Day: July 28, 2026

Lahore: Police have accelerated the ongoing operations for the repatriation of illegally residing Afghans, and arrested 2, 005 Afghans so far this year. According to the Lahore Police spokesperson, 1, 918 Afghans out of the arrested persons had been sent back to Afghanistan, while 31 people had been transferred to jail after legal proceeding, and another 56 illegal Afghans had been transferred to holding centers. CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamiana said that the evacuation of all illegal residents from the provincial capital was being ensured at all costs. He directed all divisional SPs to personally supervise the evacuation process in their respective areas. The CCPO Lahore further directed that the process of repatriation of Afghan nationals whose visas had expired should be further expedited to ensure effective implementation of government policy.

Lahore: Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kheal Das Kohistani on Monday said the government would take effective measures to resolve the administrative and legal issues facing the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in line with the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He made these remarks during a visit to the ETPB headquarters, where he was briefed by Chairman Qamar-uz-Zaman and senior officials about the board’s administrative, financial and development affairs.

The minister said the ETPB was performing an important role in preserving, renovating and maintaining historic temples, gurdwaras and other religious heritage sites, besides facilitating pilgrims visiting Pakistan from around the world.

Chairman Qamar-uz-Zaman informed the minister that the absence of a fully constituted board was creating difficulties in effectively managing administrative affairs. He also highlighted financial challenges, and said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had deducted Rs2 billion in taxes from the trust’s accounts, adversely affecting the board’s annual income and financial position.

Kheal Das assured the officials that issues relating to the board’s status as a trust institution, including tax deductions and other administrative challenges, would be addressed through effective and sustainable measures to further strengthen the institution and improve services for religious minorities.

During the briefing, ETPB Secretary Nasir Mushtaq said restoration and renovation work was under way at Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh in Peshawar, Gurdwara Bhai Karam Singh in Jhelum, Gurdwara Panja Sahib and Baoli Mandir in Narowal. He added that a comprehensive master plan was also being prepared for the restoration of Sadhu Bela Temple in Sukkur. The secretary said the board had introduced modern technologies, including satellite imagery, e-office, online billing, geo-tagging, a Management Information System (MIS) and digital solutions in collaboration with SUPARCO to improve governance and service delivery.

He further said the ETPB had launched an effective campaign against land grabbers and successfully retrieved several valuable trust properties from illegal occupants.

Lahore: Punjab Home Department imposed Section 144 across the province for 60 days in view of the ongoing monsoon rains, flooding and prevailing weather conditions to protect human lives.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the restrictions prohibit bathing in accumulated rainwater on streets, roads, open areas, and other public places. Swimming in dams, rivers, canals, ponds, lakes and distributaries had also been banned.

The spokesperson said unauthorized boating in dams, rivers, canals, ponds, lakes and distributaries had also been prohibited under Section 144.

The orders were issued by the Punjab Home Secretary under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, through a formal notification.

The Home Department said recent monsoon rains had led to the accumulation of water in low-lying areas, streets and open spaces, while water levels in dams, rivers, canals, ponds and lakes had risen significantly, increasing the risk of drowning and other accidents.

The spokesperson said the restrictions had been imposed to safeguard precious human lives and prevent any untoward incidents during the monsoon season.

The provincial administration and law enforcement agencies had been directed to ensure strict implementation of the orders, while all relevant departments had been instructed to launch a public awareness campaign to inform citizens about the restrictions and encourage them to observe safety precautions.

Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi on Monday ordered disciplinary action against several traffic police officials, including the demotion of seven traffic inspectors and the dismissal of a traffic warden, over negligence, misconduct and corruption.

According to a Lahore Traffic Police spokesperson, one traffic warden was dismissed from service after an inquiry found him guilty of corruption.

The spokesperson said one traffic inspector was demoted to the rank of traffic warden for one year for negligence and lack of interest in official duties, while six traffic inspectors were demoted to the rank of traffic warden for two years for concealing facts during the departmental promotion process by submitting false affidavits.

Three traffic wardens posted at the Takamul Testing Centre were awarded the penalty of withholding annual increments for two years over negligence in performing official duties.

A senior traffic assistant was demoted to the rank of traffic assistant for misconduct after unnecessarily confronting a citizen.

Two traffic assistants were also awarded the penalty of withholding annual increments for two years over negligence in official duties and unauthorised absence, while the service of one senior traffic warden was forfeited for one year under departmental disciplinary proceedings.

The CTO directed officers to further strengthen the accountability mechanism within Lahore Traffic Police, stressing that negligence, lack of commitment to duty and corruption would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He said strict disciplinary action would continue to ensure transparency, professionalism and improved public service.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has called for greater public awareness and preventive measures to combat head and neck cancer.

In her message on World Head and Neck Cancer Day, the CM said the occasion serves as a reminder of the importance of awareness, early detection, prevention and compassion in the fight against the life-threatening disease.

The CM said tobacco use, gutka, pan, alcohol consumption and unhealthy lifestyle habits are among the leading causes of head and neck cancer, urging people to adopt healthier lifestyles and seek timely medical screening to improve treatment outcomes.

CM Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan’s first Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore is nearing completion and will serve as a beacon of hope for cancer patients from Punjab and across the country. She added the state-of-the-art institute will provide comprehensive cancer care and that no patient will be denied treatment, regardless of the stage of the disease.

The CM said the Punjab government is committed to strengthening the healthcare sector and every cancer patient deserves timely, quality treatment and the government is working to expand access to advanced cancer care facilities.

Lahore: The district administration has completed preparations to deal with a possible flood situation in the provincial capital. Deputy Commissioner Captain (Rtd) Ali Ijaz has said that there is no risk of flooding in the city at present.

According to the Deputy Commissioner Lahore, the water level in the Ravi River is currently normal and is continuously decreasing. He said that the administration is keeping a close eye on the situation and all arrangements are complete to deal with any emergency.

Ali Ijaz said that in view of the possible situation, a plan for evacuation and flood relief camps has been prepared, while 24 camps have been activated across the city to deal with urban flooding in urban areas.

He said that the relevant staff is present in the flood relief camps 24 hours a day so that immediate steps can be taken in any emergency. The deputy commissioner said that the district administration is using all resources to protect citizens and the situation is being continuously monitored.