Day: July 9, 2026

Lahore: A World Bank (WB) delegation led by Clelia Rontoyanni called on Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra here at PRA Headquarters on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the delegation was briefed on the Punjab Revenue Authority’s reform agenda, ongoing modernization initiatives and key institutional programmes. Both sides exchanged views on measures aimed at making Punjab’s tax system more modern, transparent, efficient and digitally driven.

The World Bank delegation appreciated the initiatives undertaken by PRA Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra, particularly the Authority’s achievement of record tax revenue collection. Both sides also agreed to further strengthen the ongoing technical cooperation between the World Bank and the Punjab Revenue Authority.

Speaking on the occasion, the PRA Chairman said that establishing a citizen-centric, efficient and transparent tax system through the use of modern technology remains a top priority of the Punjab government. He added that initiatives to pr
ovide taxpayers with improved, simplified and online services would significantly contribute to further growth in revenue collection.

He said, special measures have been undertaken to broaden the tax base and promote a stronger tax culture across Punjab. He also emphasized that alongside public awareness and outreach campaigns, the taxpayer complaint registration and redressal mechanism would be made more accessible and user-friendly.

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has acquitted Shah Muhammad, who had been serving a life sentence in a murder case, after allowing his appeal and setting aside the trial court’s judgment.

In a detailed 12-page verdict released on Wednesday, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt. The court also dismissed the complainant’s revision petition seeking enhancement of the sentence.

The judgment noted that the prosecution’s case was marred by serious contradictions in the FIR, witness statements and the overall prosecution narrative, rendering the case doubtful.

The court held that the identification parade was neither reliable nor conducted in accordance with legal requirements. It observed that the witnesses had neither identified the accused nor provided any description of the suspects in the FIR, making the subsequent identification unsafe to rely upon.

The verdict further stated that the extraordinary delay in the proceedings, deficiencies in the evidence and flaws in the investigation had created serious doubts about the prosecution’s case. The court also declared the forensic evidence and the alleged recovery of the murder weapon from the accused unreliable, refusing to treat them as a basis for conviction.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum observed that the benefit of the doubt is a legal right of an accused, not a concession. She reiterated that a criminal conviction can only be sustained when the prosecution proves its case beyond reasonable doubt, a standard that was not met in the present case.

The court directed the immediate release of Shah Muhammad, ordering prison authorities to set him free without delay if he is not required in any other case.

Lahore: Professor at the Institute of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Dr Mahmood Saleem, on Wednesday assumed charge as the Pro Vice Chancellor of University of the Punjab, bringing with him more than three decades of experience in higher education, research and academic administration.

Prof Dr Mahmood Saleem is a distinguished chemical engineer, researcher and educationist with over 33 years of experience in teaching, research and university leadership.

According to PU’s spokesperson, before assuming his new responsibilities at Punjab University, he served as Vice Chancellor of Mir Chakar Khan Rind University of Technology. He also previously held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Punjab University.

He obtained his doctorate in Chemical and Process Engineering from Graz University of Technology. His research focuses on gas cleaning technologies, process development, filtration and separation systems, sustainable energy, biomass pyrolysis and fluidized bed combustion.

During his academic career, Prof Dr Mahmood Saleem has supervised numerous PhD scholars, led several national and international research projects, and authored a significant number of research papers published in reputed journals, besides writing books in his field of specialization.

Apart from his academic achievements, he has held important leadership positions in the Pakistan Institute of Chemical Engineers and has also served as a member of the Pakistan Engineering Council, contributing to the advancement of engineering education and professional standards in Pakistan.

Lahore: Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) spokesperson Dr Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, saying the nation wants an end to terrorism and expects a decisive response against those responsible.

In a statement, Dr. Hashmi expressed deep sorrow over the attacks in which security personnel and civilians lost their lives. He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, saying their courage and commitment reflected the nation’s determination to defeat terrorism.

He said Pakistan had paid a heavy price in the fight against terrorism and stressed that the time had come for effective and practical action against those who plan, support or facilitate terrorist activities. Referring to the recent security briefing by the military leadership, he said the country’s resolve against terrorism remained firm and should now be backed by decisive measures to dismantle terrorist networks.

Dr. Hashmi said terrorist groups and their facilitators must not be allowed to threaten Pakistan’s peace and stability. He urged the government and relevant institutions to adopt a comprehensive strategy aimed at eliminating the masterminds behind terrorist activities while further strengthening national security.

The PMML spokesperson said the people of Pakistan wanted to see the country free from terrorism and violence, adding that every possible step should be taken to protect the lives of citizens and ensure lasting peace across the country.

Reaffirming his party’s support for the armed forces, Dr. Hashmi said PMML stood shoulder to shoulder with the country’s security forces in the national campaign against terrorism. He also paid tribute to the soldiers who embraced martyrdom while defending the country in Balochistan, saying their sacrifices would always be remembered with respect and gratitude.

Lahore: A woman was killed and three others were injured in a clash between two groups on Kala Khatai Road near Haji Kot, Lahore on Wednesday.

A Rescue 1122 spokesperson said the emergency service received a call reporting a fight between two groups and immediately dispatched rescue teams to the scene.

According to the caller, the clash left three people injured, while a 60-year-old woman, identified as Kulsoom, died during the incident.

Rescue personnel provided first aid to the injured and shifted them to the THQ Hospital Ferozewala for further treatment, while the body of the deceased was handed over to the police for legal formalities, the spokesperson added.

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday sentenced Mudassar Khan to two years imprisonment after convicting him in a case involving the recovery of explosive material.

The court ordered that the convict be sent to jail to serve his sentence.

ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill announced the verdict after concluding the trial. The accused was produced before the court from jail for the judgment.

According to the prosecution, Mudassar Khan is affiliated with a banned organisation and was arrested after allegedly being found in possession of explosive material. Prosecutors further contended that the accused was involved in terrorist activities.

The case was registered by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Lahore, in 2025.