquarters Hospital, Pakpattan.

Reports said Hamza, a resident of 104/7AR, Harappa Town, was working on the rooftop of the hospital when the incident occurred.

Eyewitnesses said Hamza was hanging lights and related equipment as part of the provincial government’s directive to illuminate public buildings for Aug 14. While working, he accidentally came into contact with a low-hanging high-voltage power line running across the hospital building. Upon touching the live wires, he fell on rooftop. Hamza’s co-workers immediately rushed him to the hospital’s emergency ward, but doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.

Medical Superintendent Dr. Ihsan confirmed that Hamza had been engaged for the illumination work by the hospital’s logistics officer through a local contractor.

After completing the necessary documentation, the body was handed over to the family.

In a separate incident, a fire broke out in the hospital’s medicine store on Tuesday night. Rescue 1122 teams arrived promptly and extinguished the blaze within 20 minutes.

MS Dr. Ihsan said the fire was accidental and triggered by a short circuit.

It merits mentioning that the medicine store is currently under audit following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s visit to the hospital in the first week of July. Her visit was in response to the tragic death of 20 infants in the paediatric ward from June 17-22.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2025