Day: July 22, 2026

Lahore: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA), during a large-scale operation conducted on Tuesday, sealed 147 properties in various housing schemes and LDA-controlled areas.

Acting on the directives of Director General Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing has intensified its crackdown against illegally commercialized properties and commercial fee defaulters across the provincial capital.

According to an LDA spokesperson, enforcement teams carried out operations in GT Road, Gujjarpura, Shadman, Faisal Town, and Sabzazar. A total of 89 properties in GT Road, Gujjarpura, and Shadman were sealed for unauthorized commercial use.

In a separate recovery operation against commercial fee defaulters, 25 properties were sealed in Faisal Town, while 33 properties were sealed in Sabzazar.

The sealed properties included private schools, clinics, pharmacies, grocery stores, caf©s, restaurants, food outlets, electrical stores, bakeries, beauty salons, auto workshops, shops, offices, and other commercial establishments. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Chief Town Planner-I Asad Al-Zaman.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday directed all commissioners, deputy commissioners and relevant departments to remain in the field and ensure the swift drainage of rainwater across the province, saying even a moment of inconvenience to the public was unacceptable.

Following her directives, WASA teams, district administrations and other civic agencies remained fully active, completing drainage operations within hours in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin and other rain-affected districts.

According to official reports, Gujranwala received 250 millimeters of rainfall, while rainwater was removed from affected areas through coordinated efforts of civic agencies and district authorities.

The CM ordered continuous monitoring of the rain situation across Punjab through Safe City cameras and directed officials to maintain a strong field presence until all low-lying areas were cleared.

In Sialkot, rainwater was removed from Allama Iqbal Road, Kotli Behram, Commissioner Road, Khadim Ali Road, Tehsil Bazaar, Railway Road, Raghpura Road and Paris Road, restoring traffic flow and normal public movement. De-watering machinery and operational staff remained deployed until drainage work was completed.

Expressing satisfaction over the timely response of the Sialkot administration, the chief minister said drainage operations should begin immediately after rainfall and be completed in the shortest possible time.

She said that protecting citizens from inconvenience remained the government’s top priority and directed authorities to continue monitoring all districts, particularly low-lying areas, to ensure no rainwater remained accumulated after the monsoon showers.

Lahore: Punjab National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has busted a notorious international cyber fraud syndicate involved in large-scale online financial scams targeting citizens in Pakistan and several other countries, arresting two of its key members.

According to the NCCIA spokesperson on Tuesday , the operation exposed a highly organised cybercrime network that used sophisticated phishing infrastructure, fake digital platforms and advanced cyber technologies to steal victims’ banking credentials, social media accounts, one-time passwords (OTPs) and other sensitive digital information before carrying out financial fraud worth millions of rupees.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspects had developed an advanced phishing infrastructure known as Tycoon2FA, through which they created more than 96,000 phishing applications, fake accounts and fraudulent links. The infrastructure was allegedly supplied to cybercriminals operating in Pakistan as well as North America, South America, Central Asia and Europe to facilitate large-scale online financial fraud.

Investigators found that the suspects operated the network through Telegram and other encrypted online platforms. They allegedly designed fake banking websites and web pages resembling those of well-known companies and government institutions before sending phishing links to victims via email, SMS and WhatsApp. Once victims entered their usernames, passwords, banking details or OTPs, the information was instantly transmitted to the suspects, enabling them to withdraw funds or gain complete control of the victims’ bank accounts.

The investigation further revealed that the suspects had allegedly invested proceeds of the cyber fraud in high-value properties in Islamabad. The NCCIA said the properties had been identified and legal proceedings were underway to confiscate them and transfer them into state custody as proceeds of crime.

During coordinated raids in Islamabad, Faisalabad and Sialkot, the agency seized computers, laptops, servers, mobile phones, digital storage devices and other forensic evidence. The spokesperson said the two arrested suspects played a central role in developing and operating the phishing infrastructure, while four other key suspects had fled abroad.

The NCCIA said the process of obtaining Interpol Red Notices against the absconding suspects had been initiated, while liaison with law enforcement agencies in the relevant countries was continuing to secure their arrest.

Lahore: Punjab Secretary for Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid on Tuesday said the department had completed the digitisation of more than 100,000 official files as part of its digital governance reforms, while directing authorities to strengthen flood preparedness and ensure the safety of wheat stocks during the monsoon season.

She was chairing a meeting to review progress on e-filing, pre-flood arrangements and wheat storage security. Additional Secretary (Admin) Farwa Amir, Additional Director General Punjab Food Authority Rao Parvez Akhtar, Additional Director General Consumer Protection Azoba Azeem and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Dr Kiran Khurshid said the Directorate General Enforcement had achieved 100 per cent data archiving, while the Punjab Institute of Agriculture Market had reached Level-4 digitalization. She directed heads of all subordinate departments to complete scanning and digitisation of the remaining records within the next two weeks.

Reviewing monsoon preparedness, the secretary instructed officials to take all necessary preventive measures to protect wheat stocks in flood-prone areas and ensure timely safeguards against possible flood damage. She directed field staff to remain fully alert and active throughout the monsoon season.

She also ordered authorities to ensure the uninterrupted provision of essential public facilities in agricultural markets across Punjab to facilitate traders and the public during the rainy season.

Lahore: Pakistan’s value-added apparel industry has achieved a historic milestone as former Chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) and Sialkot’s leading exporter Ijaz A. Khokhar has been elected Vice President of International Apparel Federation (IAF).

He is the first Pakistani apparel manufacturer and exporter to hold this prestigious global office in the federation’s history, making the achievement a proud moment not only for Sialkot but for the entire country, PRGMEA spokesman told media here Tuesday.

IAF President Stefano Festa Marzotto announced Khokhar’s nomination in recognition of his long association with the federation and his outstanding services to the global apparel industry. The nomination was unanimously endorsed and approved by the General Assembly. Marzotto praised Khokhar’s valuable contributions to the promotion and development of the apparel sector.

The appointment has been widely welcomed by PRGMEA, textile and apparel associations, chambers of commerce and the wider business community. They described it as a proud moment for Pakistan and expressed confidence that Khokhar’s extensive international experience and deep understanding of global supply chains will strengthen Pakistan’s voice in the international apparel community, open new opportunities for trade, investment, market access and global collaboration, and further enhance the country’s image as a competitive and reliable sourcing destination. They also extended their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for a successful tenure.

Founded in 1972, the International Apparel Federation (IAF) is the world’s leading and only global federation representing apparel manufacturers, national associations and allied industries. Its membership spans more than 40 countries, representing over 100,000 companies employing more than 20 million people. The federation promotes international cooperation, sustainable supply chains, innovation, technology, global trade, knowledge sharing and harmonization of industry standards, while serving as the leading global voice of the apparel industry.

Khokhar has maintained a long association with the IAF, previously serving as an Executive Board Member and Regional President. In these roles, he actively promoted stronger cooperation among apparel-producing countries and advocated greater representation for developing economies in global trade.

A pioneer of Pakistan’s martial arts garments industry, Khokhar heads Ashraf Industries (Pvt.) Ltd., Sialkot, a globally recognized manufacturer and exporter of martial arts uniforms since 1969. Under his leadership, the company has earned an outstanding international reputation for quality and innovation while successfully competing in global markets.

Throughout his distinguished career, Khokhar has served multiple terms as Chairman of PRGMEA and currently serves as its Chief Coordinator. He is also a founding Executive Board Member of the Asian Apparel Federation (AAF), a lifetime member of FPCCI and SAARC Chamber, and a Trustee of Sialkot Dry Port Trust. He has consistently promoted regional cooperation among Asia’s major apparel-producing countries to strengthen Pakistan’s apparel exports.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Pakistan’s economy and exports, Khokhar was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors, in 2007. He also received the Businessman of the Year Gold Medal from the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Under his leadership, Ashraf Industries won the FPCCI Export Trophy for 25 consecutive years (1983-2008) as one of Pakistan’s leading exporters of martial arts uniforms.

Business leaders said Khokhar’s election reflects not only his decades of visionary leadership and invaluable contribution to Pakistan’s apparel sector but also the growing international recognition of the country’s value-added textile industry, particularly Sialkot’s SME sector. They expressed optimism that his new global role will strengthen Pakistan’s presence in international policy discussions, promote sustainable growth, encourage investment and create greater opportunities for the country’s apparel exporters in global markets.