Day: July 15, 2026

Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi on Tuesday directed traffic officers to intensify enforcement against traffic violations and warned that officials found involved in corruption would face dismissal from service instead of suspension.

During visits to the Kotwali Sector, Railway Station Sector and the Railway Station Driving Licensing Centre, the CTO reviewed the overall performance of the City Circle, inspected public service facilities and received briefings from traffic wardens.

He also reviewed various stages of the driving licence issuance process and interacted with citizens visiting the licensing centre to seek feedback on the facilities being provided.

Expressing dissatisfaction over enforcement in the City Circle, the CTO directed DSP Rana Shahzad to improve operational performance and ensure effective traffic management.

Shirazi ordered strict action against one-way traffic violations, illegal turns, underage driving and motorists driving without valid licences.

He said vehicles carrying iron girders, steel rods and other hazardous loads in violation of safety regulations would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The CTO also directed officers to work with traders in Misri Shah, Circular Road and Shah Alam Market to resolve parking-related issues and improve traffic flow in the congested commercial areas.

Issuing a stern warning against corruption, Shirazi said officials found involved in corrupt practices, negligence of duty or misconduct with citizens would face immediate dismissal from service.

He instructed all traffic officers to facilitate the public both in the field and at offices by ensuring courteous behaviour and efficient service delivery.

The CTO also announced that the Railway Station Licensing Booth would now issue juvenile driving permits and motorcycle driving licences, providing greater convenience to citizens.

He further directed all driving licensing centres to give priority to women and senior citizens to ensure faster and more convenient access to licensing services.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday approved the establishment of Aitchison-level schools for boys and girls across the province and gave the go-ahead for the pilot project of the Maryam Nawaz Centre of Academic Leadership.

The approval was granted during a meeting on school education chaired by the chief minister here, where she was given a detailed briefing on the proposed academic leadership centre.

The meeting decided to establish the first Maryam Nawaz Centre of Academic Leadership on Wahdat Road in Lahore for male and female students.

According to the briefing, the state-of-the-art institution will feature a modern sports hall, hockey and cricket stadiums, horse-riding facilities and a swimming pool. The centre will have the capacity to enrol 5,000 boys and 5,000 girls, providing high-quality academic and extracurricular opportunities.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the initiative aimed to provide students with world-class educational and sports facilities while promoting academic excellence and leadership development across Punjab.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, during his visit to Australia, visited Glenwood Gurdwara Sahib and the Sikh Museum in Sydney, where members of the Australian Sikh community appreciated the Punjab government’s initiatives for minority welfare and the preservation of Sikh religious heritage.

The management of Glenwood Gurdwara Sahib presented the minister with an honorary Siropa, while he also recorded his remarks in the visitors’ book, said a handout issued here on Tuesday.

During the visit, he held discussions with members of the Sikh community on promoting religious, cultural and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the global Sikh diaspora.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government remained committed to strengthening engagement with the global Sikh community. He said the provincial government had undertaken landmark initiatives for the restoration and conservation of gurdwaras, promotion of religious tourism and provision of international-standard facilities at the Kartarpur Corridor, Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Janam Asthan and other sacred Sikh sites.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said protecting minority places of worship and promoting interfaith harmony were central to the Punjab government’s vision. He added that practical measures were being taken to provide safe, dignified and convenient pilgrimage facilities for Sikh devotees, making Punjab a model of peace, religious tolerance and interfaith harmony.

Lahore: The district administration on Tuesday continued its grand operation against dangerous and illegal buildings across the city on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ejaz, demolishing eight hazardous structures and sealing four others to ensure public safety.

The operation was carried out in Data Ganj Bakhsh and Shalimar zones, including GT Road, Baghbanpura and Islampura. Authorities also demolished illegal constructions on Ghori Shah Road, Kachho Pura, Sanda Road and Abdali Road over violations of approved building plans.

The administration removed dangerous walls and dilapidated structures posing risks to the public, while illegal constructions located near high-voltage electricity transmission lines were dismantled to prevent potential loss of life.

Officials said a hazardous portion of a building on Ayub Road was safely demolished without heavy machinery due to the presence of electricity wires.

The DC directed authorities to further expedite the identification of unsafe buildings across the city and ensure indiscriminate legal action against owners violating approved building plans. He also instructed officials to prioritise public safety and maintain smooth traffic flow during demolition operations, particularly in areas close to power lines.

DC Muhammad Ali Ejaz said public safety remained the administration’s top priority and all dangerous buildings would be removed without exception. He added that violations of building regulations would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ejaz on Tuesday visited the one-window facilitation cell established at LDA City Block C for the payment of compensation to affected landowners of Mouza Tor Waraich, directing officials to expedite document verification and ensure

transparent, merit-based disbursement of compensation.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Hafiz Karim Dad Chughtai and Chief Officer Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) Kaleem Yousaf accompanied the deputy commissioner during the visit. The DC met the affected landowners and reviewed the operational arrangements of the special facilitation centre. DC Muhammad Ali Ejaz directed officials to further accelerate the verification process so that affected landowners could receive their compensation without unnecessary delay.

Lahore: The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PMI Lahore Chapter to create greater professional development opportunities for IT professionals through the Global IT Certifications Program (GITCP).

The MoU was signed by PITB Director General (DG) e-Governance, Sajid Latif, and PMI Lahore Chapter President, Dr. Khalid Ahmad Khan. PITB Director Skills Development Ahmad Islam Syan, Joint Director (JD) HR Farhan Akbar, PMI Lahore Chapter Director Membership Farzok Malik, along with representatives from GITCP and PMI Lahore Chapter, also attended the signing ceremony.

Under this strategic partnership, candidates applying for the globally recognized Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification through GITCP will be eligible for an exclusive 30 percent discount on PMP training offered by PMI Lahore Chapter. The initiative aims to make high-quality project management training more affordable and accessible, enabling aspiring professionals to prepare for one of the world’s most prestigious project management certifications.

The collaboration marks another significant milestone in PITB’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Punjab’s digital workforce by providing access to internationally recognized certifications that enhance professional skills, improve employability, and align local talent with evolving global industry standards.

In his message on the occasion, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated, ‘At PITB, we are committed to equipping our youth and IT professionals with globally recognized skills that enhance their competitiveness in the international digital economy. Our partnership with PMI Lahore Chapter reflects this commitment by making world-class project management training and certification more accessible and affordable.’

PITB’s Global IT Certifications Program is designed to bridge the skills gap by providing aspiring professionals with access to internationally accredited certifications across high-demand technology domains. By collaborating with leading global organizations and industry partners, PITB continues to empower individuals with the knowledge and credentials required to excel in an increasingly competitive global job market.

IT professionals interested in availing the opportunity can register through the Global IT Certifications Program portal at certifications.pitb.gov.pk.