TOBA TEK SINGH: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested a man for involvement in illegal foreign currency business in Faisalabad on Sunday.

A press release said Faridullah of Qila Saifullah, Balochistan, was doing business of foreign currency exchange illegally near Hajveri Mosque in Jinnah Colony. During the raid, the suspect was caught red-handed with 180m Iranian rials (Rs38,000) and two mobile phones. Foreign exchange rates, transaction details, bank receipts and important evidence related to Hundi through WhatsApp were also recovered from his mobile phones.

According to the initial investigation, the suspect used to import foreign currency from Iran border areas and Quetta and supply it to people in different cities of Pakistan. This business was being carried out by him without any licence or permit. A case has been registered.

ELECTROCUTED: A worker was electrocuted on Sunday at Gojra.

Police said Ehtisham Ashraf (17) of Lodhran was employed as a worker in an aluminum doors manufacturing factory at Chak 85-JB. He was washing solar panels installed on the rooftop of the factory when he received heavy electric shocks. As a result, he became unconscious. He was shifted to a private hospital where he expired.

Meanwhile, a woman committed suicide by jumping into the Upper Chenab Canal on Lahore Road near Chak Khanpur in Sheikhupura. She has been identified as Iqra Bibi (30), wife of Irfan of Chak Khanpur. Reason behind her suicide could not be known.

Till this report was filed, the rescuers were doing efforts to find her body.

FWMC: Labour Qaumi Movement chairman Baba Latif Insari has condemned the Faisalabad Waste Management Company (FWMC) managing director for cancelling the contracts of 23 dumper loader-rickshaw drivers for participating in a protest demonstration two days back outside the office of DC Faisalabad.

In a statement on Sunday, Insari said the 23 rickshaw drivers were protesting against the nonpayment of their salaries for one month and 24 days. He demanded restoration of their contract and urged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to direct the FWMC MD to avoid such anti-labour action as drivers worked hard in extreme heat to keep the city clean.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) governing body member in Pakistan, Saad Muhammad, in a letter to Faisalabad DC, expressed grave concerns at firing 23 rickshaw drivers. He said the action was a violation of the ILO Convention signed by Pakistan. He demanded immediate reinstatement of all 23 rickshaw drivers.

ACCIDENTS: Seven people died and 20 were injured in three road accidents in different districts of central Punjab.

Two persons died after a speeding van rammed into a sugarcane-laden tractor-trolly near Saloni Jhal on Samundri Road in Faisalabad. As a result, the tractor overturned and its driver got trapped under it while the van driver was also injured critically. Both were rescued but they died due to critical injuries. They were identified as Qurban Hussain (22) and Saif Masih (45).

Three persons, including a traffic police warden, died and more than 20 passengers were injured as a result of a head-on collision between a bus and a traffic police van near Hajikot Adda on Kala Khatai Road of Sheikhupura. Rescue 1122 report said the accident took place because the bus driver had dozed off. The bus was going to Lahore from Narang Mandi. The deceased were identified as traffic police warden Ghulam Hussain, bus driver Ustad Bodi and passenger Muhammad Idrees.

Meanwhile, two car riders died when their car crashed into an electric pole and overturned while saving a child on the road in Chak 89-GB near Satiana Sabzi Mandi. Two of the five persons in the car died on the spot. They were identified as Sajid Riaz (42) and Umar Arshad (30).

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026