Day: July 23, 2026

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore Muhammad Ali Ejaz on Wednesday visited Laxmi Chowk, Mozang and adjoining areas to inspect the ongoing rainwater drainage operation and review arrangements for the disposal of accumulated rainwater following monsoon showers.

During the visit, the deputy commissioner personally monitored the drainage operation being carried out by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and directed the authorities to ensure the earliest possible clearance of rainwater from all low-lying areas. He said the district administration was continuously supervising the operation to minimize public inconvenience and maintain the smooth flow of traffic on major roads across the city.

He instructed WASA officials to ensure the full deployment of available manpower, machinery and resources in the field, adding that all disposal stations and sucker machines should remain operational round the clock to expedite the drainage process.

DC Muhammad Ali Ejaz stated that the safety and convenience of citizens must remain the foremost priority during the operation, warning that any negligence or dereliction of duty in rainwater disposal would not be tolerated. He said WASA teams were actively working across Lahore to ensure the timely drainage of rainwater from roads and low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, the DC on Wednesday placed all district resources on high alert under the Rain Emergency Protocol, directing WASA and the district administration to ensure the swift drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas and major roads. He ordered Assistant Commissioners to monitor field operations, instructed WASA to keep disposal stations, dewatering pumps and heavy machinery fully operational, and urged citizens to follow safety precautions and avoid unnecessary travel during the ongoing monsoon spell.

Lahore: Punjab Police have deported 36,545 illegally residing foreign nationals, including Afghan nationals, from across the province, including Lahore, as part of the ongoing repatriation process.

A police spokesperson said on Wednesday that 504 illegally residing foreign nationals were currently being kept at various holding points before their repatriation.

He said the deported individuals included 14,614 men, 7,234 women and 14,697 children. Among them, 11,124 possessed Proof of Residence (PoR) documents, 11,137 held Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), while 14,284 were foreign nationals residing illegally.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Abdul Kareem said that security remained on high alert across the province and that the repatriation of all illegally residing foreign nationals was being carried out in line with the government’s policy.

He said Punjab Police was implementing the repatriation process in accordance with international laws while ensuring effective security arrangements throughout the province.

Lahore: Three people were injured, including a woman, after the roof of a house collapsed in the Shalimar Bagh area on Wednesday.

According to Rescue 1122, the roof was constructed with T-R girders. Upon receiving the emergency call, the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team rushed to the scene and launched a rescue operation.

The injured were provided first aid before being shifted to Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital. They were identified as 12-year-old Noor Fatima, 50-year-old Arshad Hussain and Arshad Hussain’s wife, whose condition was reported to be critical.

Rescue 1122 said that 20 rescuers, assisted by eight emergency vehicles, participated in the operation, which was later completed successfully.

Lahore: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh said on Wednesday that protecting, educating, and empowering children is fundamental to building a strong, prosperous and sustainable Pakistan.

He expressed these views at Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between FPCCI and Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Punjab, to promote child protection, welfare, education, skills development, rehabilitation, and dignified employment opportunities for vulnerable children and youth. The MoU was signed by Zaki Aijaz, FPCCI Regional Chairman and Vice President, and Sara Ahmed, CPWB Chairperson, here.

Atif Ikram Sheikh stated that business community’s responsibility extends beyond economic growth to making meaningful contributions towards social development and nation-building. He reaffirmed FPCCI’s commitment to supporting initiatives which equip youth and underprivileged children with quality education, market-oriented skills, and sustainable employment opportunities, enabling them to become productive and responsible members of society.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Zaki Aijaz described the agreement as a significant milestone in strengthening public-private collaboration for child welfare and youth empowerment. Under this partnership, he noted, children and young people under the care of Child Protection and Welfare Bureau would have access to technical and vocational training, digital literacy programmes, internships, apprenticeships, employment opportunities, entrepreneurial development, financial literacy, career counselling, and mentorship designed to meet the demands of the modern workforce.

He stated that FPCCI would actively engage its member chambers, trade associations, and industrial enterprises to facilitate internships, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities for eligible youth. He added that both organizations would jointly organize conferences, seminars, workshops, business dialogues, awareness campaigns, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) forums to promote child rights, responsible business practices, and sustainable community development.

On this occasion, CPWB Chairperson Sara Ahmed said that partnership represents a significant step forward in creating brighter futures for orphaned, neglected, and vulnerable children. She emphasized that collaboration with private sector would help provide these children with access to quality education, practical skills, self-confidence, and dignified employment opportunities, thereby facilitating their social and economic rehabilitation and enabling them to become active contributors to society.

Lahore: Speakers at a citizens’ forum on local governance have called for restoration of constitutionally empowered and autonomous local governments (LGs), saying strong grassroots institutions are essential for strengthening democracy, improving public service delivery and increasing citizens’ participation in decision-making.

The Citizen Forum for the Restoration of Constitutional Local Governance, organised by HomeNet Pakistan in collaboration with AwazCDS-Pakistan at a local hotel, brought together lawmakers, former councillors, civil society representatives, legal experts, academics, governance practitioners, media professionals, youth leaders and development experts to discuss reforms for Pakistan’s local government system.

Participants stressed that political, administrative and financial autonomy for local governments was necessary to improve accountability, transparency and public participation, while enabling institutions to deliver essential services and support sustainable development.

Delivering the keynote address, Ume Laila Azhar said inclusive and representative LGs were critical for ensuring the participation of women, home-based workers, marginalised communities and other citizens in governance processes. She said stronger local democracy could improve public services, promote social inclusion and contribute to sustainable community development.

Members of the Punjab Assembly Rukhsana Kausar and Sumbal Malik Hussain called for greater authority and resources for elected councillors so they could effectively address community-level challenges. They supported measures aimed at strengthening the role of union councils and other local institutions.

Former councillor Rukhsana Kausar said empowered local representatives were better positioned to resolve everyday civic issues such as sanitation, sewerage and gas supply. She added that women representatives often maintained close links with communities and had a better understanding of residents’ concerns.

Other speakers, including Farzana Abbas, Anwar Hussain, Ishtiaq Chaudhry, Arshid Mahmood Mirza, Salman Abid and Humera Aslam, called for decentralisation, evidence-based policymaking, regular local government elections and the transfer of political, administrative and financial powers to grassroots institutions.

They also stressed the need for adequate financial resources for local governments, saying that without proper funding, elected institutions would remain unable to provide effective public services.

The forum also launched the Citizen Forum, a multi-stakeholder platform that will work with parliamentarians, policymakers, political parties, civil society organisations, academia, media and development partners through research, policy dialogue and advocacy for constitutional, inclusive and accountable local governance.

Participants called for greater representation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, workers, farmers, religious minorities and transgender persons in local government institutions. They said recommendations from the consultation would be shared with government bodies and lawmakers to support reforms for stronger and more effective local governance across Pakistan.

Lahore: Punjab Police constable embraced martyrdom after coming under fire from suspected criminals during an intelligence-based operation in Sheikhupura, the Punjab Police spokesperson said on Wednesday.

According to the spokesperson, Constable Sagar Nishan of the Crime Control Department (CCD) Sheikhupura was conducting reconnaissance based on intelligence when members of a dangerous criminal gang opened fire, resulting in his martyrdom.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem paid tribute to the fallen constable, describing the martyrs of Punjab Police as the pride of the force whose sacrifices would always be remembered.

He said Punjab Police stood firmly with the martyr’s family during the difficult time and would ensure their complete welfare and well-being.

The IGP directed the relevant officers to extend all possible support to the bereaved family, adding that the welfare of families of police martyrs remained among the top priorities of the police. He said police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty were heroes of the nation and their services would always be honoured.