Day: July 20, 2026

Lahore: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Zone on Sunday arrested two alleged human smugglers in separate operations conducted by the Anti-Human Smuggling Circle,intensifying its crackdown on migrant smuggling and visa fraud.

According to an FIA spokesperson,the arrested suspects were identified as Ahsan Ali Khan and Atif Mehmood Butt.

They were apprehended during raids carried out in Gujrat and Sialkot.

The spokesperson said Ahsan Ali Khan was found involved in a network that allegedly collected money from families of Pakistani citizens who had gone missing in Iran.

He was arrested from Gujrat by the FIA Lahore’s Specialized Law Enforcement Unit (SWAT Team).

Investigators were probing his links with the human smuggling network,financial transactions and other facilitators.

In a separate operation,the FIA arrested Atif Mehmood Butt from Sialkot on charges of visa fraud.

He allegedly deceived a citizen by promising a work visa for France and fraudulently obtained Rs.2.145 million from the victim.

The FIA has registered the cases,taken both suspects into custody and launched further investigations to identify other individuals involved in the offenses,the spokesperson added.

Lahore: Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF), in collaboration with the Intelligence Bureau (IB), has dismantled a major inter-provincial crystal meth (Ice) smuggling network, arresting four suspects, including the alleged kingpin, and recovering 15 kilograms of high-grade narcotics worth an estimated Rs23 million during a 72-hour intelligence-based operation. According to a spokesperson, the operation was carried out under the Chief Minister Punjab’s ‘Drug-Free Punjab’ initiative and successfully disrupted a narcotics supply chain allegedly transporting Ice from Quetta to educational institutions across Punjab.

The operation began when the Strike Team of the Narcotics Control Station (NCS), Multan, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a suspected drug trafficker, Aslam, along with an accomplice and recovered 10 kilograms of high-grade Ice from their possession. During interrogation, investigators allegedly uncovered the network’s operations, revealing that the narcotics had been smuggled from Gulistan in Balochistan and were intended for distribution in major educational institutions across the province.

Acting on the information obtained, CNF and IB launched the second phase of the operation using technical surveillance and human intelligence. The teams traced and arrested the alleged kingpin, Aman Ullah, a resident of Pakpattan, along with his alleged facilitator and driver, Rizwan, in Multan.

Authorities recovered an additional five kilograms of Ice from their possession, raising the total seizure to 15 kilograms, with an estimated international market value of Rs23 million. Preliminary investigations suggest that Aman Ullah allegedly managed the narcotics distribution network across the Multan and Sahiwal divisions and maintained financial and supply links with two alleged Quetta-based drug traffickers, identified as Lala and Nasrullah.

The CNF spokesperson termed the operation a major blow to criminal elements attempting to target educational institutions and endanger the future of Punjab’s youth. Reaffirming the force’s zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, the spokesperson said the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force would continue intelligence-led operations against narcotics networks and appreciated the professionalism and dedication of the officers and personnel who participated in the successful operation.

Lahore: Coordinator to the Federal Tax Ombudsman Saif-Ur-Rehman on Sunday said Pakistan had immense economic potential but required sustained structural reforms to deepen its capital market,attract domestic and foreign investment and ensure long-term economic prosperity.

Talking to a delegation of women entrepreneurs led by Sana Abdullah Chaudhry here,he said a developed capital market was indispensable for sustainable economic growth,investment promotion and strengthening the country’s financial system.

He added that a robust capital market also reduced excessive reliance on bank financing and supported infrastructure development through long-term capital formation.

Saif-Ur-Rehman stressed the need for policy consistency,simplified regulatory frameworks,digital transformation of financial services and enhanced financial literacy to broaden investor participation and improve market confidence.

He said efficient capital markets mobilized domestic savings and channeled them into productive investments while providing businesses with long-term financing for expansion and innovation.

A vibrant stock market,he observed,encouraged entrepreneurship,strengthened corporate governance and promoted transparency, ultimately enhancing investor confidence.

The coordinator urged policymakers,regulators,financial institutions and the private sector to work collectively to build a resilient, transparent and inclusive capital market capable of supporting Pakistan’s long-term economic growth and improving its competitiveness in the global economy.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari said on Sunday that accused involved in the assault on a stage actress during a live performance at Gulistan Theatre in Sheikhupura, has been arrested. Sharing a photograph of the accused Raja Zain, she stated that a thorough investigation into the incident was underway and that strict legal action would be taken against him in accordance with the law. Azma Bokhari said that although the accused had obtained pre-arrest bail, legal proceedings were being pursued to seek the cancellation of his bail so that he could be brought to justice under the law. The Information Minister emphasized that it was the responsibility of theatre owners to ensure a safe and secure environment for performers, particularly female artists. She said such unfortunate incidents were completely unacceptable and reaffirmed that the Punjab government would not compromise on the dignity, safety, and protection of women under any circumstances. Azma Bokhari further stated tha
t no one would be allowed to harass, abuse, or humiliate women, adding that those who take the law into their own hands would be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.

Lahore: Punjab Police Meesaq Centers have provided services to 90,479 members of minority communities across Punjab, including Lahore, during the current year.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, the Meesaq Centers resolved 23,199 issues raised by members of minority communities, while 63,547 individuals were provided services related to Police Khidmat Marakaz.

In Lahore alone, 24,404 members of minority communities have benefited from the Meesaq Centers so far this year. The centers resolved the complaints of 8,067 individuals, while 12,156 people received services through Police Khidmat Marakaz.

Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Kareem said the Meesaq Centers were playing a vital role in promoting interfaith harmony by addressing the concerns of minority communities through a dedicated platform.

He said the centers ensure the prompt resolution of issues faced by minority citizens and provide them with easier access to police services. The IG added that the Meesaq Centers are staffed by Christian police officers who handle the concerns of minority community members on a priority basis, reaffirming Punjab Police’s commitment to equal service delivery and community engagement.

Lahore: Lahore General Hospital (LGH) provided quality healthcare services to more than 2.5 million patients in its Emergency and Out-Patient Departments during the past financial year, reflecting the Punjab government’s vision of “Health for All” and “Patient First” under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The performance was highlighted during a joint meeting of the Academic Council and administrative doctors chaired by Principal of Amiruddin Medical College, Prof. Dr. Farooq Afzal, on Sunday. Addressing the meeting, Prof. Dr. Farooq Afzal said the hospital’s foremost priority was to provide timely and high-quality medical treatment to every patient without delay. He said effective coordination and patient-friendly policies had significantly improved healthcare services across all departments. He also commended the dedication and professionalism of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff for their commitment to serving patients. Medical Superintendent Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain presented the hospital’s annual
performance report, stating that LGH carried out 116,473 major and minor surgeries, admitted 74,234 indoor patients and conducted more than 2.45 million laboratory tests during the last 12 months. He said the hospital also performed 314,031 X-rays, 135,342 ultrasound examinations, 92,641 ECGs, 76,531 CT scans, 19,144 MRI scans, 18,203 dialysis sessions and 6,746 gastroenterology procedures during the period. Prof. Dr. Farooq Afzal and Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain acknowledged the guidance of Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and the hospital’s proactive management for ensuring the efficient utilization of available resources. They also highlighted the initiative of providing free daily breakfast and meals to patients and their attendants through philanthropists, saying it has significantly eased the financial burden on deserving families. They reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing healthcare standards and continuing efforts to provide the best possible medical services and relief to pat
ients.