Day: July 30, 2026

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Communication and Works (CandW) Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth on Wednesday announced a major shift in the department’s operational approach, replacing the existing ‘Road Constructor’ model with a ‘Road Custodian’ culture to ensure the long-term maintenance and protection of road infrastructure.

Chairing a meeting on departmental reforms here, the minister said the Communication and Works (CandW) Department would now be responsible not only for constructing roads but also for their sustained upkeep. Secretary CandW Raja Jahangir Anwar, senior departmental officers and field formation officials, who joined via video link, attended the meeting.

Under the new policy, each Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and Sub Engineer will be assigned specific roads and held fully accountable for their maintenance and improvement. Their responsibilities would include immediate repair of potholes, restoration of road shoulders and regular monitoring of road conditions.

The minister directed that, in addition to departmental inspection teams, independent teams would also inspect roads and submit photographs and reports on damaged sections to ensure effective monitoring and timely action.

He said strict disciplinary action would be taken against field officers found negligent or showing poor performance, adding that protecting road infrastructure was a key priority under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

He also announced the introduction of modern technology, advanced monitoring systems and a new accountability framework to strengthen oversight of road assets.

The minister expressed confidence that the transition from a Road Constructor to a Road Custodian culture would bring a positive institutional change, ensuring both quality road construction and sustainable long-term maintenance across the province.

Lahore: The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Qamar Zaman on Wednesday paid tribute to the services of former Board Secretary Farid Iqbal at a farewell ceremony held at the Board headquarters.

Speaking on the occasion, the chairman said that Farid Iqbal had discharged his professional responsibilities with dedication, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility during his tenure. He said his valuable contributions to the institution would always be remembered and appreciated.

Qamar expressed his best wishes for Farid Iqbal’s future, praying for his continued success, good health and prosperity.

Addressing the ceremony, former secretary Farid Iqbal thanked the chairman and officers of the Board for their support and cooperation. He said serving the ETPB had been a valuable and memorable experience in his professional career.

He also appreciated the cooperation extended by the Board’s officers and staff during his tenure.

Chairman Qamar Zaman presented a commemorative shield to Farid Iqbal in recognition of his services.

Lahore: Lahore Divisional Commissioner Nauman Yousaf on Wednesday said 11 flood relief camps and 19 rescue camps had been established across the Lahore Division as authorities intensified rescue and rehabilitation efforts in flood-affected areas.

Sharing the latest situation report, he said 709 people had been evacuated to safe locations and relief camps across the division, including 636 people in Sheikhupura and 73 in Nankana Sahib. He added that no displaced persons were currently staying at relief camps in Lahore and Kasur.

The commissioner said a 250-bed field hospital had been made operational at the Muridke relief camp under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (Health) to provide medical services to affected families.

During his visit to the Muridke relief camp, Nauman Yousaf distributed food among displaced residents and later inspected inundated areas by boat. He also reviewed the district administration’s ongoing embankment strengthening operations aimed at protecting vulnerable settlements. He expressed the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of affected residents, saying rescue teams remained fully active despite damage to homes, crops and temporary settlements.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered strict legal action against those involved in rape, child abuse and corruption, directing authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against crimes targeting women and children.

Chairing a high-level meeting on law and order here, the chief minister reviewed the province’s security situation and called for a comprehensive strategy to eliminate rape, child abuse and corruption.

She was informed that the Safe City Project had been completed in all 43 districts of Punjab and would be formally inaugurated soon. The chief minister approved the installation of more than 2,000 additional Safe City cameras in Lahore and directed the expansion of the project to 98 more tehsils as well as riverine (Katcha) areas.

The meeting was told that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had established a dedicated cell to monitor blasphemy-related cases, while a Special Cyber Unit would be created to tackle cybercrime. Additional personnel were also being inducted to strengthen security and development in tribal areas.

CM Maryam Nawaz directed that mobile police stations should provide services at citizens’ doorsteps, saying that if people could not reach police stations, the police should reach them instead. She observed that the establishment of the Crime Control Department (CCD) had contributed to a significant decline in the provincial crime rate.

Declaring the protection of women and children her ‘red line’, the chief minister reiterated that no leniency would be shown towards offenders involved in crimes against vulnerable groups.

The meeting was further informed that 29,000 body-worn cameras would be provided to police personnel by the first week of September to improve transparency and accountability.

Officials also briefed the meeting that the registration of Imams had been completed and Rs10 billion had been released for more than 72,000 Imams across the province.

The CM was informed that more than 139,000 illegally residing foreign nationals had been repatriated so far. During 2026, 23,243 illegal foreign nationals had been deported, while 5,127 illegal Afghan nationals were shifted to holding centres during the first six months of the year.

The meeting was also told that documentary and biometric verification of over 1.25 million people had been completed across Punjab, while all arrangements had been finalised to ensure the transparent conduct of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).

Lahore: Fatima Memorial Hospital (FMH) observed World Hepatitis Day by organising an awareness seminar and walk to promote hepatitis prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment, with experts stressing the need for greater public awareness and timely medical intervention to combat the disease.

The event was attended by doctors, faculty members, students and hospital staff. Principal, Schools of Health Sciences, NUR-Fatima Memorial System, Prof Dr Tayyab Abbas was the chief guest. Addressing the seminar, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist Dr Raja Ikram-Ul-Haq described hepatitis as a silent but serious disease that could lead to severe liver damage if not diagnosed and treated in time.

Referring to this year’s World Hepatitis Day theme, ‘Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,’ he said around 287 million people worldwide and nearly 13.8 million people in Pakistan were living with chronic hepatitis B or C. He urged the public to undergo regular screening, seek timely medical consultation and strictly follow preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Tayyab Abbas said public awareness remained one of the most effective tools in the fight against hepatitis. He said Fatima Memorial Hospital was committed not only to providing quality healthcare services but also to promoting disease prevention through sustained public health education and awareness campaigns.

The seminar concluded with an awareness walk in which participants carried banners highlighting the importance of hepatitis prevention, early diagnosis and timely treatment.

Lahore: The Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department has digitised more than 131,000 official files, marking a major step towards paperless governance under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s e-Vision initiative. Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid told media on Wednesday that 131,821 official files had been successfully scanned and uploaded to the department’s digital record management system, significantly reducing reliance on physical documentation. She said seven of the department’s eight attached organisations had achieved Level-4 digitalization, while the Directorate General of Food had reached Level-3, with work continuing to convert its extensive backlog of legacy records.

According to the secretary, the Punjab Food Authority, Directorate General of Enforcement, PAYAM, and Punjab Sahulat Bazar Authority had completed 100 per cent digitization of records at both headquarters and field offices. To accelerate the remaining work, the Directorate General of Food has been equipped with seven additional high-speed scanners, with officials tasked to digitise 25,000 pages daily until all pending records are converted.

Dr Khurshid said major departments, including the Punjab Food Authority, PAMRA, the Directorate General of Food and Cane Commissioner, and the Punjab Sahulat Bazar Authority, had also been integrated with the e-Biz portal, enabling online processing of business-related services.

She added that the Directorate General of Food had already received its first three online applications through the portal, describing the development as an important milestone in improving transparency, efficiency and digital public service delivery in Punjab.