The Punjab government has decided to confer the province’s highest civil award on deceased Pattoki Assistant Commissioner Furqan Ahmed Khan, who passed away while serving people in testing circumstances.His family will also receive a grant of Rs10 million in recognition of his services.According to officials, Furqan Ahmed continued to perform relief duties in the field for four consecutive days despite suffering from cancer.

He worked tirelessly to ensure that flood-affected families in Pattoki received food, medicines, and other essential supplies.Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid rich tribute to the late officer, calling him “a true hero who sacrificed his life in the line of duty.” She said Furqan Ahmed’s dedication in the face of personal suffering would always be remembered as an example of selfless public service. 

“Those who sacrifice their lives while serving in difficult circumstances are real heroes,” she remarked, adding that the officer’s duty and courage had set a benchmark for others in public service.  Furqan Ahmed’s story, they said, highlights the resilience and dedication of Pakistan’s civil service in times of crisis. A day earlier, the Pattoki assistant commissioner had passed away at Head Balloki amid ongoing flood relief efforts.  

According to officials, the Ravi River caused widespread devastation in the area in recent days, and the AC had been continuously engaged in duty, working day and night in flood-hit regions for the past four days without rest.  Furqan collapsed at the Head Balloki rest house after suffering a brain haemorrhage. He was rushed to the Phoolnagar Trauma Center, but doctors confirmed he had already passed away. News of his death cast a pall of grief over the area, with locals mourning the loss of the officer who had been on the frontlines of the relief operations.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)