Day: July 18, 2026

Lahore: Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Friday announced an ambitious expansion and modernisation plan for Pakistan Railways after inaugurating the restored Bulleh Shah Passenger Train, saying several new train services, station upgrades and infrastructure projects would be launched to improve rail travel across the country.

Addressing a media briefing after the inauguration ceremony, the minister said the Bulleh Shah Passenger Train had been restored after remaining suspended for 15 years despite strong public demand. He said Pakistan Railways was steadily moving towards progress and more train services would be restored as resources became available. He announced that the Ravi Express would be relaunched later this month, while preparations were also underway to start a Lahore-Wagah train service.

Hanif Abbasi said Pakistan Railways would induct 64 new passenger coaches instead of the previously planned 32, while 43 GEU locomotives would be overhauled and dedicated to freight operations. He expressed confidence that the department’s performance would improve by at least 32 per cent.

The minister said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had allocated Rs2 billion for the upgradation of Lahore Railway Station, while the Punjab government would also finance the Shahdara-Raiwind railway project. He added that Khanewal, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala railway stations had already been upgraded to state-of-the-art standards.

Highlighting safety initiatives, Hanif Abbasi said Pakistan Railways had signed an agreement with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to develop Safe and Smart Railway Stations. He said 184 surveillance cameras had already been installed at Rawalpindi Railway Station, while Lahore, Multan, Khanewal and Karachi railway stations would also be equipped with modern surveillance systems in the second phase of the project.

The minister said the government was engaging with the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to install railway crossing gates across the provinces, adding that the ML-1 and ML-3 railway projects would be completed during the present government’s tenure.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Railways Malik Rashid Ahmad said he had raised the demand for restoring the Lahore-Pakpattan train service three months ago, adding that the suspension of the Bulleh Shah Passenger Train for 15 years had caused serious difficulties for people of the region. He said Pakistan Railways’ revenue had increased to Rs115 billion and urged the public to support the national railway by purchasing tickets and ensuring the Bulleh Shah Passenger Train continued operating successfully.

Lahore: The Punjab government has decided to launch a unique and comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of prisoners and the elimination of violent behavior in jails. For the first time, a regular de-radicalization program will be introduced in all jails of the province for the assessment of the behavior of prisoners, psychological support and rehabilitation.

The decision on this plan was taken in a high-level meeting held in the Punjab Home Department, which was chaired by Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi. The meeting reviewed in detail the framework model to be prepared for the de-radicalization and rehabilitation of prisoners. The meeting was also attended by IG Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, Chief Coordination Officer Ghulam Sagheer Shahid, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Borana and Deputy Coordination Officer Dr. Ahmed Khawar.

Under the project, de-radicalization centers will be established in all jails of Punjab, where psychological assessment of prisoners as well as prison staff will be conducted. Special training on non-violence, positive attitudes and social rehabilitation will be provided in these centers, while special counseling will also be provided to those involved in terrorism cases and prisoners who commit repeated crimes.

According to officials, prisoners with violent behaviors will be identified during the program, their personality, thinking and behavior will be psychologically assessed and appropriate treatment and rehabilitation will be initiated.

According to the details, in this project, the families of such prisoners will also be made part of the training program so that their effective social rehabilitation can be made possible after their release. A report based on the progress of the prisoners concerned will also be compiled every month under the program.

Addressing the meeting, Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi directed the Prisons Department to prepare a special training manual and said that this project for the rehabilitation of prisoners will prove to be a great national service.

He stressed that special training models should be prepared keeping in mind the religious, social and cultural traditions of Pakistan, while the process of counseling the prisoners should also be completed before their release.

Lahore: The Punjab government has taken a major step towards establishing “Maryam Nawaz Sports City” in Lahore and has approved the feasibility study of the project. The aim of the project is to provide world-class sports facilities in the province and establish a modern sports complex of international standards.

Under the project, a modern, integrated and world-class sports city will be built on an area of 300 acres in Lahore. The feasibility study will examine the cost, financial sustainability, environmental impact, technical issues and other essential aspects of the project in detail so that an effective and solid decision can be taken on its implementation.

During this time, a detailed survey of the proposed site will also be conducted, which will include a review of all technical issues including land availability, accessibility, geographical situation, potential impacts on traffic, geotechnical investigations, utility systems, environmental and social impacts.

According to the proposed master plan, several world-class sports facilities will be established in the Sports City, including a multi-purpose outdoor stadium, multi-sports indoor complex, Olympic-standard swimming arena, velodrome, squash arena, lawn tennis, paddle tennis and futsal courts.

In addition, an archery complex, multi-purpose sports ground, sports institute, athletes’ hostel, administrative offices, commercial areas, restaurants, extensive parking, modern road network, landscaping, utilities and other public facilities will also be part of the project.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has named the “Apni Chhat, Mahfuz Chhat” project after the martyred children of Kahna tragedy and launched the digital portal of the project.

On this occasion, she also announced a significant reduction in loan installments to provide safe housing to the citizens.

The Chief Minister directed that the monthly installment of interest-free loan of Rs 500,000 under the scheme should be fixed at around Rs 4,700 instead of Rs 14,000, while the monthly installment of citizens getting a loan of up to Rs 1 million has been fixed at Rs 9,300.

Under this scheme, citizens will be able to get interest-free loans to secure weak roofs of their houses, build an additional room or build a second floor. The loan of Rs 500,000 will be repaid in monthly installments of around Rs 4,700 over a period of nine years.

Provincial Minister for Housing Bilal Yasin and Secretary Housing Noorul Amin Mengal gave a briefing regarding the project, while the Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the entire team in preparing the project.

Speaking at the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz said that a house is not just a structure of bricks and stones but a symbol of security, peace and family safety. She said that children feel safe with their mother in their home and a safe home provides confidence and satisfaction to every person.

Describing the Kahna tragedy as a very heartbreaking incident, the Chief Minister said that 14 innocent children lost their lives due to the collapse of the roof during construction, the pain of which she still feels today. She said that after this tragedy, she could not sleep the whole night and felt the grief of the affected mother closely.

Maryam Nawaz said that due to heavy rains, storms and other weather conditions, incidents of weak roofs and walls collapsing continue, in which precious lives are lost. She said that the “Apni Chhat, Mahfuz Chhat” project has been launched to protect citizens from these dangers and strengthen every home.

Lahore: The Punjab University has awarded 10 PhD degrees to the scholars in various disciplines, in which they achieved the degrees.

These scholars include Afshan Hanif, daughter of Muhammad Hanif, in Commerce, Syed Taqi Karamat, son of Syed Karamat Ali Najfi in History, Fazal Abbas Awan, son of Tariq Javed, in International Relations, Ayesha Shahid Sheikh, daughter of Shahid Iqbal Sheikh in Clinical Psychology.

Likewise, Asma Nosheen, daughter of Muhammad Rafique, in Zoology, Saira Ahmed, daughter of Muhammad Ahmed Awan, in Commerce, Hafsah Javed, daughter of Khawaja Javed Ahmed, in Communication Studies, Akhtar Shahnaz, son of Muhammad Hayat, in Chemistry, Muhammad Raza Malik, son of Tariq Mehmood Malik, in Chemistry and Nomana Masood, daughter of Masoodul Haq Siddiqui, in Art and Design (Art History) were awarded the degrees.

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Communications and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth chaired a meeting to review the progress of the Lahore Ring Road (LRR) Service Areas Project.

Secretary Communications and Works Raja Jahangir Anwar, Chairman Lahore Ring Road Authority Safiullah Gondal, the Special Secretary, and other concerned officers attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that the financial bidding process for the Lahore Ring Road Service Areas Project has been completed. Under Phase-I, six modern service areas will be established along the Lahore Ring Road.

The Provincial Minister directed the authorities to complete the project on a fast-track basis. He instructed that 3D designs for all service areas be prepared and a comprehensive plantation plan be developed for the project.

The meeting was informed that the service areas will be established at Adda Plot, Haloki, Niazi Interchange, Sharifpura, Kamahan, and Multan Road Interchange.

Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth said that modern travel facilities will be provided on the Lahore Ring Road, and the new service areas, equipped with modern amenities, will be a significant addition to the Ring Road’s infrastructure. He also directed the authorities to complete all remaining stages of the project within the stipulated timeline.

The Provincial Minister said that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz is committed to transforming the Lahore Ring Road into a state-of-the-art facility.