Child thrown into manhole in Toba Tek Singh, six booked

TOBA TEK SINGH: Police have registered a case against six people in connection with the death of a four-year-old girl who fell into a manhole and drowned seven days ago in Tayyaba Town, Tandlianwala.

According to the first information report filed by complainant Laraib Qasim, her daughter Hania, 4, had gone outside on the evening of May 10 to play in the street. In the complaint, she alleged that Mudassar Malik, his son Usama Malik and Shahzad Butt caught the child and threw her into a manhole, causing her to drown.

The complainant further stated in the FIR that the incident was carried out in revenge because her husband, Qasim Ali, had repeatedly refused to sell their house to the accused at what she described as a throwaway price.

Police were investigating the case.

Other incidents reported from the region

In a separate development, an elderly man was allegedly killed after a dispute over lifting cattle dung placed outside a funeral prayers area in Chak 237 GB of Jaranwala tehsil on Sunday.

Police said Sadiq Ali exchanged harsh words with Shoukat. They alleged that Shoukat, along with accomplices, subjected him to severe torture, leaving him unconscious. He was being taken to Jaranwala THQ Hospital but died from his injuries on the way.

Also on Sunday, a man was killed and a woman was critically injured in a head-on collision between a loader motorcycle rickshaw and a motorcycle near Omar Hospital on Race Course Road in Faisalabad.

Rescue 1122 identified the deceased as 55-year-old Muhammad Akram, who died at the scene. His wife, Zarina, 50, suffered serious injuries and was shifted to Allied Hospital.

In another road accident, a motorcyclist died after losing control of his speeding bike and crashing into a footpath in Chak Jhumra on Sunday evening. Rescue 1122 said Nisar Ahmad, 38, of Sheikhupura was travelling near the fruit and vegetable market in Chak Jhumra when the accident occurred. He sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, an assistant professor at Government Ghulam Muhammadabad General Teaching Hospital died after a medicine overdose.

Police officials said Gulberg Police were informed about the death of a woman in B Block of Gulberg locality. On reaching the house, officers were told that Dr Farzana Naz had depression and used to take pills for the condition. They said that on Saturday she took four pills at the same time in the presence of her son. When her condition worsened, she was first taken by private car to the emergency ward of Allied Hospital and later shifted to Ghulam Muhammadabad General Teaching Hospital, where she died the same night at 11:15pm.

Her funeral prayers were offered at Akbarabad graveyard on Sunday, attended by scores of people, including doctors.

Academic event at GCUF

Separately, Government College University Faisalabad inaugurated the third International Conference on Material Physics and Allied Technologies (MPA-Tech 2026) along with a hands-on training workshop on Sunday.

The opening session was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Dr Rauf-i-Azam. Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Nasir Amin and Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences Dr Muhammad Kaleem Khosa were also present, while former GCU Lahore Sciences Dean Dr Riaz Ahmad attended as chief guest.

Dr Rauf said material physics and modern technologies had become important in industrial development, energy, electronics, nanotechnology, medical sciences and other sectors. He added that the workshop would improve participants’ practical skills and familiarise them with modern scientific instruments and technologies.

Department of Physics Chairman Dr Ejaz Ahmad Khan highlighted the university’s efforts to promote a research culture. The conference included research presentations by 12 international researchers and scientists and 20 Pakistani scientists. Speakers from Singapore, Italy, Saudi Arabia, China, Portugal, Malaysia, the United States, Norway, Canada and Brazil presented papers, while scientists from Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and other cities also shared their academic work.