Day: July 29, 2026

Lahore: A fire that erupted on the seventh floor of a commercial plaza in Azam Cloth Market near Chuna Mandi on Tuesday was brought under control by Rescue 1122, with no loss of life reported.

According to a spokesperson, the emergency control room received the fire call from Hamdam Plaza in Azam Cloth Market, prompting an immediate response by firefighting teams.

The fire broke out in a cloth shop located on the seventh floor of the plaza, where large quantities of fabric were stored. Rescue firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the sixth and seventh floors, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building.

A total of 20 emergency vehicles and 45 rescuers and officers participated in the firefighting operation.

The spokesperson confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. He added the fire had been extinguished successfully, while the cooling process would continue to eliminate any risk of re-ignition.

Lahore: City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) on Tuesday marked its 20th anniversary, with Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi congratulating officers and personnel on completing two decades of public service.

Addressing the ceremony, the CTO paid tribute to the sacrifices and dedication of traffic police personnel, noting that six officers had embraced martyrdom while protecting the lives and property of citizens. He added that 13 officers had been awarded Ghazi medals for displaying bravery in maintaining law and order.

Shirazi said that over the past 20 years, 97 officials had passed away, including seven senior traffic wardens, 62 traffic wardens, four head constables and 20 traffic assistants.

He said the history of CTPL was marked by countless examples of honesty, courage, and commitment, paying special tribute to Shaheed DIG Syed Ahmed Mubeen and other officers whose sacrifices had enhanced the honour and prestige of the force.

Describing Lahore Traffic Police as one of the country’s most educated, hardworking, and professional law enforcement units, the CTO said it served as the public face of Punjab Police.

He said the force, comprising more than 3, 400 officers and personnel, had efficiently performed its duties during national and international events as well as in day-to-day traffic management.

Expressing pride in leading a force of martyrs and Ghazis, Shirazi reaffirmed the department’s commitment to serving citizens with professionalism, integrity and dedication.

Lahore: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Zone has arrested six suspects, including passport and visa agents, during a crackdown against agent mafias involved in fraud and illegal overcharging of citizens.

According to a spokesperson, the operations were carried out by the Anti-Corruption Circle and Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Lahore in Nankana Sahib, Sahiwal and Sargodha districts.

The arrested suspects were identified as Arsalan, Karamat, Allah Ditta and Shehryar, who were apprehended outside the Passport Office in Nankana Sahib, while Basharat Ali and Farooq were arrested in Sahiwal and Sargodha.

The spokesperson stated that the four passport agents were allegedly charging citizens illegal additional fees for passport processing and deceiving applicants by promising expedited issuance of passports in exchange for extra payments.

During the raids, FIA teams recovered passports, tokens, bank challans, receipts, and other incriminating evidence from the suspects’ possession.

The spokesperson added that Shehryar and Farooq allegedly defrauded citizens of a total of Rs1. 19 million on the pretext of arranging overseas work visas.

Cases had been registered against the suspects and further investigations were under way.

Lahore: More than 2. 729 million citizens have availed various digital and public services from Punjab Police Khidmat Marakaz during the current year, reflecting the growing reliance on the police’s citizen service centres.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, over 1. 014 million citizens obtained General Police Verification, while more than 510, 000 were issued Police Character Certificates during the period.

The spokesperson said over 700, 000 citizens completed Tenant Registration, while more than 100, 000 obtained Medico-Legal Certificates. Under initiatives for vulnerable segments of society, more than 67, 000 individuals were provided legal and social protection.

He said 19, 612 citizens availed Vehicle Verification services, while 56, 526 registered reports of lost documents and 2, 091 registered crime reports.

The spokesperson added that more than 156, 000 citizens obtained copies of First Information Reports (FIRs), 49 reports related to violence against women were registered, over 88, 000 citizens completed Employees Registration (ROPE), and 2, 133 obtained police verification for private employment.

IGP Abdul Kareem said Punjab Police Khidmat Marakaz had become a flagship public service delivery project, providing modern and digital services to citizens round the clock.

He directed officers and officials deployed at Khidmat Marakaz, police stations and other public dealing offices to ensure courteous, professional and citizen-friendly behaviour while delivering services.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday hailed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) performance in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, thanking Allah for the party’s ‘resounding victory’ in Mirpur Division.

The CM also urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to accept the electoral verdict instead of alleging rigging.

Congratulating the people of Mirpur and Kotli, she said voters had chosen development and a better future by supporting the PML-N. She maintained that the people had endorsed the party’s vision for progress and expressed confidence that the outcome of the first phase would influence the remaining stages of the elections.

The CM congratulated PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying the electorate had endorsed the party’s message and manifesto. She also appreciated the election campaign led by Rana Sanaullah, Amir Muqam and party workers.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the PML-N had won nine of the 13 key seats in the first phase and expressed optimism that the party would also succeed in the remaining constituencies.

Criticising the PPP’s reaction to the results, she said the party should have accepted the public mandate in the spirit of democracy rather than making allegations of rigging. Recalling the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, she said the PML-N had accepted the PPP’s victory without questioning the electoral process.

Referring to Sindh, she alleged that despite remaining in power for 17 years, the PPP had failed to deliver significant improvements in infrastructure and public services. She said voters now judged political parties on their performance rather than rhetoric.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the electorate had endorsed public welfare initiatives, including the Green Tractor Scheme, Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Programme, Apna Khet initiative, employment schemes, the Kisan Card, road infrastructure projects and improved law and order. She also rejected repeated allegations of rigging, claiming that videos circulating on social media showed bags of ballot papers allegedly recovered from the homes of PPP candidates. She challenged the PPP to produce similar evidence against the PML-N.

The CM maintained that the PPP had contested the AJK elections while already in power in the territory and noted that no caretaker government was in place. She said allegations of electoral manipulation effectively amounted to questioning the credibility of the PPP’s own government in Azad Kashmir.

Urging the PPP leadership to focus on governance in Sindh, she said governments earned public support through performance and service delivery rather than criticism of political opponents.

CM Maryam Nawaz assured the people of Azad Kashmir that, if elected, the PML-N would introduce reforms on the pattern of Punjab and improve public services across the region. She also appealed to voters in the remaining phases of the AJK elections, scheduled for Aug 2 and Aug 10, to support the PML-N in the interest of development and progress.

Lahore: The Punjab Home Department on Tuesday highlighted its rehabilitation-oriented criminal justice reforms as students participating in the Punjab Probation and Parole Service Summer Internship Programme visited the department for a training session.

The delegation of 30 students from seven universities met Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan. Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, Probation and Parole Director General Shahid Iqbal, Prisons Additional Secretary Roman Burana and other senior officials attended the session.

The participants, belonging to the disciplines of psychology, sociology, social work, criminology, law and gender studies, represented Government College University Lahore, Punjab University, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Beaconhouse National University, Kinnaird College for Women University and Forman Christian College University.

Addressing the interns, Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan said the Punjab Probation and Parole Department was reducing the burden on prisons through accountability and rehabilitation. She said the Punjab government had launched the “Naya Aghaz” programme for prisoners, under which deserving inmates released from jail would be provided interest-free loans of up to Rs200, 000 to help them establish small businesses using vocational skills acquired during incarceration.

She said the internship programme reflected the department’s commitment to preparing future professionals in the field of criminal justice and rehabilitation.

Briefing the participants on prison reforms, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Burana highlighted initiatives introduced under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

IG Prisons Mian Salik Jalal said around 70, 000 inmates across Punjab prisons were undergoing rehabilitation and correctional training. He said more than 100, 000 books had been provided to prison barrack libraries, while inmates were receiving technical training in 23 different trades under the skilled prisoners programme.

He added that a prison visitation mobile application introduced for inmates’ families had already been used by over 50, 000 people.

DG Shahid Iqbal said the department was supervising the rehabilitation of around 40, 000 probationers across Punjab. He said interns were being provided practical exposure to the province’s criminal justice and community corrections system, including rehabilitation of accidental offenders and training on countering violent extremism.

During the visit, the students also toured the Provincial Intelligence Centre and the Digital Media Public Outreach Cell, where Director Public Relations Tauseef Sabih Gondal briefed them on cyber patrolling and public awareness campaigns.

Officials informed the participants that the Home Department’s Cyber Patrolling Cell had reported more than 9, 000 objectionable social media accounts to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) since the start of Muharram. The interns were also briefed on the department’s Central Control Room and Quick Action System.

As part of the internship programme, the students also visited courts, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), Rescue 1122, Central Jail Lahore and the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA).