Day: July 16, 2026

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Ijaz on Wednesday visited the Chung area of Tehsil Allama Iqbal Town to review flood preparedness arrangements along the River Ravi, directing all departments concerned to remain on high alert and ensure round-the-clock monitoring of protection bunds during the monsoon season.

The DC was accompanied by Chief Officer MCL Kaleem Yousaf, Assistant Commissioner Allama Iqbal Tariq Shabbir, and senior officials of the Irrigation Department and the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), who briefed him on the condition of protection embankments, water-level monitoring and emergency preparedness measures.

During the visit, Muhammad Ali Ijaz inspected flood protection bunds and emergency relief points, directing officials to maintain continuous surveillance of embankments to minimize the risk of flooding and erosion. He said precautionary measures had been completed and emergency response teams had been deployed in vulnerable low-lying areas along the river.

The DC instructed all relevant departments to strengthen coordination and ensure a swift response to any emergency situation. He said the district administration was utilizing all available resources to safeguard the lives and property of citizens and warned that negligence in flood monitoring or preparedness would not be tolerated.

He said that public safety remained the administration’s foremost priority and assured that flood preparedness measures would continue to be closely monitored throughout the monsoon season.

Lahore: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem on Wednesday awarded commendation certificates and cash rewards to seven high-performing officers of Sheikhupura Police in recognition of their outstanding services in maintaining law and order, crime control and effective policing.

The awards were presented during a ceremony held at the Central Police Office (CPO), Lahore.

Speaking on the occasion, the IGP appreciated the officers for their professional excellence in maintaining law and order, ensuring security and improving public service delivery. He said officers who demonstrated dedication and professionalism in policing were valuable assets of the Punjab Police.

Abdul Kareem said the Punjab Police would continue to encourage and reward officers contributing to the implementation of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Safe Punjab Vision.”

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, SP Investigation Sheikhupura Ghulam Abbas received a commendation letter and cash reward, while DSP Ghulam Murtaza Dogar and DSP Tariq Ilyas Kiyani were also presented with commendation letters and cash awards.

Inspector Muhammad Nizam, Inspector Rizwan Elahi, Sub-Inspector Ghazanfar Aziz and Sub-Inspector Manzoor Ahmad were also honoured with commendation certificates and cash rewards for their outstanding performance.

The IGP directed the officers to continue performing their duties with dedication, professionalism and commitment to ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property, maintain law and order and further improve public service delivery.

RPO Sheikhupura Athar Ismail Amjad, DPO Sheikhupura Bilal Zafar Sheikh, AIG Administration and Security Farooq Sultan and other senior officers also attended the ceremony.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said the Punjab government was committed to equipping the province’s youth with modern technology and vocational skills.

She urged them to embrace freelancing, information technology and technical trades to contribute to Pakistan’s progress and prosperity.

In her message on World Youth Skills Day, the chief minister said a technologically skilled and professionally trained youth was the country’s greatest asset and the driving force behind its future development.

She said the Punjab government had allocated substantial resources to promote youth skill development and entrepreneurship. More than 108,000 people had benefited from the Asaan Karobar and Asaan Finance schemes, while young entrepreneurs were being provided interest-free loans ranging from Rs1 million to Rs3 million under the Asaan Karobar Scheme.

Maryam Nawaz said 2,000 young graduates were receiving a monthly stipend of Rs60,000 under the Agriculture Internship Programme to gain practical experience in the agricultural sector.

She said vocational training institutes across Punjab were offering internationally aligned courses in information technology, construction, masonry, welding, tile fixing and heavy vehicle maintenance. She added that 10,000 skilled youth had secured employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in line with international labour market requirements.

The CM said Punjab had, for the first time, introduced e-commerce, digital marketing and advanced IT courses into its skills development curriculum to prepare young people for emerging economic opportunities.

Highlighting women’s empowerment, she said the Sehar Programme was providing vocational training in beautification, hospitality and airline management to 5,365 women across the province. The participants were also receiving free laptops and a monthly stipend of Rs7,500, she added.

Lahore: Punjab Police continued its disciplinary accountability process as Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Abdul Kareem awarded punishments to 20 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) in various orderly room proceedings.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, during an orderly room chaired by the IGP on July 9, major penalties were imposed on three DSPs. One officer was dismissed from service, another was demoted to the rank of senior traffic warden, while the third officer was awarded another major disciplinary penalty.

The spokesperson said that in earlier orderly room proceedings, disciplinary action had also been taken against 17 DSPs. Among them, two officers were dismissed from service, one was demoted in rank, two received reduction in pay, while 12 others were awarded various disciplinary penalties.

IGP Abdul Kareem said the process of accountability within Punjab Police would continue to ensure discipline, professionalism and efficient public service delivery, the spokesperson added.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the prompt resolution of public issues raised by lawmakers from Mandi Bahauddin during a meeting held to review constituency matters and the prevailing political situation.

Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) Khalid Mehmood Ranjha and Chaudhry Akhtar Abbas Bosal called on the chief minister and briefed her on the needs and concerns of residents of provincial constituencies PP-42 and PP-43. They also discussed matters of mutual interest and the overall political situation.

The chief minister instructed the relevant departments to take immediate steps to address the public issues highlighted by the legislators, reaffirming her government’s commitment to responsive and people-centric governance.

The lawmakers appreciated the launch of the electric bus service in Mandi Bahauddin and commended the chief minister’s initiatives for the beautification of major and smaller cities across Punjab.

CM Maryam Nawaz said that additional electric buses would be introduced not only in Mandi Bahauddin but also in other districts of the province to provide modern, environmentally friendly and affordable public transport facilities. She said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had always honoured the commitments made to the people with the blessings of Almighty Allah.

The CM said the construction and expansion of more than 32,000 kilometres of roads across Punjab would significantly boost economic and commercial activity by improving connectivity and facilitating trade. She added that the international recognition earned by the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme, the Safe City initiative and the Suthra Punjab campaign reflected the Punjab government’s commitment to effective governance, public welfare and sustainable development.

Lahore: Two Pakistani nationals who had reportedly gone missing in Iran safely reached the Pakistan Embassy in Tehran following coordinated efforts by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), officials said on Wednesday.

According to FIA officials on Wednesday, the development came as a result of the timely intervention and coordinated efforts of FIA Director General Dr. Usman Anwar and the FIA Link Office in Iran.

The two individuals, identified as Talha and Shehzad, belong to Pasin village Jallo Mor in Lahore.

The recovered citizens expressed gratitude to DG FIA Dr. Usman Anwar, the FIA Link Office in Iran and other FIA officials for their prompt assistance and continuous efforts in ensuring their safe return to the Pakistan Embassy in Tehran.

Further necessary arrangements are being made in coordination with the relevant authorities, FIA officials added.