Day: July 24, 2026

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CPO listens to public complaints in open court


Faisalabad: CPO Tanveer Hussain listened to people problems related to the police department here on Thursday. During ‘khuli kutchery’ held at his office, he issued instructions to the officers concerned to redress the outstanding issues of the people timely.



On this occasion, the CPO said that providing prompt and effective justice to the people at their doorstep is their top priority. The aim of the open court is to resolve the complaints of the citizens and their problems on a priority basis.



He said that service delivery in police stations is being ensured, as per the vision of the CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif.



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Commissioner reviews progress of Solid Waste Management Project


Bahawalpur: Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia chaired a review meeting on the DREAMS (Developing Resilient Environment and Advanced Municipal Services) project of the Bahawalpur Waste Management Company (BWMC), where officials reviewed the project’s progress, waste segregation initiatives, door-to-door public awareness campaign and other modern solid waste management measures.



During the meeting, Chief Executive Officer, Bahawalpur Waste Management Company, Muhammad Naeem Akhtar briefed participants on the project, stating that, with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Punjab, the DREAMS project will establish a modern scientific landfill site, a waste segregation plant, recycling facilities, biogas and compost production units, and other advanced waste processing infrastructure. He informed the meeting that, under the ongoing door-to-door awareness campaign, residents are being encouraged to separate dry and wet waste at the household level. Two-bin waste collection systems are also being introduced in selected areas to promote proper waste segregation and recycling.



Addressing the meeting, Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia described the DREAMS project as a major step towards establishing a modern, sustainable and environmentally friendly solid waste management system in Bahawalpur. He said the initiative would significantly improve sanitation standards, strengthen environmental protection efforts and promote recycling across the city. The Commissioner assured the district administration’s full support for the timely implementation of the project and directed the concerned authorities to establish dedicated awareness teams in schools, colleges and universities to educate the younger generation about cleanliness, waste segregation, recycling and environmental responsibility. He further instructed officials to introduce “City Codes” as part of the city’s cleanliness campaign to encourage responsible civic behavior and enhance public participation in maintaining a clean and sustainable urban environment.



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High landslide risk in Murree, admin steps up monitoring, issues safety alert for residents, tourists


Rawalpindi: In response to heavy monsoon rains and heightening landslide risks across hilly terrains, the Murree administration on Thursday tightened precautionary protocols and intensified vigilance across vulnerable zones.



According to details, Assistant Commissioner Murree Captain (Retd) Arshad Iqbal, along with District Disaster Management Coordinator Haroon Zahoor, conducted an inspection of landslide-prone locations and key road networks.



Reviewing steep slopes and dangerous sections exposed to mudslides and falling stones, , the assistant commissioner instructed line departments to maintain round-the-clock monitoring, ensure uninterrupted drainage flow, and keep heavy machinery and relief personnel fully alert for immediate emergency response.



Speaking to local residents and visitors, Captain (Retd) Arshad Iqbal emphasized that safeguarding human lives remains the administration’s top priority. He urged tourists and commuters to avoid unnecessary travel along mountain highways during heavy downpours, cautioning against stopping, parking vehicles, or taking photographs near unstable slopes where sudden earth slips can occur.



He reaffirmed that the district administration, Rescue 1122, police and relevant agencies are operating in close coordination via a 24/7 central monitoring framework to respond swiftly to any untoward incident.



The district administration advised the public to follow official weather advisories, disregard unverified rumors, and report any signs of land movement, rockfalls, or road blockages immediately. In case of emergency, citizens can contact the District Control Room or Rescue 1122.



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FTO facilitation office to be set up at LCCI


Lahore: Wafaqi Tax Mohtasib (Federal Tax Ombudsman-FTO) will establish a facilitation office at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).



This was agreed in a meeting between FTO Punjab’s Director General Riaz Hameed Chaudhry and LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol here at Lahore Chamber on Thursday. The FTO Director Tahir Zameer accompanied the Director General during the meeting.



The DG assured complete support to the business community in addressing issues related to taxation and other government departments.



Matters pertaining to taxpayers’ facilitation, complaint resolution mechanisms and stronger institutional coordination between the two organizations came under discussion.



LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol appreciated the role of the Wafaqi Tax Mohtasib and thanked the Director General for assuring his full cooperation. He said that the business community often faces procedural and administrative hurdles that require timely intervention and resolution. He added that close coordination between LCCI and the Wafaqi Tax Mohtasib would help facilitate businesses and strengthen confidence among taxpayers.



The LCCI President said that the Chamber remains committed to safeguarding the interests of the business community and providing a platform for addressing issues affecting trade, industry and investment. He expressed the hope that stronger collaboration between the two institutions would lead to more efficient handling of complaints and improved service delivery.



Speaking on the occasion, Riaz Hameed Chaudhry said that the Office of the Wafaqi Tax Mohtasib is committed to providing prompt and effective relief to taxpayers facing difficulties due to maladministration or procedural delays. He said that the institution serves as an important forum for resolving complaints and ensuring that taxpayers receive fair treatment from public-sector organizations.



The Director General emphasized that the business community plays a vital role in economic growth, investment generation and employment creation. Therefore, every effort should be made to facilitate businessmen and industrialists and address their legitimate concerns through efficient and transparent mechanisms.



He said that the Wafaqi Tax Mohtasib has established an effective system for handling complaints and ensuring their timely disposal. He added that taxpayers can submit complaints through multiple channels, including online platforms, while regional offices are also working to provide quick and accessible services to complainants across the country.



A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to establish a Wafaqi Tax Mohtasib Facilitation Office at the premises of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The facility will provide guidance to taxpayers, assist them in filing complaints and help ensure quicker resolution of their grievances through direct liaison with the relevant authorities.



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PU VC calls for training grassroots leaders through modern NGO management


Lahore: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali has stated that academic institutions must play an active role in community development by equipping grassroots leaders and social workers with modern managerial and leadership skills.



He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the second batch of the Certificate Course on ‘NGO Management and Leadership’, organised by the PU Department of Social Work in collaboration with the Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department, Punjab and Community World Service Asia (CWSA).



The ceremony was attended by Chairperson Department of Social Work Dr. Tahira Jabeen, Prof. Dr. Uzma Ashiq, Dr. Aliya Khalid, Dr. Muhammad Arshad Abbasi, faculty members, academicians, government officials, development sector professionals, and representatives of civil society organizations. In his address, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali commended the tri-partite initiative, describing it as a model of effective collaboration among academia, government, and the development sector.



He said such partnerships are essential for producing competent professionals capable of addressing contemporary social challenges and strengthening community institutions.



Dr. Tahira Jabeen highlighted the achievements of the programme’s first batch and expressed confidence that the second cohort would further enhance the technical, managerial, and strategic capacities of NGO professionals, enabling them to respond more effectively to emerging socio-economic challenges.



A representative of Community World Service Asia underscored the pivotal role of civil society organizations in promoting grassroots development across Pakistan.



Highlighting the international best practices incorporated into the curriculum, the representative reaffirmed CWSA’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, strategic leadership, and professional development within the non-profit sector.



Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department, Punjab’s representative highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting institutional partnerships aimed at advancing social development and humanitarian welfare. Prof. Dr. Uzma Ashiq presented an overview of the department’s progress and major achievements over the past three years.



She thanked the Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali for his continuous guidance, encouragement, and support, which, she said, had enabled the department to attain new milestones of academic and professional excellence.



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12 people fall ill after eating ‘poisonous’ food


Lahore: As many as 12 people fell ill after eating poisonous food in the Madhe Shah area of Kahna on Thursday. According to rescue sources, the affected people were shifted to the hospital due to food poisoning. The condition of all affected people is said to be out of danger. The victims say they suspected eating rice poisoned by a lizard, while might have fell in it during cooking.