Lahore: An alleged illegal award of tenders worth billions of rupees surfaced in the local hospitals of the provincial capital, the sources privy to development said on Friday.

The sources said that an alleged illegal award of tenders worth Rs3.7 b took place at Services Hospital where the medical devices were made part of the tenders of surgical disposable items for the last seven years.

Saeed Anwar, a local citizen, moved an application of 26 pages to the Specialized Healthcare Department, and complained about the said tenders.

“Afzal Masih, an owner of a distributor company, secured the tenders through the connivance of some people,” said the complaint. Afzal Masih, according to the complaint, worked with a private company associated with Services Hospital. He was a wire repairer.

From 2016 to 2022, the complainant said, the fluid and blood warmer and convective warmer system were added to surgical disposable tenders.

Saeed Anwar said that Afzal Masih played his role in this regard as digital thoracic drain system worth Rs250 millions was also included in the 2017-18 tender.

He alleged that 50 crash cart trolleys were included in the 2018-19 tender, 50 nebulizer machines were added to the 2019-20 tender while the cost of a normal nebulizer machine was Rs100,000 instead of Rs3000 to Rs6000.

The complainant was of the view that Rs4, 500 were written in the tender of 2021-22, syringe pump and Lengroscope steel set were included in the surgical disposable.

The sources said that Afzal Masih had connections and he managed the audit in all the said contracts.

Saeed Anwar asked the relevant authorities to blacklist the company for its role in acquiring the illegal tenders and asked them to blacklist it.  He also appealed to take strict action against Afzal Maish for his involvement in this ‘fraud’.

Commenting on the said issue, Services Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Mudabbir said that he got all the tender record through his Whatsapp and read all the details.

“I joined recently but we will get it investigated,” said the MS.

He said that there would be complete transparency in the tenders for the upcoming year.

Mansehra: A highway policeman was martyred and another was wounded after a suspect opened fire over a dispute on a challan in Mansehra on Monday, police said.

According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police spokesperson, the incident happened at Mansehra’s Bedra Interchange where Motor Mobile Patrolling Officer Aamir was martyred and Constable Naveed was injured when a suspect opened fire after being served a traffic challan.

Mansehra District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Gandapur visited the site soon after the incident. He said that the police had traced the vehicle after gleaning information and had identified the culprits along with obtaining their phone numbers.

The police had erected blockades at all entry and exit points of the district to arrest the runaway suspects, the spokesman added.

Lahore: The Twilight Saga star, Kristen Stewart is set to become vampire again 12 years after her iconic role in Stephen Meyer’s blockbuster.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 34-year-old actor will star alongside Oscar Isaac in the upcoming thriller film, Flesh of the Gods.

The film is planned against the backdrop of 1980’s Los Angeles nightlife and follows the narrative of a married couple, Raoul (Isaac) and Alex (Stewart), who spend a night out of their luxurious condo in Los Angeles. However, a surreal encounter with a strange woman named Nameless will lead them into a world of hedonism, excitement and danger.

The working on the project is expected to start in the ongoing year.