Day: July 10, 2026

Lahore: The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore registered an FIR with the police after a manhole cover was stolen in the Mozang area, prompting immediate action to ensure public safety.

Managing Director WASA Lahore Ghufran Ahmed took serious notice of the incident and directed officials to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against those involved in the theft of manhole and drain covers.He said strict legal action would be taken against all offenders.

According to WASA spokesperson, CCTV footage captured the suspects stealing the drain cover, the video has been handed over to the police to assist in the investigation.

The MD said that WASA’s top priority is the protection of citizens’ lives and property. He instructed all field officers to immediately secure any open manholes or drains and ensure continuous monitoring of sensitive locations across the city.

He also ordered an immediate survey of all manholes and drain covers throughout Lahore,directing that any missing covers be replaced without delay.All WASA directors have been instructed to ensure legal proceedings against those involved in such thefts.

Lahore: Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday discussed measures to deal with monsoon-related challenges, possible floods and climate change impacts, with both sides agreeing to further strengthen coordination and early warning mechanisms.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary Punjab, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) and Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) were also present during the meeting.

During the meeting, the ‘Punjab Climate and Disaster Resilience Plan 2026’ was presented, while it was agreed to make the Early Warning System more effective for timely forecasting of extreme weather events. The meeting also decided to ensure coordination between federal and provincial institutions at least six hours before any severe weather event.

The participants agreed to install centralized information screens regarding climate and flood-related updates in all districts and tehsils of Punjab, conduct mock exercises before the monsoon season and further improve coordination between PDMA and NDMA.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed relevant departments to issue comprehensive advisories about rainfall patterns, heatwaves and other extreme weather conditions. She also ordered strengthening district-level logistics for flood response and ensuring controlled tourism in vulnerable areas.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief minister said timely medical facilities, food, shelter and other essential assistance were provided to flood-affected people during the previous floods, while no major epidemic was reported.

She said the capacity of PDMA, Rescue 1122, WASA and other relevant departments had been enhanced, while efforts were underway to increase water storage capacity.

Dr Musadik Malik appreciated the Punjab government’s initiatives regarding climate change, disaster management and flood preparedness, saying that on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal government was working with all provinces on climate resilience plans and would extend all possible support to Punjab.

The meeting also reviewed flood management operations of the previous year and agreed to further enhance cooperation between federal and provincial institutions to effectively respond to possible severe weather conditions in the future.

Lahore: The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore has fully activated its monsoon emergency response system to ensure timely relief for citizens during the rainy season.

WASA Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shehbaz Ahmad, accompanied by Deputy Managing Director (Operations) Abdul Latif, visited the monsoon control room and reviewed the online monitoring of 24 emergency relief camps, digital rain gauges and the rain dashboard.

The officials were briefed that all 24 relief camps across the city have been integrated with a modern monitoring system. They added that all underpasses in Lahore were being monitored round the clock through live cameras, while disposal stations, drains and other sensitive locations were under continuous live surveillance to ensure swift drainage of rainwater.

The vice chairman directed all officers and field staff to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season and perform their duties with complete dedication. He emphasized that immediate drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas during and after rainfall must be ensured.

He further instructed that all emergency relief camps,disposal stations and machinery should remain fully operational at all times,warning that no negligence or complacency would be tolerated, as providing timely and effective relief to citizens remains WASA’s top priority.

Lahore: Authorities have issued directions for immediate repair and reconstruction of 135 dangerous and dilapidated buildings of government schools in Lahore on Thursday.

According to a spokesperson for Education department authorities, the renovation plan for these schools had been delayed last year due to a change in policy, resulting in the pending completion of construction work.

Officials said several incidents involving roof collapses of dilapidated school buildings had occurred in the past, while the Strategic Management Unit had also conducted a fresh survey to identify dangerous structures.

The spokesperson said most of the repair work of dilapidated school buildings was expected to be completed during the summer vacations, while rehabilitation of unsafe buildings and construction of additional classrooms were also underway.

In view of the upcoming monsoon season, construction activities at schools have been expedited to ensure the safety of students and provide them with a secure learning environment.

Lahore: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Diamer Basha dam project, WAPDA and district administration, Diamer for implementation of livelihood schemes worth Rs. 972.571 million in the project area under Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) by WAPDA.

General Manager/PD Diamer Basha Dam Project Dr. Engr. Nazakat Hussain and Deputy Commissioner Diamer Lt (Retd) Muhammad Owais Abbasi signed the MoU in the presence of Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan Arshad Majeed, according to WAPDA spokesman here Thursday.

As per the terms of the MoU, the livelihood schemes will be implemented through the line departments concerned under the supervision of the District Administration, in consultation with the local community. A Joint Committee, comprising representatives of the District Administration, WAPDA, and the local community, will oversee the quality of work and implementation of the schemes.

It is pertinent to mention that Rs. 78.5 billion have been earmarked for socio-economic uplift of the people in the Project area under Diamer Basha Dam Project. A number of mega development schemes have already been completed including Thore Hydel Power Station, Thak Hydel Power Station and Cadet College Chilas etc.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat on Thursday directed the newly appointed chairmen of education boards across the province to ensure transparency in examinations, introduce digital reforms and enforce a zero-tolerance policy against cheating and corruption.

He issued the directions while chairing an introductory meeting with the newly appointed board chairmen, during which matters relating to examination reforms, transparency and the use of modern technology in the education system came under discussion.

The minister briefed the participants on the educational vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the provincial government’s ongoing reform agenda.

Rana Sikandar Hayat said the government was taking practical steps to bring the examination system in line with international standards, adding that strict action against the cheating mafia, paper leaks and examination irregularities would continue.

He said eliminating corruption and the influence of mafias in education boards was a shared responsibility of all relevant institutions.

The minister directed the chairmen to introduce digital reforms in the examination process and result compilation and launch online screen marking on a pilot basis for supplementary examinations. He said integrating modern technology into the education boards was among the government’s top priorities.

He urged the newly appointed chairmen to strengthen the ongoing reforms and perform their duties with honesty and professionalism, saying they were responsible for safeguarding the future of millions of students.

Rana Sikandar Hayat also directed the chairmen to regularly visit marking centers, ensure accountability of examiners involved in incorrect marking and protect students from any injustice. He further instructed them to ensure the provision of all basic facilities at examination centers.

The minister said education boards should also organize regular STEM, debate, and sports competitions to promote the overall development of students.

It is pertinent to mention that Punjab’s education boards had remained without permanent chairmen for the past three to four years, with the respective divisional commissioners serving as acting chairmen.

The newly appointed chairmen include Prof Tahir Mahmood for the Rawalpindi Board, Dr Aqsa Shabbir for the Faisalabad Board, Dr Badrul Islam for the Lahore Board, Dr Rana Binyamin for the Multan Board, Iqbal Mahmood for the Sargodha Board, Ishtiaq Ahmed for the Gujranwala Board, Dr Ahmed Muneeb for the Sahiwal Board, Dr Naseem for the Bahawalpur Board and Abbas Haider for the Dera Ghazi Khan Board.