Man drowns in flooded basement of house in DHA Lahore


Lahore: A 53-year-old man drowned in the flooded basement of a house in DHA Phase V, Lahore, on Friday, Rescue 1122 officials said. According to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson, the emergency control room received a call reporting that a man had drowned in the basement of a house near House No. 194, where nearly 10 feet of water had accumulated.



The caller informed rescuers that the victim was using a water pump to drain the flooded basement when he drowned. A Rescue 1122 diving team recovered the body from the water after a search operation. The deceased was identified as Malik Awais, son of Malik Anees, aged 53.



The body was shifted to IMC Hospital for legal formalities. he search and rescue operation involved 20 rescuers and six emergency vehicles. The spokesperson said the operation was completed successfully.



Dumper gets stuck after rain-damaged road caves in near Ittehad Town


Lahore: A loaded dumper met an accident after a rain-damaged road caved in near Gate No. 1 of Ittehad Town on the road from Qazalbash Chowk, disrupting traffic in the area on Friday. According to a Lahore Traffic Police spokesperson, the dumper, carrying crushed stone, struck the road divider after a section of the road collapsed due to heavy rainfall.



The impact burst both front tyres of the vehicle, leaving it stranded in the sunken portion of the road. On the directions of Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi, traffic police immediately cordoned off the affected area to ensure public safety and deployed additional personnel to regulate traffic and maintain smooth vehicular flow.



The spokesperson said the relevant departments had been informed to undertake urgent repair of the damaged road and remove the stranded dumper at the earliest.



The Lahore Traffic Police advised motorists to exercise caution while travelling during the ongoing rains, avoid unnecessary journeys through affected areas and follow traffic police instructions to ensure their safety.



PSPA meeting approves procedure for appointments, financial matters


Lahore: A Punjab Spatial Planning Authority Board of Directors meeting, chaired by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique, approved the procedure for appointments and financial matters of the authority.



Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Director General PSPA Abdullah Nayyer and other members also attended the meeting. On this occasion, the administrative affairs of PSPA were considered.



Provincial Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique directed PSPA to continue taking steps to achieve the goals and said that the scope of monitoring commercial construction activities will be gradually expanded. He said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif wants to promote construction culture in Punjab according to master planning. PSPA’s AI system is being trained with the help of satellites. “An online system for approving housing schemes has been introduced from the Planning Support System”, he added. Zeeshan Rafique said that the establishment of PSPA is an important step for the protection of green areas. He said that the Spatial Planning Authority will be provided with the required resources.



Punjab introduces eTransit Punjab App and T-Cash Card


Lahore: Under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Government of Punjab has launched the eTransit Punjab App and T-Cash Card to provide citizens with a modern, secure, and cashless public transportation experience, further advancing the province’s digital transformation agenda.



Developed jointly by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) the Transport Department, and the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA), the electronic fare collection system enables commuters to travel quickly, conveniently, and securely without the need for cash. By using the T-Cash Card or the eTransit Punjab mobile application, passengers can enjoy a seamless travel experience across public transport services.



The eTransit Punjab App and T-Cash Card allow commuters to access Metro Bus and Electric Bus services through a single digital platform. The system eliminates the need for cash payments and long queues for purchasing travel tokens, making fare collection faster, more efficient, and more convenient for passengers while enhancing the overall public transport experience.



In this regard, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated, ‘The launch of the eTransit Punjab App and T-Cash Card marks a significant milestone in promoting digital transportation across Punjab. Our goal is to provide citizens with a secure, convenient, and modern travel experience through the use of technology. PITB remains committed to introducing innovative digital solutions that make public services more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric.’



He further added, ‘This initiative will not only simplify the daily commute for thousands of citizens but will also contribute to the promotion of digital payments, improved service delivery, and the development of smart governance across the province. By embracing digital technologies, we are building a more connected, efficient, and future-ready public transport ecosystem.’



Citizens can download the eTransit Punjab App free of charge from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Information regarding the T-Cash Card, its usage, and other service details is available at www.etransit.punjab.gov.pk



Security high alert across Punjab on Friday, instructions issued by IG Punjab


Lahore: On the occasion of Friday, IG Punjab Abdul Karim issued orders to further tighten security across the province including Lahore.



IG Punjab directed all RPOs, CPOs, DPOs and related officers to ensure foolproof security arrangements at mosques, Imambargahs, shrines, markets, sensitive installations and other important places.



IG Punjab directed that police patrolling be increased around mosques, Imambargahs, business centers, important highways and public places, while personnel posted at inter-provincial border police posts should remain on full alert and keep a close watch on every suspicious activity.



Abdul Karim said that special attention should be paid to the movement of Fitna-ul-Kharij, Fitna-ul-Hindustan and other anti-national and mischievous elements. He also issued instructions to make comprehensive checking of suspicious vehicles, people and goods on internal and external routes more effective.



IG Punjab ordered to continue search, sweep and combing operations around sensitive places without interruption and said that no negligence or lapse in security will be tolerated.



He further directed that all senior police officers including DPOs should be present in the field, monitor security arrangements and ensure all necessary measures to protect the lives and property of the people.



Court rejects request for jail trial of PTI activists Sanam Javed, Falak Javed


Lahore: A sessions court on Friday rejected a request filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) seeking the jail trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists, Sanam Javed and Falak Javed, in a case pertaining to alleged anti-state tweets.



The court directed the NCCIA to approach the home department for the purpose. Additional District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Siddiqui heard the NCCIA’s application.



Falak Javed was produced before the court for attendance, while the NCCIA has already submitted the challan (charge sheet) in the case. The court adjourned further proceedings in the main case until September 10.