Day: July 12, 2026

Lahore: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Abdul Kareem has approved the release of more than Rs2 million in financial assistance for the medical treatment of police employees and their family members.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, the funds were released after scrutiny by the Medical Financial Assistance Committee. Sub-Inspector Tahir Abbas was granted Rs300,000, Sub-Inspector Kazim Hussain Rs250,000, while Constable Muhammad Rashid Khan received Rs240,000 for medical treatment.

The spokesperson said Assistant Sub-Inspector Umar Farooq, Assistant Sub-Inspector Nadeem Abbas and Junior Patrolling Officer Zulfiqar Ali were each provided Rs100,000 for medical expenses.

Lady ASI Safia, Lady Head Constable Shahida Balqees and Lady Constable Amina Shahzadi also received Rs100,000 each. Similarly, Assistant Shahzad Hassan, Head Constable Muhammad Ammar and Driver Constable Javed Iqbal were granted Rs100,000 each for medical treatment.

He added that Inspector Muhammad Nawaz, ASI Muhammad Yaseen, Constable Muhammad Abdullah and Lady Constable Irshad Begum were collectively provided Rs319,000 for their medical treatment.

IGP Abdul Kareem said the welfare of police personnel and their families, who remain dedicated to protecting the lives and property of citizens, was among the top priorities of Punjab Police. He added that, under memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed with various institutions, Punjab Police was ensuring the provision of the best possible medical facilities to its employees and their families.

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore Muhammad Ali Ejaz on Saturday inspected development works being carried out under the Lahore Development Program (LDP) in Tehsil Saddar and directed officials to ensure quality, transparency and safety in all projects.

During his visit to Union Council 194 in Wagah Zone,the DC reviewed the construction and rehabilitation of damaged and unpaved streets being carried out under the Punjab government’s initiative to improve urban infrastructure.

Assistant Commissioner(AC) Saddar Dr Abid Mumtaz Khan Sial and other officials accompanied the DC during the field visit.

Officials briefed the DC that work on 38 of the 57 streets had been completed, while construction on the remaining 19 streets was progressing.

The DC directed officials to strictly follow safety protocols and quality control measures during construction, warning that no compromise would be tolerated on the quality of materials used in development schemes.

He also instructed authorities to ensure long-term planning in LDP projects,improve drainage systems along with street construction and obtain third-party quality audit reports after completion of each scheme.

The DC further ordered the installation of safety barriers and warning signs at construction sites and directed officials to take steps to control dust and minimize environmental impact during construction activities.

Muhammad Ali Ejaz said the LDP would help improve civic infrastructure and provide better facilities to citizens, adding that transparency and quality execution were key to the success of development projects.

Lahore: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar said on Saturday that significant progress is being made on the government’s Energy City project and that several oil-producing countries have shown interest in storing oil in Pakistan following recent regional tensions.

Talking to business community during his visit to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), he said that under the project, private companies would lease land from the government to establish modern oil storage facilities where oil could be stored and re-exported on a duty-free basis. He said Pakistan did not have sufficient capital to establish large-scale strategic reserves on its own, but the proposed model would not only attract investment but also allow the stored reserves to be utilized to meet domestic requirements during difficult times.

LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol welcomed the minister. The event was attended by Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, former presidents Mian Anjum Nisar and Muhammad Ali Mian, former Senior Vice Presidents Zafar Mehmood Ch and Engr Khalid Usman, Nasrullah Mughal, Executive Committee members Umar Sarfraz, Syed Hassan Raza, Mohsin Bashir, Rana Shouban Akhtar, Nadeem Ansari, Ahad Amin Malik, Asif Khan, Irfan Qureshi and Hafiz Sajjad, along with a large number of members of the business community.

Addressing the gathering, Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that despite having a coastline of nearly 1,000 kilometres and a strategically important geographical location, Pakistan had not yet fully benefited from the vast potential of the blue economy. He said that by effectively utilizing opportunities in the maritime sector, Pakistan could earn billions of dollars in additional foreign exchange and further strengthen its importance in regional trade.

He emphasized the need to accelerate digitalization at ports, saying that unnecessary delays in cargo clearance increased business costs and undermined global competitiveness. He described modern IT systems, automated clearance mechanisms, efficient scanners, vessel traffic management systems and complete digital integration among institutions as essential requirements of the time.

Federal Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar said that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had implemented more than 100 reform measures and that both Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim had achieved significant improvements in global rankings. He said KPT had moved from 99th to 69th position, while Port Qasim had improved to 56th position. He added that Karachi Port Trust had broken a record in its 138-year history during the current year, with profits reaching Rs 18.8 billion.

He said three new vessels had been added to the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) fleet, increasing its overall capacity by 40 percent, with further expansion planned in the future. He added that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had played a key role in ensuring there was no shortage of petroleum products in the country during the recent crisis. A vessel that was initially available at a charter cost of USD 14 million was secured for USD 0.8 million to ensure uninterrupted fuel imports.

The minister said that during wartime conditions and logistical disruptions, port charges on transshipment cargo had been reduced by up to 50 percent, providing relief to the business community. He added that after the launch of transshipment operations, Pakistani ports handled within 24 days a volume of cargo equivalent to what had previously been managed over an entire year, demonstrating the capacity and efficiency of the country’s ports.

Muhammad Junaid Anwar said that in addition to a floating LNG terminal, the technical study for a land-based LNG terminal had been completed and that the project was expected to attract investment of USD 3 billion to USD 4 billion. He said a USD 1.4 billion ‘Sea 2 Steel’ shipbuilding project was being launched at Port Qasim, while a multipurpose cargo terminal, an integrated oil terminal storage facility and new container terminals would also be established.

He further said that Manora Shipyard was being revived so that ships would no longer have to be sent to Singapore or China for repairs and servicing. Referring to the fisheries sector, he said fisheries exports had exceeded the target of USD 500 million and reached USD 568 million. He added that tuna fish alone offered export potential worth billions of dollars for Pakistan and was receiving special attention.

LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Sehgal said Pakistan pays approximately USD 05 billion annually in maritime freight to foreign operators. He said that by strengthening the national shipping line, expanding its fleet and adding more container vessels, a significant portion of this valuable foreign exchange could be retained within the country.

He said vast opportunities existed in shipbuilding, ship recycling and fisheries, which could not only increase exports but also create thousands of new jobs. Stressing the need for the completion of Korangi Fish Harbour, port reforms, dredging, a national ports development plan and business-friendly legislation, he said the Lahore Chamber would continue to extend full cooperation to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to help Pakistan emerge as a strong regional maritime hub.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management, Khawaja Salman Rafique, on Saturday directed authorities to launch an operation against encroachments in riverbeds and river valleys as the provincial government stepped up preparations to tackle the ongoing monsoon season and potential flooding.

Chairing a meeting at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Headquarters, the minister reviewed flood preparedness measures, heatwave response, and disaster management plans across the province.

He said the Punjab government, under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, was taking comprehensive steps to make the province more resilient to floods. He added that Rescue 1122 had been equipped with modern equipment worth billions of rupees to enhance emergency response capabilities.

Salman Rafique said PDMA Punjab was utilizing all available resources to address the challenges posed by heatwaves and drought. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve water supply infrastructure in the remote areas of Cholistan.

PDMA Director General Umar Javed informed the meeting that all necessary arrangements had been completed to cope with heatwave conditions and possible flood emergencies on the directives of the chief minister. He said pre-disaster and post-disaster response mechanisms had been strengthened to minimize the impact of floods and other water-related hazards.

The meeting reviewed 11 flood protection schemes aimed at preventing river erosion and safeguarding local communities and agricultural land in vulnerable districts. The projects include emergency protective works along the Jhelum, Ravi, Indus, Bhindranala and Ben Nallah rivers, with individual schemes ranging from Rs 62 million to Rs 155.5 million.

Participants also reviewed the updated notification of floodplain boundaries based on Flood 2025, while the Flood Hazard Atlas for vulnerable districts prepared by the Urban Unit was examined. The Commissioner Multan briefed the meeting on relief operations, identified weaknesses, and presented a future action plan based on the experience of the 2025 floods in Multan Division.

The meeting was attended by Senior Member Board of Revenue Nabil Javed and other senior officials. Commissioners of Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Gujrat and Gujranwala, along with deputy commissioners of Multan, Sialkot, Gujrat, Layyah and Narowal, participated through video link.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday hailed the remarkable success of the province’s plantation drive, saying Punjab’s Green Revolution had reached an unprecedented scale through the collective efforts of the government and the people.

The CM urged every citizen to plant at least one tree to help build a greener and healthier future.

In a post on X, the chief minister said the Punjab Plantation Drive 2025-26 had achieved major milestones, with 40 million saplings planted, 41,342 acres brought under plantation and 3,085 avenue miles lined with trees across the province. She said barren lands stretching from Dera Ghazi Khan to Bahawalpur were being transformed into thriving forests through the dedication of Team Punjab, adding that the campaign marked the beginning of a long-term environmental transformation. ‘This is just the beginning, Insha’Allah. By the grace of Allah, the Punjab of the next decade will be a province of forests, clean air and living rivers for generations to come,’ she said.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the completion of Punjab’s two-year afforestation mission ranked among the most significant environmental achievements in the province’s history. Recalling the government’s pledge to revive Punjab’s forests, she said the commitment had been fulfilled with nearly 50 million trees planted across 54,986 acres between April 2024 and Spring 2026.

She said the impact of the campaign was visible across the province, from Muzaffargarh to Murree, Chichawatni to Faisalabad, and Rahim Yar Khan to Gujranwala, where degraded landscapes were once again turning green.

Describing tree plantation as ‘tomorrow’s inheritance’, the chief minister urged citizens to actively participate in the campaign by planting trees and becoming partners in the mission to build a greener Punjab. ‘What was grey is now green, and what is green shall be protected. This is our gift to generations we may never meet. One mission. One greener Punjab,’ she added.

Highlighting achievements under the Plant for Pakistan Spring Tree Plantation Campaign 2025, she said the restoration of barren lands had emerged as another major milestone, with thousands of acres converted into green landscapes between October 2024 and June 2025.

Sharing details of key plantation sites, the chief minister said around 1.815 million saplings had been planted over 1,500 acres at Ghazi Ghat in Muzaffargarh, 559,000 plants over 2,091 acres at Thul Maghraj in Rajanpur, 708,000 plants across 1,470 acres at Khanani and Rakh Murghai in Muzaffargarh, and 242,000 plants over 200 acres at Pakhowal in Gujrat.

She added that restoration work had also been expanded to Jhok Reserve Forest, Lal Suhanra, Mianwali, Gujranwala and Murree, reflecting the Punjab government’s resolve to restore forests and expand green cover across the province.

The chief minister also highlighted the adoption of modern technology for forest conservation, saying Punjab’s forests were now being monitored round the clock through the Forest Department’s GIS Lab using artificial intelligence-powered drones, satellite imagery and a modern command and control centre.

She said the digital monitoring system enabled the instant detection of illegal tree cutting, encroachments and forest fires through satellite platforms, including Landsat, Sentinel, SPOT and WorldView, ensuring timely action to protect forest resources.

Calling forests a national trust, Maryam Nawaz said every technological innovation was reinforcing efforts to conserve Punjab’s natural heritage and secure a greener future for generations to come. She reiterated her appeal to citizens to plant a tree and play their role in protecting the environment.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said the overwhelming response to admissions in the Nawaz Sharif Centres of Eminence reflected renewed public confidence in government schools.

Chairing a meeting here on Saturday, she reviewed progress on the flagship education initiative. The CM was briefed that more than 71,000 students had applied for admission to 65 functional Nawaz Sharif Centres of Eminence across the province.

Officials informed the meeting that the government aimed to make 114 centres operational by August 14, while the chief minister directed authorities to complete 300 centres by September. According to the briefing, the centres are being established in line with international education standards, with each class accommodating 30 students and offering quality teaching, modern learning facilities and free education for deserving students.

Officials said a 10 per cent quota had also been reserved for students whose families could afford to pay full tuition fees, while children of parents earning up to Rs200,000 per month would receive education free of charge.

CM Maryam Nawaz described the project as an educational revolution in Punjab and said the large number of applicants for admission tests demonstrated growing public trust in the quality of government schools. She expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic participation of students in the admission process and said the government planned to establish Nawaz Sharif Centres of Eminence in every division, district and tehsil of Punjab to ensure access to quality education across the province.

The CM said the initiative was close to her heart and thanked Almighty Allah for its successful progress, saying the government was committed to providing world-class educational opportunities to students from all segments of society.