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A 30-year-old man was successfully rescued after falling into a 120-foot-deep well in Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi district, following a swift emergency response by Rescue 1122. The incident occurred in the Miana Phambal area of Gujar Khan, where the man, identified as Waqas, accidentally fell into a deep brick-lined well. Authorities were alerted immediately, prompting Rescue 1122 teams to rush to the scene and launch a carefully planned rescue operation. According to rescue officials, the well was approximately 120 feet deep and constructed with brick walls, making the rescue operation particularly challenging. Despite the difficult conditions, trained rescuers safely reached the trapped man using specialized rescue equipment and techniques. After reaching Waqas, rescue personnel secured him with safety gear and carefully lifted him out of the well. The operation was completed successfully, ensuring that the victim was brought to safety without further injury. Following the rescue, emergency medical personnel provided Waqas with first aid at the scene before assessing his condition. Officials said the timely response and professional handling of the incident played a crucial role in saving his life. Rescue 1122 officials praised the efforts of the emergency responders, whose quick action and expertise helped prevent a potentially fatal outcome. The incident also highlighted the importance of rapid emergency response services in handling high-risk rescue situations. Authorities have not yet disclosed how the man fell into the well, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review. Local officials have urged residents to exercise caution around uncovered or deep wells, particularly in rural areas where such structures may pose serious safety hazards. The successful rescue once again demonstrates the preparedness and efficiency of Rescue 1122 teams in responding to emergencies across Punjab. Their prompt action ensured that another life was saved through coordinated planning, technical expertise, and dedication. Residents have appreciated the efforts of the rescue personnel and emphasized the need for greater awareness about safety measures around wells and other hazardous locations to help prevent similar accidents in the future.

A bus belonging to the University of the Punjab met with an accident after it fell into a ravine while attempting to avoid a car on the road. According to the spokesperson of Punjab University, the incident resulted in injuries to 16 university employees who were travelling on the bus at the time of the accident. The university spokesperson stated that the bus was carrying employees of the Transport Wing when the accident occurred. A total of 19 employees were present on the bus. The vehicle was reportedly travelling along its route when the driver suddenly tried to save the bus from colliding with a car. During this attempt, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a nearby ravine. Following the accident, rescue teams and university officials reached the site to assist the injured passengers. The injured employees were immediately provided with medical aid and shifted to nearby hospitals for further treatment. The condition of the injured employees was being monitored by medical teams. The university administration expressed concern over the incident and assured that all necessary support would be provided to the affected employees and their families. Officials also began gathering information about the circumstances that led to the accident to determine the exact cause. Road accidents involving university transport vehicles often raise concerns about road safety, vehicle maintenance, and driver precautions. Authorities usually emphasize the importance of careful driving, regular vehicle inspections, and strict compliance with traffic rules to prevent such incidents in the future. The Punjab University spokesperson further stated that the university administration was closely following the situation and ensuring that injured employees received proper medical treatment. The officials also visited the injured individuals to inquire about their health and provide necessary assistance. The accident created concern among the university community, including students, faculty members, and employees. Many expressed their wishes for the quick recovery of those injured in the incident. The university community also highlighted the importance of improving safety measures for employees who rely on university transport services. Transport facilities play an important role in helping university staff and students travel safely, especially in large educational institutions. Ensuring that buses are properly maintained and drivers are trained to handle emergency situations is considered essential for reducing the risk of accidents. Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident to identify whether any technical issues, road conditions, or other factors contributed to the accident. The findings of the investigation may help in introducing additional safety measures for university transportation in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible driving. While the quick action of the driver to avoid a collision may have prevented a direct crash with the car, the situation ultimately resulted in the bus falling into a ravine and causing injuries to several passengers. The Punjab University administration has assured that the safety and well-being of its employees remain a priority and that further steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The injured employees continue to receive medical attention as officials monitor their recovery.

Lahore: A joint platform representing teachers, officers, employees, and other stakeholders at the University of the Punjab has accused the university administration of driving the country’s oldest and largest public university into a deep financial, administrative, academic, and research crisis, while warning of a protest movement if their demands remain unaddressed within two weeks. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) said its purpose was not to target individuals but to present what it described as documented concerns regarding the university’s governance, financial management, academic standards, and research environment. The committee appealed to the Chancellor of the University, the Governor of Punjab, and the provincial government to intervene immediately to safeguard the institution.   The committee alleged that reserve funds worth approximately Rs4.88 billion, accumulated over many years, had been utilized within just 14 months without approval from the Finance and Planning Committee. It claimed that the university’s 2025–26 budget reflected a deficit of Rs2.57 billion and argued that, when combined with the depletion of reserves, the institution was effectively facing a financial shortfall of nearly Rs8 billion. It also questioned expenditures allegedly made beyond approved budget limits and called for greater transparency in financial decision-making. JAC further claimed that around Rs786 million belonging to various academic departments and institutes had been transferred to a central account under the One-Account Policy and later utilized, raising questions about whether the expenditures had received approval from the relevant statutory bodies. It also expressed concern over what it described as the first-ever financial deficit of nearly Rs350 million in the university’s self-supporting programmes. The committee also pointed to an apparent discrepancy in financial reporting, claiming that while the Finance and Planning Committee was informed of a Rs2.57 billion budget deficit at the end of the financial year, a subsequent Syndicate meeting was told the deficit stood at Rs1.6 billion. According to the committee, the variation requires a transparent explanation. Expressing concern over campus security, the committee referred to the killing of a student and the son of a university employee near the Vice Chancellor’s residence despite the presence of armed security personnel, arguing that the incident had raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the university’s security arrangements. On governance, the committee alleged that key statutory bodies, including the Senate, Deans’ Committee, Chairpersons’ Committee, Syndicate, and Selection Boards, had met only infrequently during the current administration, resulting in delays in appointments, promotions, and major policy decisions. It further criticized what it described as an excessive concentration of administrative authority in the office of the Director General (Students, Estate and Security), saying such an arrangement was inconsistent with principles of transparency, institutional balance, and accountability. The committee also referred to pending complaints and inquiries involving the office-holder, questioning the wisdom of assigning additional responsibilities while such matters remain unresolved. Highlighting academic concerns, JAC said the university had slipped from 542nd to 588th position in the QS World University Rankings and had also experienced a decline in the Higher Education Commission’s Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) rankings. It alleged that faculty members were facing an atmosphere of insecurity and harassment, while research grants, travel support, and publication funding had effectively come to a halt. The committee claimed that although research grants of up to Rs1 million had been announced, no faculty member had yet received financial assistance under the initiative. It further alleged that several researchers had been forced to abandon nationally and internationally funded projects because of inadequate institutional support, damaging both research output and the university’s reputation with funding agencies. According to the committee, hostel accommodation remains unavailable for many students, including research scholars, while an increasing number of inquiry committees against faculty members and officers has created an atmosphere of fear and professional uncertainty. It also expressed concern over delays in permanent appointments to several senior administrative positions, saying the lack of regular appointments had weakened institutional efficiency. The Joint Action Committee demanded an independent forensic audit of the university’s financial affairs, including the use of reserve funds, deficit budgets, the One-Account Policy, and the finances of self-supporting programmes. It also called for the immediate removal of the Director General (Students, Estate and Security) under the principle of “one person, one post,” an end to what it described as retaliatory inquiries, restoration of a secure and professional working environment, immediate advertisement and transparent appointment of a permanent Registrar, payment of outstanding financial dues and benefits to teachers and employees, and the restoration of regular meetings of all statutory bodies in accordance with the University Act. The committee warned that if its demands are not addressed within two weeks, it will launch a phased protest campaign, including demonstrations outside the university, a sit-in outside the Punjab Assembly, publication of a white paper containing documentary evidence, and a boycott of classes that could ultimately disrupt academic activities at the historic institution. The university administration had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time this report was filed.