Month: July 2026

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s measures enabled rapid drainage operations in rain-affected areas across the province despite record monsoon showers over the past four days, according to an official handout issued on Friday.

The chief minister’s initiative to establish Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) operations in 41 districts, backed by more than 1, 000 machines and operational staff, helped clear accumulated rainwater within hours instead of weeks.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Lahore received the highest rainfall at 383 millimetres during the past four days, followed by Gujranwala (328mm), Sialkot (321mm), Narowal (270mm), Murree (211mm), Mandi Bahauddin (177mm), Gujrat (144mm) and Jhelum (115mm).

The PDMA reported rainfall of 108mm in Hafizabad, 102mm in Mangla, 96mm in Chakwal, 85mm in Sheikhupura, 72mm in Okara, 66mm in Jhang, 57mm in Toba Tek Singh, 56mm in Attock, 52mm in Kasur, 47mm in Rawalpindi, 35mm in Layyah and 34mm in Sahiwal. Rain was also recorded in Faisalabad, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal, Bahawalnagar and Bhakkar.

CM Punjab directed the authorities to ensure safety measures around seasonal streams, low-lying areas, rivers and canals. She appealed to the public to avoid visiting or bathing in canals, rivers and rain-fed streams during the monsoon season and possible flood conditions.

She also instructed district administrations to monitor weak and unsafe roofs, ordered compensation for affected families, and urged citizens to stay away from buildings and houses at risk of roof collapse.

According to the report, continuous monitoring of rivers, dams and barrages is underway on the chief minister’s directions. Surveillance of all relevant cities through Safe City cameras is also continuing in view of the monsoon rains.

The handout said drainage operations were completed in the shortest possible time despite unprecedented rainfall under the chief minister’s leadership.

PDMA Director General Umar Abbas Meela said the chief minister had also directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.

Lahore: A 53-year-old man drowned in the flooded basement of a house in DHA Phase V, Lahore, on Friday, Rescue 1122 officials said. According to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson, the emergency control room received a call reporting that a man had drowned in the basement of a house near House No. 194, where nearly 10 feet of water had accumulated.

The caller informed rescuers that the victim was using a water pump to drain the flooded basement when he drowned. A Rescue 1122 diving team recovered the body from the water after a search operation. The deceased was identified as Malik Awais, son of Malik Anees, aged 53.

The body was shifted to IMC Hospital for legal formalities. he search and rescue operation involved 20 rescuers and six emergency vehicles. The spokesperson said the operation was completed successfully.

Lahore: A loaded dumper met an accident after a rain-damaged road caved in near Gate No. 1 of Ittehad Town on the road from Qazalbash Chowk, disrupting traffic in the area on Friday. According to a Lahore Traffic Police spokesperson, the dumper, carrying crushed stone, struck the road divider after a section of the road collapsed due to heavy rainfall.

The impact burst both front tyres of the vehicle, leaving it stranded in the sunken portion of the road. On the directions of Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi, traffic police immediately cordoned off the affected area to ensure public safety and deployed additional personnel to regulate traffic and maintain smooth vehicular flow.

The spokesperson said the relevant departments had been informed to undertake urgent repair of the damaged road and remove the stranded dumper at the earliest.

The Lahore Traffic Police advised motorists to exercise caution while travelling during the ongoing rains, avoid unnecessary journeys through affected areas and follow traffic police instructions to ensure their safety.

Lahore: A Punjab Spatial Planning Authority Board of Directors meeting, chaired by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique, approved the procedure for appointments and financial matters of the authority.

Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Director General PSPA Abdullah Nayyer and other members also attended the meeting. On this occasion, the administrative affairs of PSPA were considered.

Provincial Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique directed PSPA to continue taking steps to achieve the goals and said that the scope of monitoring commercial construction activities will be gradually expanded. He said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif wants to promote construction culture in Punjab according to master planning. PSPA’s AI system is being trained with the help of satellites. “An online system for approving housing schemes has been introduced from the Planning Support System”, he added. Zeeshan Rafique said that the establishment of PSPA is an important step for the protection of green areas. He said that the Spatial Planning Authority will be provided with the required resources.

Lahore: Under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Government of Punjab has launched the eTransit Punjab App and T-Cash Card to provide citizens with a modern, secure, and cashless public transportation experience, further advancing the province’s digital transformation agenda.

Developed jointly by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) the Transport Department, and the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA), the electronic fare collection system enables commuters to travel quickly, conveniently, and securely without the need for cash. By using the T-Cash Card or the eTransit Punjab mobile application, passengers can enjoy a seamless travel experience across public transport services.

The eTransit Punjab App and T-Cash Card allow commuters to access Metro Bus and Electric Bus services through a single digital platform. The system eliminates the need for cash payments and long queues for purchasing travel tokens, making fare collection faster, more efficient, and more convenient for passengers while enhancing the overall public transport experience.

In this regard, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated, ‘The launch of the eTransit Punjab App and T-Cash Card marks a significant milestone in promoting digital transportation across Punjab. Our goal is to provide citizens with a secure, convenient, and modern travel experience through the use of technology. PITB remains committed to introducing innovative digital solutions that make public services more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric.’

He further added, ‘This initiative will not only simplify the daily commute for thousands of citizens but will also contribute to the promotion of digital payments, improved service delivery, and the development of smart governance across the province. By embracing digital technologies, we are building a more connected, efficient, and future-ready public transport ecosystem.’

Citizens can download the eTransit Punjab App free of charge from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Information regarding the T-Cash Card, its usage, and other service details is available at www.etransit.punjab.gov.pk

Lahore: On the occasion of Friday, IG Punjab Abdul Karim issued orders to further tighten security across the province including Lahore.

IG Punjab directed all RPOs, CPOs, DPOs and related officers to ensure foolproof security arrangements at mosques, Imambargahs, shrines, markets, sensitive installations and other important places.

IG Punjab directed that police patrolling be increased around mosques, Imambargahs, business centers, important highways and public places, while personnel posted at inter-provincial border police posts should remain on full alert and keep a close watch on every suspicious activity.

Abdul Karim said that special attention should be paid to the movement of Fitna-ul-Kharij, Fitna-ul-Hindustan and other anti-national and mischievous elements. He also issued instructions to make comprehensive checking of suspicious vehicles, people and goods on internal and external routes more effective.

IG Punjab ordered to continue search, sweep and combing operations around sensitive places without interruption and said that no negligence or lapse in security will be tolerated.

He further directed that all senior police officers including DPOs should be present in the field, monitor security arrangements and ensure all necessary measures to protect the lives and property of the people.