Day: July 27, 2026

Lahore: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President Iftikhar Ali Malik on Sunday called for fully harnessing Balochistan’s vast renewable energy resources to produce affordable electricity, ensure sustainable industrial growth and help overcome Pakistan’s persistent energy crisis.

In a statement, he said Balochistan has an estimated renewable energy potential of 1. 2 million MW of solar power and 20, 000 MW of wind energy, particularly in the Chagai and Makran regions.

He called for greater public-private investment, improved security, policy stability and easier access to financing to attract local and foreign investors. Malik said developing the province’s clean energy sector would support sustainable industrial growth, lower energy costs and create opportunities under international climate financing mechanisms.

Lahore: A two-member delegation of the US Congress visited the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and was briefed on advanced security systems, artificial intelligence-based technologies and emergency response mechanisms.

The delegation, comprising US Congress members Ryan Zinke and Michael Baumgartner, was received by Punjab Safe Cities Authority Managing Director Muhammad Ahsan Younis and Chief Operating Officer Mustansar Firoz.

During the visit, the delegation inspected various sections of the authority and was briefed on the latest artificial intelligence upgrades, smart surveillance systems, integrated command and control centre and advanced security modules introduced by the institution.

The delegation was also given a detailed briefing on the features of Emergency Helpline 15 and the rapid response mechanism. The visiting members showed particular interest in the Women Safety App, Virtual Women Police Station, Virtual Centre for Child Safety and Traffic Management System.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority presented a commemorative shield to the US congressional delegation.

Senior officers of the authority and representatives of relevant institutions were also present on the occasion.

Lahore: A 15-year-old boy drowned in accumulated rainwater in the Khaliq Nagar area of Yohanabad on Sunday, Rescue 1122 said.

According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson, the boy was bathing in rainwater when he drowned. On receiving the emergency call, a rescue team, including divers, rushed to the scene and retrieved him from the water.

The victim was initially handed over to his family in critical condition. However, Rescue 1122 later confirmed that he succumbed to the incident. The deceased was identified as Asif, son of Rafiq, aged 15.

The spokesperson urged parents to keep children away from accumulated rainwater during the ongoing monsoon season to prevent such tragedies.

Lahore: Gawalmandi police uncovered an illegal gutka manufacturing factory and arrested four suspects involved in its operation.

The team raided and detained the accused while police recovered four drums filled with gutka, 100 prepared packets, 200 packets of betel nuts, five kilograms of liquid, a gutka-making machine and other related items.

A case was registered against the accused, and further legal proceedings were underway.

Lahore: The Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra) on Sunday hosted a delegation of more than 150 young participants from Balochistan as part of efforts to promote national cohesion and strengthen inter-provincial harmony through art and culture.

The delegation was received by Deputy Director Administration Syed Umair Hassan and other Alhamra officials on the directions of Executive Director Muhammad Nawaz Gondal.

The programme commenced with an instrumental presentation of the national anthem, followed by a documentary showcasing Alhamra’s contributions to arts education, cultural preservation and promotion of creative excellence.

The participants witnessed musical performances featuring flute, guitar, folk melodies and patriotic songs presented by renowned artists, including Naushad Khan, Zohaib Khan, Abdul Wahab, Sajjad Tariq, Ustad Chand Khan and Abdul Rauf. The event was hosted by Naveen Rooma, In-charge of the Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts.

The young visitors from Balochistan actively participated in the celebrations, appreciating the performances and joining traditional dances, reflecting the spirit of national unity and cultural diversity.

Members of the delegation lauded Alhamra’s hospitality, arrangements and cultural initiatives, describing the institution as a symbol of Pakistan’s rich cultural identity. They said the visit would remain a memorable experience.

Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director Muhammad Nawaz Gondal said culture had the power to bring communities closer and promote mutual understanding. He said engaging youth through performing arts helped foster unity, creativity and respect while strengthening a shared national identity.

He added that Alhamra would continue to provide a platform for cultural exchange and national integration by welcoming young people from across Pakistan.

Lahore: Secretary Housing Punjab Noor-ul-Amin Mengal on Sunday visited the Laxmi Chowk underground water storage tank site to review rainwater drainage arrangements amid ongoing rainfall in the provincial capital.

On the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the secretary remained present in the field and inspected the measures taken by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore for effective drainage of rainwater.

During the visit, Noor-ul-Amin Mengal reviewed WASA’s drainage arrangements and sought a detailed briefing from Managing Director WASA Ghufran Ahmed regarding the performance of the 18 water storage tanks established across the city.

MD WASA Ghufran Ahmed informed the secretary that all operational water storage tanks were functioning efficiently, while the under-construction tanks were also storing rainwater according to their capacity. The secretary also inspected the progress and performance of an under-construction storage tank.

The secretary also received feedback from citizens present at the site regarding WASA’s performance. The residents said that the situation had improved significantly compared with previous years and that drainage arrangements were more effective.

Noor-ul-Amin Mengal said underground water storage tank projects were playing an important role in reducing water accumulation in low-lying areas. He said that in the past, several feet of water accumulation on roads and streets after rainfall was a common issue, but smart engineering solutions were now producing positive results.