Punjab has achieved a significant feat in advanced public healthcare with three successful liver transplant surgeries performed within a single week at the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS), Mohali. The achievement marks a major step forward in the State’s efforts to build advanced transplant capabilities within its government healthcare institutions.

Addressing the media at PILBS, Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research and Higher Education Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said, “The successful completion of three liver transplants in one week was a matter of immense pride for Punjab and reflected the commitment of the CM Bhagwant Mann Government to making high-end super-speciality healthcare accessible to the people through government institutions.”

The Health and Family Welfare Minister, “The successful completion of three liver transplants in a single week at PILBS is a matter of immense pride for Punjab. It reflects the commitment of the Bhagwant Mann Government to ensuring that people can access advanced and super-speciality healthcare through government institutions.”

The three recent transplant cases also carried deeply emotional stories of family bonding and sacrifice. A wife donated a part of her liver to her husband, a mother donated to her daughter, while a son donated to his father. “These cases are not only stories of medical success but also of love, sacrifice and family bonding. A wife donated to her husband, a mother to her daughter and a son to his father. Such acts of selflessness give new hope and a new lease of life to patients suffering from serious liver ailments,” said the Minister.

With these three latest procedures, PILBS Mohali has now successfully performed a total of five liver transplants, marking a significant achievement for Punjab’s public healthcare system.

PILBS To Act As Hub For Liver Transplant Services

The Health Minister announced that the State Government was working on a comprehensive model to expand liver transplant services across Punjab. “We are working on a hub-and-spoke model for liver transplant services across Punjab. PILBS Mohali will function as the principal hub, while the Government Medical Colleges will serve as spokes for patient identification, evaluation, referral and post-transplant care closer to their respective regions,” he added.

He said the State Government was also strengthening organ transplant and related infrastructure across its government medical institutions, with all four Government Medical Colleges being developed to support the organ transplantation ecosystem. “We are strengthening the organ transplant ecosystem across our government medical institutions. All four Government Medical Colleges are being developed to support these services so that patients can receive timely and specialised care closer to home,” said the Health Minister.

Renal Transplant Services To Begin Soon

Minister Dr. Balbir Singh further announced that renal transplant services would be launched at Mohali and Patiala in the coming days, expanding the availability of advanced transplant care within Punjab’s government healthcare system. “Renal transplant services will also begin soon at Mohali and Patiala. This will further expand the availability of advanced transplant care within Punjab’s government healthcare system,” he added.

The Minister applauded the dedicated team led by PILBS Director Dr. Virendra Singh for its professional commitment and concerted efforts in successfully undertaking these specialised surgeries at PILBS, Mohali. “I congratulate Director PILBS Dr. Virendra Singh and the entire team for their dedication, professionalism and coordinated efforts. These achievements show that Punjab’s government hospitals and institutes are steadily developing the expertise and infrastructure needed to undertake complex medical procedures of the highest order,” he added.

Growing Patient Services At PILBS

Giving details of the institute’s expanding services, Dr. Balbir Singh said 239 FibroScans were conducted at nominal charges during August, besides treatment and care being provided to 139 indoor patients. He said, “The addition of 170 beds will further strengthen PILBS and enable it to provide specialised liver and biliary care to a larger number of patients. We will continue to strengthen infrastructure, manpower, equipment and specialised services at our government hospitals and institutes so that quality healthcare reaches every section of society.”

Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the State Government would continue to strengthen the public healthcare system and build specialised medical capabilities within government institutions, with a focus on ensuring that patients in Punjab have access to advanced treatment without having to depend on facilities outside the State.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Ajnala, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, on Thursday met Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and submitted a memorandum seeking a permanent solution to the problem of severe floods that occur during the monsoon in Punjab’s border districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Amritsar, particularly in the Ajnala sub-division. During the meeting, MLA Dhaliwal strongly demanded the construction of a dam on the Ujh River, which would help regulate the flow of the river and save Punjab from the devastation caused by recurring floods.

Addressing the media after his meeting with the Lieutenant Governor, MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that due to Ajnala and the surrounding areas being situated downstream of the Ujh River, the region faces severe devastation during the monsoon due to sudden rises in water levels and heavy rainfall.

Referring to the unfortunate floods that occurred after 1988, in 2023, 2025 and this year in 2026, he said that floodwaters submerge agricultural land, destroy crops and cause severe damage to roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure. In addition, connectivity routes for BSF and Army personnel deployed along the border are disrupted, which is also a matter of concern from the perspective of national security.

He also emphasised that the state government spends substantial funds every year on emergency flood relief, strengthening the river embankments and improving the drainage system, but these measures are only temporary. A permanent solution to this serious problem is possible only by constructing a dam on the Ujh River and ensuring proper management of the water.

MLA Dhaliwal appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to raise this extremely important issue with the Prime Minister and the Union Jal Shakti Minister. He demanded that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and feasibility study be prepared for the construction of a dam at a technically suitable location. He said that the project would not only help control floods and store excess monsoon water, but would also boost hydroelectric power generation, tourism and the local economy.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s student wing, ASAP (Association of Students for Alternative Politics), on Thursday announced Adil Brar as its candidate for the post of President in the upcoming Panjab University student elections. AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and MLA Amritpal Singh Sukhanand announced his candidature, highlighting his long-standing involvement in student rights and activism.

On this occasion, AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said, “AAP has always encouraged student activism and participation in public life. Over the past 10–12 years, politics in the country has often focused on dividing people on the basis of religion and caste. But today, the younger generation is increasingly raising its voice on issues concerning education and the future of the country.”

Congratulating the country’s Gen Z youth, the AAP MP said, “The recent large-scale youth mobilisation is a significant development because young people from different communities are coming together and raising their voice on issues related to education and their future. I congratulate the country’s Gen Z youth for making their voice heard.”

Announcing Adil Brar as ASAP’s presidential candidate, Meet Hayer said, “Adil Brar had remained consistently active in raising student issues, including during the Senate protest. He has been actively involved in the Senate protest and has earned the distinction of becoming the youngest Departmental Representative (DR) of the Law Department. I am confident that he will strongly represent the voice of Panjab University students.”

Meanwhile, MLA Amritpal Singh Sukhanand said, “Education has emerged as one of the biggest political issues in the country, and ASAP candidates have consistently participated in student protests and raised issues concerning students. Adil Brar is the most capable candidate for the post of President. He has previously served as a DR after securing the highest number of votes, which reflects the confidence students have placed in him.”

MLA Amritpal Singh Sukhanand said students at Panjab University directly faced several internal issues that needed urgent attention. “The tragic death of a student named Jyoti also highlights the need for greater accountability and sensitivity within the university system. Cleanliness and several other ground-level concerns remain important issues for students, and ASAP’s candidates are well aware of these problems.”.

Presidential Candidate Adil Brar stated, “I thank the party leadership and ASAP for reposing their trust in me and giving me the responsibility of contesting the presidential election. Education and sports will be the two key pillars of my campaign. I will work to ensure that the genuine concerns of students are raised and addressed.”

ASAP leaders said the organisation would continue to strengthen student activism and work towards making Panjab University a better academic and sporting environment for students.

Cracking down heavily on drug trafficking, Fazilka District Police has arrested 1,331 accused persons in 924 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during the last eight months of the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign.

The sustained crackdown led to the recovery of 41.124 kg of heroin, 3.85 gm of crystal methamphetamine, 6.503 kg of opium, 42 gm of charas, 250.537 kg of poppy husk and 15,843 intoxicating capsules/tablets. A total of 38 vehicles used in drug trafficking have also been impounded.

On this, DGP Punjab Police Gaurav Yadav stated, “In the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, Fazilka Police has recorded significant success against drug trafficking and abuse. Alongside enforcement, due emphasis has also been laid on rehabilitation. A total of 252 persons have been admitted to De-Addiction Centres, while 1,809 have been referred to Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) Centres. As many as 141 persons have also been covered under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act.”

The district police has also made significant progress under Gangstran Te Vaar, with several associates of gangsters linked to different gangs identified and arrested. “The identified and arrested accused persons are being kept under continuous surveillance to curb organised crime. So far, 10 cases have been registered under the Arms Act and 15 accused have been arrested. The recoveries include 25 pistols, one country-made pistol, 32 magazines, 52 live cartridges and three drones,” said SSP Fazilka Gagan Ajit Singh.

As part of its community outreach efforts, Fazilka Police has conducted 99 Project Sampark meetings and 334 anti-drug awareness camps and seminars. These initiatives aim to encourage public participation, spread awareness about drug abuse and strengthen police-community relations. Awareness sessions have also been held to sensitise the public about the 1930 helpline and the cybercrime.gov.in portal for timely reporting of cybercrimes.

The district police has adopted a proactive, intelligence-led policing model for round-the-clock public safety. Twenty-one Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) linked to the 112 helpline, manned by 102 police personnel, along with five PCR motorcycles with 10 personnel, have been deployed in day and night shifts. Seven permanent night checkpoints have also been established at strategic entry and exit points of the district, where 39 police personnel are deployed. The checkpoints are barricaded and regularly inspected by senior officers.

Robust traffic enforcement has resulted in 23,804 challans being issued, 921 vehicles being impounded and 173 cash challans issued, with fines amounting to ₹1,70,600. Preventive policing measures have also resulted in 976 persons being detained and 545 persons being bound down, further strengthening law and order across the district.

The police is also making extensive use of technology to strengthen investigations and enforcement. The Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS) is being used for identity verification, while the VAHAN database facilitates instant vehicle verification during nakas and search operations. A Digital Forensic Laboratory has also been established for the forensic examination of seized mobile phones, electronic devices and other digital evidence.

“CCTV surveillance and technology-driven intelligence have further enhanced crime detection, investigation and operational efficiency. NATGRID and open-source applications such as Anveshak are being used to trace and locate criminals. Absconding murder convict Sandeep Tomar was successfully traced and arrested from Madhya Pradesh with the help of NATGRID. The system has also assisted police operations against cross-border drug-smuggling networks in 2026,” added the SSP.

In the crackdown on cross-border smuggling, 16 cases have been registered and 11 accused persons arrested. The arrests led to the recovery of 26.822 kg of heroin, one pistol, five magazines, 13 live cartridges and one drone.