Day: July 22, 2026

Lahore: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday accelerated implementation of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by operationalizing the NAB Executive Facilitation Office and finalizing its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to expedite the resolution of genuine business concerns within the Bureau’s legal framework.

The progress was made during a high-level consultative meeting held at the Executive Facilitation Office established at the LCCI premises following its inauguration by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Nazir Ahmed.

The meeting was attended by a NAB delegation led by Director NAB Lahore Nasim Ahmad Khan and an LCCI delegation headed by President Fahimur Rehman Saigal. Participants discussed regulatory and governance issues affecting the business community, with particular focus on the real estate sector, housing and development projects, public procurement, regulatory procedures and delays in approvals.

The meeting also received a number of applications from members of the business community, mainly relating to real estate matters. It was agreed that genuine grievances would be examined strictly in accordance with the law and processed through the Executive Facilitation Office with prompt institutional coordination.

On the occasion, Director NAB Lahore Nasim Ahmad Khan said that under the leadership of NAB Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Nazir Ahmed and the guidance of Director General NAB Lahore Mirza Faran Baig, the Bureau was pursuing a facilitation-oriented approach that complemented accountability through prevention, institutional coordination and constructive engagement with stakeholders.

He said the Executive Facilitation Office would provide the business community with a dedicated institutional platform to raise legitimate concerns and help identify systemic bottlenecks requiring coordinated solutions.

The participants also reviewed proposals aimed at improving regulatory efficiency, reducing procedural delays and promoting transparency in sectors critical to commercial activity.

Reaffirming their commitment to the MoU, NAB Lahore and LCCI agreed to continue regular consultations to support governance reforms, strengthen investor confidence and foster a more transparent and business-friendly economic environment.

Lahore: A traffic inspector of the City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) on Tuesday recovered a stolen vehicle during routine patrolling on Jail Road and handed it over to the local police.

According to a spokesperson, Traffic Inspector Rana Inam intercepted a suspicious vehicle during patrol and verified its details through the One App. The verification confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen and was wanted in a registered theft case.

The recovered vehicle was subsequently handed over to the Shadman Police Station for further legal proceedings. Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi appreciated inspector for his vigilance and prompt action.

Lahore: The provincial capital experienced rainfall for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, bringing pleasant weather and a noticeable drop in temperature, while the Met office has predicted more showers during the next 24 hours.

Four-spell rain started early in the morning which remained continue till evening varying low to moderate in most parts of the city and adjacent areas.

According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the highest rainfall of 86 mm was recorded in Nishtar Town. Other recorded rainfall included 36 mm at Airport, 36.4 mm at Kahna, 33 mm at Upper Mall, 30 mm at Gulshan Ravi, 27 mm at Samanabad, 24 mm at WASA Head Office Gulberg, 22 mm at Lakshmi Chowk, Iqbal Town and Pani Wala Talab, 18 mm at Jail Road and Saggian, 15 mm at Chowk Nakhuda, 12 mm at Tajpura, Farrukhabad and Shadipura, 10.2 mm at Mughalpura, 6 mm at Defence Road, and 5.2 mm at Manawan.

Despite the heavy downpour in several areas, WASA claimed that all major roads and underpasses remained clear, with traffic flowing normally across the city. Water was promptly drained from key locations including Ik Morria Bridge, Qartaba Chowk, Lytton Road, Shah Jamal, Waris Road, Empress Road, Cooper Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Nabha Road, GPO Road, Railway Station, Ali Block Garden Town, Chuburji, Karim Park Ravi Road, Bhati Gate, B Block Tajpura, Rasool Park Shama Road, Wahdat Road, Tikka Chowk Johar Town, and Allah-hu-Chowk. WASA’s Monsoon Control Room continued round-the-clock monitoring of the city’s drainage situation, while all disposal stations and operational teams remained fully active to provide timely relief to residents.

Managing Director WASA directed officials to ensure the immediate resolution of public complaints and warned that any negligence in drainage operations would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, WASA Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shehbaz Ahmad, accompanied by Deputy Managing Director Abdul Latif, remained in the field to supervise rain response operations. The vice chairman visited the Liberty Chowk Monsoon Emergency Relief Camp, where Executive Engineer Usman Haider briefed him on ongoing operational activities.

Suthra Punjab Agency Lahore (SPAL) continued its cleanliness and waste clearance operations without interruption despite intermittent heavy and light rainfall across different areas of the city. Operational teams remained fully active in the field throughout the rainfall, ensuring uninterrupted waste clearance and sanitation services across Lahore.

The Local Meteorological Office has forecast more rain over the next 24 hours. Heavy rains may trigger landslides in vulnerable areas of Punjab. Heavy rains may generate flash flooding in local streams and Nullahs of Northeastern Punjab and may cause urban flooding in Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad during the period.

Windstorm, lightning and heavy rains may damage weak structures (solar panels, electric poles, bill boards etc.) during the forecast period, it warned.

Rainfall recorded in other cities in mm; Gujranwala 209, Narowal 151, Jhelum and Sialkot (Airport 101, City 77), Mandi Bahuddin 94, Mangla 90, Gujrat 76, Murree 75, Hafizabad 73, Attock 48, (Lahore Airport 41, City 18), Jhang 35, Islamabad (Saidpur Village 65, Golra 33, Zero point, Bokra 29, Airport 22), Chakwal 27, Okara and Bahawalnagar 23, Sahiwal 22, Dera Ghazi Khan 16, Faisalabad, Bhakkar and Kot Addu 10.

Lahore: Punjab University (PU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali on Tuesday said pharmacists play a pivotal role in strengthening the healthcare system by ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines, promoting public health, and contributing to pharmaceutical research and innovation.

He expressed these views while addressing the 12th Degree Awarding Ceremony of the PU College of Pharmacy, where 228 graduates received Pharm-D and MPhil Pharmacy degrees.

The ceremony was attended by Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mahmood Saleem, Dean Faculty of Pharmacy Prof Dr Hamid Saeed, Registrar Dr Ahmad Islam, Principal College of Pharmacy Prof Dr Nasir Abbas, Convener Prof Dr Furqan Hashmi, faculty members, graduates, parents and distinguished guests.

Congratulating the graduating students and their parents, the vice chancellor described the occasion as an important milestone in their academic journey. He said Punjab University remained committed to producing competent professionals equipped with sound knowledge, professional skills and ethical values.

He urged the graduates to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compassion and professionalism while serving society, adding that continuous learning, research and innovation were essential to addressing emerging healthcare challenges and improving people’s quality of life. He also advised them to use their knowledge for the welfare of humanity and contribute to Pakistan’s socio-economic development through quality healthcare services and scientific research.

Speaking on the occasion, Dean Faculty of Pharmacy Prof Dr Hamid Saeed said the PU College of Pharmacy ranked among the world’s leading pharmacy institutions and continued to attract students from different countries. He said the college’s graduates enjoyed strong demand in the job market due to their academic excellence and professional competence.

A total of 183 students were awarded the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) degree, while 45 scholars received MPhil Pharmacy degrees. The university also conferred four gold medals on outstanding MPhil graduates and three gold medals on exceptional Pharm-D graduates in recognition of their outstanding academic performance.

Lahore: The Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Punjab has launched a regular tennis training programme for children residing at its shelter homes to promote their physical, mental and moral development.

The initiative has been introduced on the directions of CPWB Chairperson Sarah Ahmad, who appointed a qualified tennis coach to provide professional training to both boys and girls living at the bureau.

According to a spokesperson, the programme is aimed at improving children’s physical fitness, sporting abilities and overall personality development through structured coaching.

Besides teaching modern tennis techniques, the training focuses on instilling discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and healthy lifestyle values, helping children become physically active, mentally resilient and socially responsible individuals.

On the occasion, Sarah Ahmad said sports played a key role in personality development by building confidence, leadership qualities and positive attitudes among children. She said the bureau was committed not only to providing protection and shelter but also to ensuring the holistic development of children through education, healthcare, sports and other constructive co-curricular activities.

She added that the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau was making every effort to provide children with a safe, healthy and nurturing environment, enabling them to become skilled, confident and productive citizens capable of contributing positively to society.

Lahore: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem on Tuesday met police personnel and their family members at the Central Police Office (CPO) and issued immediate directions for the resolution of their grievances.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, the IGP listened to issues raised by police employees and their families and directed the relevant officers to ensure prompt relief.

On an application seeking the promotion of five constables, the IGP directed the additional IG to place the matter under consideration.

Responding to Constable Riyasat Ali’s application regarding the cancellation of a criminal case, he directed the deputy IG (Investigation) Lahore to take the necessary action.

On an application submitted by three head constables regarding a training course, the IG instructed the regional police officer (RPO) Multan to provide the required relief.

He also directed the additional IG Punjab to examine the application seeking the recruitment of the son of the late Sub-Inspector Sajjad Ahmad. IGP Abdul Kareem further issued directions on other applications relating to discipline, administration, promotions and welfare, reaffirming the Punjab Police’s commitment to addressing the genuine concerns of its personnel and their families.