Day: July 22, 2026

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Communication and Works (CandW) Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth on Tuesday said the department’s Highway and Building Wings had been placed on high alert across the province to ensure uninterrupted road connectivity and effective rainwater drainage during the ongoing monsoon spell.

Acting on the minister’s directions, field formations of both wings remained fully operational, with Highway Wing teams deployed on roads and maintenance staff carrying out the cleaning of drains alongside roads and bridges to facilitate the smooth flow of rainwater and minimize waterlogging.

The minister said the Highway Wing’s beldar staff was actively ensuring the timely drainage of rainwater from roads, while all construction sites had been fully secured to prevent any public inconvenience or safety hazards. He added that officers of the Highway and Building Wings were working in close coordination with the district administration to respond promptly to rain-related issues.

Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth said comprehensive monsoon preparedness measures had been put in place throughout Punjab to safeguard public infrastructure and ensure smooth traffic movement. He warned that any negligence or dereliction of duty in dealing with rain-related operations would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against those found responsible.

Lahore: Lahore Commissioner Nauman Yousaf on Tuesday reviewed rainwater drainage operations across the provincial capital and directed all civic, administrative and traffic management agencies to remain on high alert in view of the forecast of heavy rainfall, ordering all departments to ensure swift drainage of rainwater, keep roads and underpasses clear, and maintain smooth traffic flow across the city.

During a visit to major rain-affected and under-construction locations, including Ferozepur Road, Kalma Chowk, Gaddafi Bridge, Garden Town, Barkat Market, LOS, Samanabad Chowk, Chauburji, Qurtaba Chowk, Waris Road, Haji Camp, Railway Station, Lady Willingdon and the Data Darbar area, the commissioner assessed the pace of drainage operations and reviewed field implementation reports.

WASA officials briefed the commissioner that ponding areas across the city were being cleared in the shortest possible time after rainfall. He also reviewed the performance of underground water tank operation centres at Ali Block Garden Town and Waris Road, besides receiving a briefing on the underground drainage system from Haji Camp to Chauburji.

The commissioner directed authorities to ensure the availability of suction machines and adequate manpower according to operational requirements, deploy dedicated teams around under-construction sites and ensure immediate drainage of accumulated rainwater. He also issued on-site instructions to improve drainage operations at Kalma Chowk and Gaddafi Bridge.

Nauman Yousaf said the operational underground water storage tanks had effectively prevented water accumulation in several vulnerable areas. He added that the underground water tank at Barkat Market was fully functional and the area remained clear despite intermittent rainfall. He noted that WASA and the district administration were maintaining a continuous field response and that the city’s second spell of monsoon rain was nearing its end with most areas remaining clear.

In view of forecasts predicting more heavy rainfall, the commissioner separately instructed all departments responsible for drainage, traffic management and civic services to remain fully alert throughout the working day.

He directed WASA, the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) and the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to keep field teams deployed near low-lying areas and identified hotspots, while assistant commissioners were asked to personally supervise drainage operations in their respective tehsils.

The commissioner further directed all WASA town directors to closely monitor their jurisdictions and ensure uninterrupted operation of disposal station pumps. He ordered that generators be used to keep disposal stations functional in areas affected by power outages, while field teams of CBD Punjab and the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) were also instructed to remain ready for an immediate response to any rain-related emergency.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert in view of the ongoing monsoon spell and instructed all Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to closely monitor the rainfall situation across the province.

The CM directed the authorities to ensure the availability of WASA machinery in all districts for the timely disposal of rainwater and ordered advance measures to prevent urban flooding. She further instructed the district administrations to ensure the immediate drainage of rainwater from both major and minor localities in all cities. She also directed the authorities to expedite the removal of accumulated rainwater to protect the public from unnecessary hardship and inconvenience.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government is fully aware of the difficulties faced by citizens during the monsoon season and would ensure their prompt redressal.

She warned that negligence in rainwater drainage operations would not be tolerated in Lahore or any other district of Punjab.

Lahore: Pakistan’s Designate High Commissioner to Tanzania, Hasnain Yousaf, here Tuesday met with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol to discuss ways to strengthen trade and economic relations between Pakistan and African countries, increase exports, and explore new markets.

Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, Executive Committee Member Nadeem Ansari, and other chamber officials were also present.

Saigol said that Pakistan must focus on new and emerging markets to increase its exports. He said Africa is a large and fast-growing market that offers significant opportunities for Pakistani products, especially auto parts, engineering goods, and other industrial products.

He said that finding new export destinations has become essential due to the challenges facing Pakistan’s exports. He also highlighted the potential for exporting skilled and professional manpower to African countries, which could create employment opportunities and increase remittances.

LCCI President noted that around 60 percent of Pakistan’s remittances come from Gulf countries, and changing regional conditions make it important to explore alternative markets and opportunities. He added that African and American countries import goods worth billions of dollars annually, and Pakistan should work to secure a larger share of these markets.

He requested the Designate High Commissioner to support efforts aimed at boosting Pakistani exports, strengthening business links, and organizing single-country exhibitions.

He said the Lahore Chamber is actively working to help businesses access new international markets.

Addressing the meeting, Hasnain Yousaf said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry plays an important role in Pakistan’s economy and business development. He added that the Government of Pakistan is paying special attention to increasing exports and exploring new markets.

He described Africa as an emerging market with strong business potential for Pakistani companies. He assured the business community of full support in promoting trade, investment, business cooperation, and employment opportunities for Pakistani professionals and workers in Tanzania and other African countries.

Hasnain Yousaf said that through teamwork and continuous engagement, Pakistan and African countries can significantly increase bilateral trade, and he pledged his full support to the Lahore Chamber and Pakistan’s business community.

Lahore: The fourth convocation of the University of Health Sciences (UHS) was held on Tuesday, with 1,449 postgraduates receiving degrees in various disciplines.

The graduates who completed their programmes between 2022 and 2026 were awarded degrees at the ceremony, which was attended by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique as chief guest.

Twenty-eight outstanding graduates were awarded gold medals for their exceptional performance in various fields, while 37 graduates received PhD degrees. The university awarded 572 MS, 311 MPhil, 176 MD, 182 postgraduate diploma and 62 MS Nursing degrees. In addition, 53 MPH, 40 Master in Health Professions Education and 16 MDS degrees were conferred upon the graduates.

UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ahsan Waheed Rathore, former health minister Prof Dr Javed Akram, Chairman Board of Governors Prof Farkhunda Wasim Farrukh and Prof Dr Rashid Latif Khan were among those present.

Former Director General Health Punjab Dr Zahid Pervaiz, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Prof Tayyaba Wasim, Principal Ameer-ud-Din Medical College and General Hospital Lahore Prof Farooq Afzal, Principal Services Institute of Medical Sciences Prof Zohra Khanum, Prof Jalal Anjum, CEO Punjab Health Initiative Management Company Dr Ali Razaq, Prof Sardar Al-Freed Zafar, Prof Ayesha Shaukat, Prof Mahmood Shaukat, Executive Director Punjab Institute of Neurosciences Prof Asif Bashir and Prof Waris Farooqa also attended the ceremony.

Vice chancellors, principals and senior faculty members of various medical, dental and nursing institutions were also present. Prof Nadia Naseem administered the professional oath to the successful graduates.

Addressing the ceremony, Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique congratulated the graduates and their families, saying it was a pleasure to attend the fourth convocation of UHS and celebrate the hard work, dedication and achievements of the students.

He said UHS, established in 2002, had emerged as a leading public-sector health sciences university, providing academic leadership to more than 200 affiliated institutions and serving over 150,000 students in medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health sciences and postgraduate education.

The minister said the university had established a strong reputation for academic excellence through modern teaching methods, curriculum reforms, quality research, faculty development and a modern examination system. These initiatives, he added, were helping produce highly skilled doctors, specialists, researchers and teachers serving in Pakistan and various countries around the world.

He said it was encouraging to see UHS promoting innovation, strengthening research and expanding international collaboration, adding that these efforts would contribute to improving medical education, healthcare services and patient care across the country.

The minister said 1,435 graduates were being awarded degrees this year in PhD, MPhil, MS, MD, MDS, master’s and other postgraduate programmes, while medals were also being awarded to students who had demonstrated outstanding academic performance.

He said the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was introducing innovative reforms to strengthen the healthcare system. Several major initiatives had been launched, including children’s heart surgery, kidney and liver transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, cochlear implants, corneal transplantation, cancer treatment, adult cardiac surgery and stroke management programmes.

Free dialysis facilities were also being provided across Punjab, while neurology services for children and adults were being expanded in government and private hospitals, he added.

The minister said the government was also establishing new children’s hospitals, cardiology institutes, burn units and medical colleges to improve healthcare facilities in southern, central and northern Punjab.

He said special attention was being given to the nursing sector, with nursing education now being offered in two shifts and around 6,000 students being admitted annually in morning and evening programmes.

Congratulating the graduates, the minister said their postgraduate degrees were not merely an honour but also carried a great responsibility.

“As you embark on the next chapter of your journey, always remember the values of honesty, compassion and service to humanity,” he said, urging the graduates to continue learning, uphold the highest ethical standards and always put their patients first.

He also appreciated the efforts of UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ahsan Waheed Rathore, faculty members, supervisors, examiners and the university administration for maintaining high standards in medical education and research.

UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ahsan Waheed Rathore said the university had made significant progress in postgraduate education, research, curriculum reforms and digitalization. He said UHS was playing an active role in promoting medical education and modern postgraduate training in the country.

Lahore: The provincial capital experienced rainfall for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, bringing pleasant weather and a noticeable drop in temperature. The Local Meteorological Office has forecast more rain over the next 24 hours.

According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the highest rainfall of 84 mm was recorded in Nishtar Town. Other recorded rainfall included 36 mm at Airport, 34.4 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 reported 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 Allahu 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.