Day: July 12, 2026

Lahore: A delegation from the United States Consulate General visited the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters to review the provincial government’s environmental protection measures, air quality monitoring system and climate resilience initiatives, here on Saturday.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb received the delegation in the presence of provincial ministers and senior officials.

During the visit, the delegation toured the EPA Control Room, where officials demonstrated the province’s environmental monitoring system and Air Quality Management System (AQMS). The delegation also reviewed Lahore’s live Air Quality Index (AQI) through the digital monitoring platform.

Giving a comprehensive briefing, Marriyum Aurangzeb said Lahore had been ranked as the world’s most polluted city in November 2024, but the situation had improved considerably due to the Punjab government’s comprehensive anti-smog strategy and institutional reforms. She said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had empowered the EPA by providing greater administrative authority, enhanced financial resources and modern technological tools to improve environmental governance.

The senior minister said preventing the burning of crop residues remained a key component of Punjab’s anti-smog policy, adding that the use of super seeders had become essential for sustainable agricultural practices. She said only 250 super seeders were available across Punjab when the present government assumed office, whereas around 7,500 machines are currently being used by farmers. She added that the chief minister had set a target of increasing the number to more than 15,000 by next year, with the government bearing 60 percent of the cost under the ‘Maryam Nawaz Smog-Free Punjab’ programme.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Punjab government had allocated unprecedented funding for climate change, environmental protection, forestry and wildlife during the past two years, enabling the departments to adopt advanced technologies comparable with international standards.

She informed the delegation that Punjab is establishing Pakistan’s first and the region’s first Climate Change Observatory, which will serve as a central data hub for monitoring climate trends, environmental changes and weather patterns while supporting evidence-based policymaking for a climate-resilient Punjab.

During the briefing, officials informed the delegation that industrial units across Punjab are under round-the-clock environmental surveillance, while all EPA field officers have been equipped with body-worn cameras to improve transparency and accountability during inspections. They said all brick kilns in Punjab had been converted to zigzag technology to reduce emissions.

The delegation was further informed that all motorways, shopping malls and model bazaars in Lahore had been declared plastic-free zones, while the initiative would gradually be extended to commercial markets throughout the province.

Officials said strict enforcement was underway to control dust emissions from construction sites, while an automated robocall system immediately alerts enforcement officers to environmental violations. Pollution-generating activities are also being monitored through the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.

The delegation was briefed that the provincial government has introduced an online hearing and licensing system to ensure transparency, while the live location of EPA vehicles and field officers is continuously monitored. Wind direction, heatwave conditions and other meteorological indicators are also being tracked to strengthen environmental planning and pollution management.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said vehicle emissions are being monitored through a dedicated emission testing system, while the Punjab AQI mobile application provides citizens with real-time air quality information to promote public awareness and timely precautionary measures. She said the provincial government would continue investing in technology-based environmental governance to ensure cleaner air and a healthier environment across Punjab.

Lahore: Police on Saturday arrested a man after a video allegedly showing him torturing his wife in public went viral on social media.

According to police,Kahna police traced and arrested the suspect from Jhidu village after taking notice of the video.

Police said the footage showed the suspect allegedly subjecting his wife to violence in public.

During the initial investigation,police stated that the incident appeared to have occurred due to a domestic dispute.

DIG Operations said that individuals involved in violence and harassment of women would not be spared and that strict action would be taken against those found involved in such acts in accordance with the law.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique on Saturday reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to continuing the journey of development and public prosperity, stating that no compromise would be made on the quality of development projects and that their implementation was being closely monitored.

Chairing a meeting at the office of WASA Managing Director, the minister reviewed the progress of various ongoing development schemes in PP-153. Key projects discussed included the Harbanspura to Phatak Saddar Cantt trunk sewerage project worth Rs4.5 billion, installation of tube wells in Amna Park of UC-148, and multiple schemes for street rehabilitation, sewerage improvement, and provision of clean drinking water.

The meeting was attended by WASA MD Ghufran Ahmed, Syed Ikhlas Shah, Abdul Wahab and other officials. During the session, the minister appreciated the performance of the concerned officers for ensuring steady progress on development works.

Officials informed the meeting that hundreds of streets in PP-153 had already been repaired, while work on several other development schemes was progressing rapidly. Upon completion, these projects are expected to provide improved civic facilities to millions of residents.

Salman Rafique said addressing public issues remained the government’s foremost priority and emphasized that transparent monitoring of development projects would continue to ensure quality and timely completion.

He directed the authorities to complete all ongoing projects within the stipulated timeframe, adding that, in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government was committed to providing modern infrastructure and essential public services to the people.

Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO),Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi on Saturday assured Mini Mazda transporters that their genuine concerns would be addressed through consultation while stressing that no compromise would be made on traffic laws,road safety and regulatory compliance.

The assurance was given during a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Mini Mazda Association,led by its representative Tanveer Jatt at the CTO office.

According to a statement,the meeting discussed issues faced by transporters,including traffic enforcement,route restrictions and other regulatory matters.

Both sides agreed to work together to find practical solutions.

Addressing complaints regarding alleged unjustified traffic challans,the CTO said the traffic police had introduced a transparent enforcement system under which evidence supporting each violation was being provided to violators along with the ticket.

He said strict action would continue against Mini Mazda vehicles operating without valid route permits,fitness certificates or driving licenses,adding that compliance with traffic regulations was necessary to ensure public safety.

The CTO said around 22,000 Mini Mazda vehicles were registered in Lahore and claimed that negligence by Mini Mazda drivers contributed to 11 per cent of fatal road accidents in the city.

He directed transporters to ensure that vehicles followed designated routes,prescribed load limits and notified operating hours,warning that violations would not be tolerated.

Shirazi said transporters were an important part of the economy and their issues could be resolved through continued dialogue and coordination with traffic authorities.

Tanveer Jatt assured the CTO that the association would discourage illegal practices among its members and cooperate with traffic police in promoting road safety.

The CTO also constituted joint committees comprising transporters and Traffic DSPs to present recommendations for resolving traffic-related issues.

Special refresher courses for Mini Mazda drivers were also announced to improve awareness about traffic rules and safe driving practices.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that development, prosperity, and beautification are progressing simultaneously across the province under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, with the pace of development projects significantly faster than in previous years.

In a statement issued on Saturday, she said development schemes were being implemented at an accelerated pace in 52 cities under the Punjab Development Plan. She added that special priority was being given to completing water supply and sewerage projects before the onset of the monsoon season to prevent inconvenience to citizens during heavy rainfall.

Azma Bokhari said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed that no excavated roads or open trenches should remain before the monsoon begins and that all ongoing development projects must be completed within the stipulated timeframe. She added that strict safety measures were being enforced during project execution to ensure public safety.

The minister said that under the Punjab Beautification Plan, cities across the province were being transformed into modern and aesthetically appealing urban centres. She added that public markets were also being upgraded without discrimination to improve civic facilities and meet modern standards.

She said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was personally monitoring the Punjab Development Plan and beautification projects to ensure timely completion and adherence to the highest quality standards.

Azma Bokhari highlighted that beautification projects, including the development of parks, modern markets, and attractive city entry points, had been completed in Mandi Bahauddin, Sambrial, Chiniot, Rahim Yar Khan, Okara, Sargodha, Attock, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Shakargarh, and Khushab.

She reiterated that the chief minister’s vision was to provide every city in Punjab with modern civic amenities, quality infrastructure, and an attractive urban environment comparable to Lahore, ensuring that the benefits of development reached people across the province equally.

Lahore: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Wing on Saturday intercepted a Pakistani national deported from Libya for allegedly attempting to travel to Italy through an illegal human smuggling network,officials said.

According to an FIA spokesperson,Salman Akhtar was taken into custody upon his arrival at Lahore airport after being deported by Libyan authorities.

He was subsequently handed over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle,Lahore for further legal proceedings.

The spokesperson said initial investigation revealed that Salman had travelled to Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa along with his mother and grandfather. After performing Umrah,he allegedly separated from his family and traveled to Egypt and later Libya through an agent in an attempt to enter Europe illegally.

The FIA claimed that Salman had paid Rs.4.3 million to an agent identified as Riyasat,r/o Sheikhupura,who allegedly promised to facilitate his entry into Italy.

According to the agency,the suspect was intercepted by Libyan police before he could travel to Italy by boat and was later deported to Pakistan.

The FIA said further investigation was underway to trace the alleged human smuggling network and proceed against those involved.