Day: July 23, 2026

Lahore: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle Lahore Zone on Wednesday launched a crackdown against the agent mafia operating outside the Protector of Emigrants Office in the city, resulting in the arrest of six agents.

According to a spokesperson, the team conducted a raid in the area and arrested suspects who were allegedly charging citizens illegal additional money under the pretext of obtaining Protector of Emigrants clearance. They lured applicants by promising expedited processing in exchange for unauthorized extra payments.

During the operation, FIA officials recovered important evidence from their possession.

Cases have been registered against them and further investigations was underway to identify other individuals involved in the illegal network.

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday adjourned until August 1 the hearing of a post-arrest bail petition filed by PTI activist Falak Javed in a case pertaining to an alleged attack on Islamabad police officials at Zaman Park.

ATC Judge Malik Abid Hussain heard the petition filed by Falak Javed through her counsel from jail.

During the proceedings, the prosecution sought more time to submit the case record.

The court granted police a final opportunity to present the case record and adjourned the hearing of the bail petition until August 1.

Falak Javed, who is currently in jail on judicial remand, had filed the bail petition through her lawyer, maintaining that the investigation had been completed and seeking her release on bail.

According to the FIR, Falak Javed was allegedly involved in an attack on Islamabad police officials at Zaman Park. The prosecution alleges that a petrol bomb was recovered from her possession.

The case was registered at Race Course Police Station under FIR No. 410/23. According to the police, Islamabad police officials had arrived at the residence of PTI founder to serve summons when protesters allegedly threw petrol bombs at them, injuring several police officials.

Lahore: Punjab Government has assigned responsibilities to district officers for effective monitoring of Chief Minister’s Model Village Program,here on Wednesday.

District Officer Infrastructure and Services (DO IandS) have been appointed as district coordinators in the respective districts.

In this regard,a video link meeting of DOs IandS was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique in which Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian,Special Secretary Admin Arshad Baig, Special Secretary Local Government Shahid Zaman Lak and Punjab Rural Municipal Services Company (PRMSC) Chief Executive Officer Khurram Pervez also participated.

The provincial minister,while issuing necessary instructions to DOs IandS said that Model Village was the flagship program of Chief Minister(CM),Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

He said that effective monitoring of development schemes will be possible with the formation of a monitoring mechanism at the district level.

“Sub-engineers in the concerned tehsil are being given additional charge of coordinators while PRMSC is monitoring at divisional and provincial levels”,he added.

The Minister directed the Secretary Local Government Board to hold regular follow-up meetings of DOs IandS stressing that there should be no compromise on quality and speed in any development scheme.

He said that 485 villages of 10 divisions of Punjab were being made model through master planning.

Zeeshan Rafique strictly directed that demolition of already constructed streets in the villages should be avoided. He said that the Model Village Project was progressing as per the timeline.

“There is a need to monitor the work of contractors so that it is easy to achieve the desired goals,”he concluded.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the Punjab government was committed to economic empowerment of rural women through the Free Livestock Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods and reducing poverty across the province.

On the chief minister’s directives, distribution of free livestock has commenced in the first phase for eligible rural women in 13 districts, including Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Taunsa, Bahawalnagar, Khanewal, Vehari, Lodhran, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Layyah, Kot Addu and Bahawalpur.

Under the programme, widowed and divorced rural women up to 55 years of age will be eligible to receive free livestock. Applicants must have their marital status verified by the Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA), while women who have already benefited from any government livestock scheme during the past five years will not be eligible.

To facilitate applicants, Chief Minister Facilitation Desks have been established at nearby veterinary hospitals and animal health centres. Eligible women can also submit applications online through the official portal, attrw.punjab.gov.pk.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that integrating rural women into the mainstream economy was essential to tackling poverty and ensuring inclusive development. She said the government was committed to making rural women financially independent by providing sustainable livestock support and financial assistance, enabling them to earn a dignified livelihood and improve the economic well-being of their families.

Lahore: The Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Punjab on Wednesday signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with five organisations to promote welfare, education, healthcare, digital literacy and skills development of children in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

The agreements were signed by CPWB Chairperson MPA Sarah Ahmad with representatives of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Diet by Design, Arfa Karim Foundation, Crossing Barrier and Neoventor AI. The partnerships aim to strengthen collaboration for the rehabilitation, empowerment and brighter future of children under the bureau’s care.

Sarah Ahmad said the collaboration with FPCCI would provide vocational skills training, career counselling and employment opportunities for children and young adults supported by the bureau.

She said Diet by Design would help organise programmes promoting balanced nutrition, dietary awareness and healthy lifestyles for children.

Under the partnership with the Arfa Karim Foundation, children will receive training in information technology, digital literacy, coding and other modern technological skills, while Crossing Barrier will extend support for mental health, psychological counselling, social rehabilitation and positive personality development.

She added that Neoventor AI would equip children with knowledge and practical training in artificial intelligence, innovative thinking, digital skills and other emerging technologies to prepare them for future opportunities.

Sarah Ahmad said all partner organisations had pledged to prioritise the best interests, protection, privacy and safety of children while implementing activities under the agreements.

She expressed gratitude to FPCCI Vice President and Chairman Zaki Aijaz for his efforts in facilitating the partnerships between the CPWB and private and social sector organisations.

The chairperson said the public-private collaboration would create sustainable opportunities for children’s rehabilitation, education, skills development and self-reliance, enabling them to become productive members of society.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in rain-related incidents across the province and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

She urged citizens to adopt precautionary measures during the ongoing monsoon spell and appealed to parents to prevent their children from bathing in floodwaters, canals and rain-fed streams to avoid accidents. She also called upon residents of dilapidated buildings, weak-roofed houses and unsafe structures to voluntarily evacuate to safer locations. Maryam Nawaz directed Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and other relevant authorities to closely monitor such buildings and take timely preventive measures.

The CM ordered the authorities concerned to ensure continuous monitoring of rivers, canals and flood channels, besides guaranteeing the prompt drainage of rainwater from streets, markets, roads and particularly underpasses. She further directed Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and other field officers across Punjab to remain present in the field and ensure uninterrupted traffic flow during the rains. She instructed all district administrations and relevant departments to perform their duties with vigilance and efficiency to safeguard public life and property.

Paying tribute to officials and personnel engaged in rain emergency duties, Maryam Nawaz said she saluted every officer and worker serving the people during the ongoing monsoon spell.