Day: July 28, 2026

Lahore: Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran on Monday directed police officers to intensify action against crime, illegal Afghan nationals, drug peddlers and usurers while ensuring strict enforcement of the Tenancy Act across the provincial capital.

The directives were issued during a crime control review meeting of the Cantonment Division, attended by SP Security, SP Cantt circle officers and all station house officers (SHOs).

The DIG ordered comprehensive verification of illegally residing Afghan nationals and stressed strict implementation of the Tenancy Act to strengthen security measures.

He appreciated the performance of the SHOs of Baghbanpura and Harbanspura police stations for their effective policing, while assigning the SHO Factory Area the task of bringing motorcycle theft incidents under control.

DIG Faisal instructed officers to focus on crime reduction and warned that illegal detention of suspects would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

He also directed police to launch a vigorous crackdown against the public display of weapons, drug traffickers and loan sharks, reiterating that the Lahore Police maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.

The DIG urged officers to serve the public with professionalism and courtesy, directing them to treat citizens respectfully and ensure prompt assistance in all situations.

Lahore: City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) on Monday launched a pilot project to rehabilitate deserving individuals involved in begging by providing vocational training, financial assistance, and employment opportunities under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Zero Begging Punjab” initiative.

The project was discussed during a meeting chaired by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi, attended by Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) Managing Director Mubeen Elahi and Alkhidmat Foundation Project Director Muhammad Sinan. The participants agreed on a joint strategy to rehabilitate deserving families involved in begging through skill development and self-employment opportunities.

Under the pilot project, Alkhidmat Foundation will initially identify 10 deserving families, while PSIC will provide soft loans of up to Rs500, 000 to each selected beneficiary to help them establish small businesses and earn a respectable livelihood.

The meeting also decided to establish “Jhuggi Schools” in slum areas of Lahore to promote education and rehabilitation of children. Additionally, deserving women, children, and transgender persons will be provided vocational training in fields such as beauty courses, tailoring, and embroidery in collaboration with welfare organizations to improve their employment prospects.

Speaking on the occasion, CTO Abdul Raheem Shirazi said Alkhidmat Foundation volunteers would assist CTPL in mapping, profiling, and research on beggars. He added that a coordinated strategy would also be adopted to identify organized begging networks and their handlers.

He said strict legal action would be taken against human traffickers and those involved in organized professional begging networks under relevant anti-human trafficking laws and Punjab vagrancy laws.

The CTO said the priority was to support deserving individuals rather than punish them, adding that those forced into begging due to poverty would be assisted through vocational training, employment opportunities, and measures aimed at promoting self-reliance. However, professional beggars exploiting the system would continue to face legal action.

PSIC MD Mubeen Elahi said the initiative would not only help curb organized begging but also contribute to the social and economic rehabilitation of deserving families.

The CTO said all relevant government departments, welfare organizations, and the private sector were being engaged to develop a sustainable mechanism for implementing the chief minister’s vision of a “Zero Begging Punjab” by providing dignified livelihood opportunities to deserving people.

He added that CTPL had taken action against more than 3, 500 beggars during the current year and was now complementing enforcement measures with rehabilitation, vocational training, and employment support to achieve a long-term solution to the issue.

Lahore: Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday visited the provincial capital to offer his heartfelt condolences to Syed Almdar Hussain Shah, President of the New York Chamber of Small Business Corporation, USA, and Syed Amjad Hussain Shah, a distinguished Overseas Pakistani-American, on the sad demise of their beloved mother.

According to a press release issued here on Monday, the Chairman Senate expressed profound sorrow over the bereavement and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and bless the bereaved family with patience and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Among those present on the occasion were Shehzad Malik, Amjad Javed Saleemi, Syed Musa Kazim Bukhari,

Dr. Rafi Gilani, Chaudhry Nisar, Naheed Baig Advocate, Safdar Ali, Hassan Shehzad Malik, Motasim Malik, Dr. Hammad Khan, and Shehla Kalachi.

On the occasion, Syed Almdar Hussain Shah, President of the New York Chamber of Small Business Corporation, USA, expressed his sincere gratitude to Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani for personally visiting the family and extending his condolences and prayers during this difficult time.

Lahore: Punjab Police have provided a house worth Rs13. 5 million to the family of Shaheed Constable Muhammad Rafiq as part of its ongoing welfare programme for the families of police martyrs.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, the house was purchased in Garhi Sultan Shah area of Rajanpur in accordance with the preference of the martyr’s family, while the government of Punjab released the required funds for the purchase.

The spokesperson said Constable Muhammad Rafiq embraced martyrdom in 2024 after coming under fire from dacoits while performing his official duties in the Katcha area. He is survived by his widow, seven daughters and one son.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem paid tribute to the sacrifice of Shaheed Constable Muhammad Rafiq, and said he laid down his life in the line of duty without caring for his own safety.

The IGP said Punjab Police would never forget the supreme sacrifices rendered by its brave personnel, adding that the force remained committed to the welfare and well-being of the families of its martyrs.

He said Punjab Police were the custodian of the legacy of more than 1, 700 martyrs and ensuring the welfare of their families would continue to remain one of its foremost priorities.

Lahore: The Punjab government on Monday appointed Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, as the Advocate General Punjab with immediate effect.

A notification to this effect was issued by the Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department on the directions of the Governor of Punjab.

According to the notification, the Governor appointed Barrister Zafarullah Khan as Advocate General Punjab in the public interest, under the terms and conditions contained in the department’s notification dated May 20, 2025.

Barrister Zafarullah Khan has replaced Muhammad Amjad Pervaiz, who was recently recommended by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan for appointment as an additional judge of the Lahore High Court.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Communication and Works (CandW) Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth on Monday directed the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to address the situation at Bhir Nullah and restore access to Pathan Colony in Ferozewala.

Chairing a meeting to review the situation here, the minister was briefed in detailon the prevailing conditions at Bhir Nullah. Officials informed the meeting that the Highways Sheikhupura team was actively engaged in relief operations, while material filling work was being carried out on a priority basis to restore access to Pathan Colony.

The minister directed the officers to further strengthen safety and precautionary measures around Bhir Nullah and remain present in the field to ensure continuous monitoring of the situation.

The meeting also directed that full support be extended to the district administration in handling the emergency.

Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth said all available resources were being utilized to tackle the situation, adding that efforts were also underway to drain accumulated rainwater and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. He said the Communication and Works Department was fully mobilized to provide safe and uninterrupted travel facilities to the public.