OKARA: Six suspects shaved moustache and head of a man, blackened his face, snatched his mobile phone and cash and recorded the incident on phone over an old rivalry.

As per first information report (FIR), Shahzad Hussain, a cattle trader of Chak 52/3-R, was on his way to one Akram`s house when the suspects, namely Liaqat, Danish, Azhar, Baggi Rehmani, Zain and Awais, kidnapped him.

A night watchman attempted to save the complainant but in vain and the suspects took Shahzad to the house of Liaqat.

The suspects thrashed him and shaved off his head and moustache, blackened the face and snatched the mobile phone and Rs308,000 from him. Later, they called Shahzad`s father to take him away.

On the report of Shahzad, Cantt police registered a case and arrested Liaqat, Danish, Azhar and Awais.

UNIVERSITY: The University of Okara (UO), in its 26th Syndicate meeting chaired by the Minister for Higher Education Department (HED) Rana Sikandar Hayat, approved recommendations of the 11th Academic Council (AC) that created three new faculties and 16 programmes, ranging from Engineering to Artificial Intelligence.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sajjad Mubin apprised the meeting of the recent key interventions of the university besides the implementation of the previous decisions of the body. Jamil Asim, the additional registrar, presented the agenda.

The Syndicate approved the statutes for delegating emergency powers to the VC including one to grant post-doctorate leave for up to one year.

A search committee for fulfilling the statutory positions of the university was also constituted by the Syndicate. The house also approved the Affiliation Rules 2025, enabling the university to grant affiliation to the colleges and educational institutions of Lahore Division.

The recommendations of the 55th meeting of the UO`s Selection Board were approved as well. The Syndicate allowed the university to outsource cleaning, gardening, security and transportation services for improvement of the quality.

Rana Sikandar appreciated the VC for streamlining the university`s finances and curtailing the unnecessary expenses.