Day: July 17, 2026

Lahore: Every new vehicle purchased in Punjab will now have to be registered in Punjab itself. In this regard, DG Excise Umar Sher Chatha has issued instructions to the officers of motor branches and car manufacturers for immediate action.

The DG Excise has directed that all car manufacturers and motor branches ensure that every vehicle sold in Punjab is handed over to the owner only after registration is completed. For this purpose, manufacturers will provide the lists of all their authorized dealers to the relevant motor branches.

According to Umar Sher Chatha, all dealers will be issued licenses under the Dealer Vehicle Registration System (DVRS) in a timely manner, while the vehicle purchased on the Punjab CNIC will be registered by the concerned dealer and handed over to the buyer. The process of issuing DVRS licenses will also be started as soon as the lists of dealers are received.

He said that currently 102 dealers across Punjab, including Lahore, have DVRS licenses and are providing vehicle registration facilities. Dealers are charging a service charge of Rs 2,000 per vehicle registration, however, a slight increase in these service charges is also being considered to make the system more transparent and effective.

These instructions were issued during a meeting of DG Excise Umar Sher Chatha with car manufacturers and motor branch directors, in which the relevant institutions were ordered to ensure immediate implementation.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Irrigation Mian Muhammad Kazim Ali Pirzada said on Thursday that the Irrigation department had successfully completed the trial release of water into the New Jalalpur Canal from Rasul Headworks on the Jhelum River.

According to a handout issued here, the minister stated that, in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the project marked a significant addition to the department’s infrastructure and an important step towards agricultural self-sufficiency.

The trial release of water into the New Jalalpur Canal from Rasul Headworks on the Jhelum River was carried out today. Senior officials, engineers and relevant staff of the Irrigation department were present on the occasion and closely monitored the trial operation.

The provincial minister said, “The New Jalalpur Canal is one of Punjab’s most important irrigation projects.

Its objective is to provide canal irrigation facilities to the vast rain-fed areas of Jhelum and Khushab districts, increase agricultural production, reduce dependence on groundwater and promote the economic prosperity of farmers.”

The approximately 117-kilometre-long canal would provide irrigation facilities to around 170,000 acres of agricultural land, he added.

He said, “The project is expected to give a new boost to agricultural activities in the region and further strengthen food security.”

He said the Jhelum River had for centuries been a source of Punjab’s civilization, agriculture and prosperity. With the trial release of water into the New Jalalpur Canal, a new chapter was being written in the history of this historic river, symbolizing development, the efficient and sustainable use of water resources, and prosperity for future generations, he said.

He further said that the Punjab Irrigation department, under the principles of modern engineering, effective water management and sustainable development, remained committed to further strengthening the province’s irrigation system and promoting the growth of the agricultural sector.

Lahore: A 13 member delegation of the Government of Sindh, headed by Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Planning and Development, Jam Khan Shoro held a detailed meeting with WAPDA Chairman Lt (Retd) General Muhammad Saeed and senior officers of the Authority here at WAPDA House on Thursday.

During the day long meeting, a comprehensive departmental review was carried out to identify future challenges to Pakistan’s water, food and energy security.

Both sides deliberated on options to address operational and maintenance challenges related to projects completed by WAPDA in the province of Sindh, particularly the drainage infrastructures.

Under construction and future projects in water and hydropower sectors in Sindh and upper catchment areas of all rivers were also discussed. Following the candid discussions, both sides agreed on a set of measures for expeditious completion of ongoing projects and finalisation of recommendations for political leadership on future projects considered vital for the water, food and energy security of all federating units and growing population of Pakistan.

Lahore: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken action against four major mobile companies for issuing SIMs on identity cards without the permission of the users and imposed a total fine of Rs 740 million.

According to the PTA, Zong was fined Rs 155.6 million for violating SIM issuance rules, Jazz was fined Rs 116.7 million for illegal SIM issuance and negligence in supervision, while Telenor was also fined Rs 116.7 million. Similarly, Ufone was fined more than Rs 233.4 million for various violations.

In its decisions, the PTA has held mobile companies responsible for serious irregularities in the SIM issuance process and directed them to deposit the fines within the stipulated period, otherwise further legal action will be taken.

According to the authority, the responsibility for violations by franchisees will also lie with the concerned mobile company, as the companies did not effectively monitor the franchises and biometric verification system.

The PTA has warned that the issuance of illegal SIMs can lead to serious risks such as identity theft, cyber fraud and financial crimes.

Lahore: Lahore General Hospital (LGH) Medical Superintendent Prof. Dr. Fryad Hussain has appointed Dr. Sundas Tahir as Deputy Medical Superintendent (Admin) in a move aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in the hospital’s administrative affairs.

According to a notification issued on Thursday, Dr. Sundas Tahir has been directed to assume charge immediately. She has been assigned the responsibility of ensuring the attendance and discipline of paramedical staff while maintaining a clean, safe, and hygienic environment throughout the hospital in accordance with public health standards.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Fryad Hussain carried out a surprise inspection of various hospital departments to review cleanliness arrangements. During the visit, he issued a stern warning to the contractor of the private cleaning company, making it clear that there would be zero tolerance for any compromise on hygiene standards.

The Medical Superintendent directed the contractor to ensure high standards of cleanliness in all wards, washrooms, and other hospital areas, maintain regular staff attendance, and implement an effective monitoring system. He warned that any failure to comply with the directives would invite strict action under the relevant rules and regulations.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Fryad Hussain said that providing a clean, safe, and patient-friendly environment for patients and their attendants is the foremost responsibility of the hospital administration. He also instructed the concerned doctors to further strengthen daily monitoring of cleanliness, discipline, and administrative matters to ensure patients receive uninterrupted services.

Reaffirming his commitment to the healthcare vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the policies of the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, the MS said that the provision of quality medical facilities remains LGH’s top priority. He added that all available resources would be utilized to ensure cleanliness, discipline, accountability, and an efficient administrative system, while a zero-tolerance policy would be strictly enforced against any negligence.

Lahore: A sessions court on Thursday sentenced four accused, including former wife of the deceased, to life imprisonment after finding them guilty of murdering an Ichhra resident, Javed Akhtar.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Saifullah Hanjra awarded life imprisonment to Bilqees, Shams Rasool, Abdul Rehman and Khadija Azhar. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 800,000 on each accused.

During the trial, Prosecutor Javed Iqbal Bhatti presented the prosecution’s evidence, including the call detail record (CDR) report and statements of 17 witnesses, which the court relied upon in reaching its verdict.

According to the prosecution, Ichhra police registered the murder case in 2025. Bilqees allegedly conspired with the three co-accused to kill Javed Akhtar in order to gain control of his property and licensed firearm. The prosecution stated that the victim, who was employed in Saudi Arabia and owned property in Ichhra, was fatally stabbed while asleep in his home.