Month: July 2026

Lahore: A sessions court on Wednesday restrained police from arresting the station house officer (SHO) and other police personnel nominated in a case concerning a raid on the residence of Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Zulfiqar Ahmad Naeem heard the interim bail petitions filed by SHO Ejaz Haider and other police officials. The court granted them interim bail until August 12 against surety bonds of Rs50,000 each and directed the police officials to join the investigation.

SHO Ejaz Haider and the other police personnel approached the court seeking interim bail, apprehending arrest in the case.

Sarwar Road Police had registered the case against the officials in connection with the alleged raid on the Attorney General’s residence in Lahore.

According to the FIR, a police team led by the Sarwar Road SHO allegedly entered the Attorney General’s residence at around 6pm on July 27 after scaling the main gate. The FIR further alleged that the officials harassed employees present at the residence and damaged flower pots outside the house during the operation.

Lahore: A delegation comprising water supply and sanitation experts from Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa undertook a learning exchange visit to the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC).

The visit was organized in collaboration with AGAHE and Welthungerhilfe to promote the interprovincial exchange of innovative approaches and best practices.

The delegation included representatives from the Public Health Engineering Departments of Sindh and Balochistan, the Planning and Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, other government institutions working in water supply, sanitation and the WASH sector, and development partners.

Managing Director PMDFC, Syed Zahid Aziz, welcomed the delegation and briefed the participants on PMDFC’s ongoing initiatives for urban development, water supply and sanitation, institutional capacity building and improved municipal service delivery. He stated that such learning exchange visits play an important role in strengthening collaboration among provinces, promoting knowledge sharing and identifying sustainable solutions to challenges confronting the WASH sector.

Mudassir Javed, Director Planning and Evaluation, WASA Lahore, delivered a detailed briefing on WASA Lahore’s projects, institutional reforms and measures being undertaken to improve water supply and sanitation services for citizens. Mubarak Ali Sarwar, Chief Executive Officer of AGAHE, highlighted the objectives of the visit and the importance of strengthening interprovincial linkages in the WASH sector.

The delegation was also briefed on the projects, successful experiences and institutional reforms of the Pakistan Water Operators Network (P-WON), PMDFC and WASA Lahore. Special documentary highlighting the initiatives and achievements of PMDFC was also screened on the occasion.

Tahira Jabeen, National Coordinator P-WON; Umair Butt; Shahid Ibrahim; Ali Mufti; Amir Mahmood Shah, SPO GIS; and other officers also attended the meeting.

The participants appreciated the initiatives undertaken by PMDFC, PWON and WASA Lahore and emphasized the need to further promote the interprovincial exchange of experiences, technical expertise and replicable models.

Lahore: A meeting chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique reviewed the progress on the Punjab Development Program (PDP) at the Civil Secretariat here on Wednesday.

Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Special Secretary Shahid Zaman Lak also attended.

The meeting was briefed that 87 underground tanks have been completed in 51 cities under the ‘Maryam Nawaz’s Beautiful Punjab’ program, while 90 percent of 17 water storage tanks have been constructed in different cities. The meeting also considered the construction of additional tanks in cities with high rainwater pressure.

Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique said, “Rainfall pattern has changed due to climate change, so we need to move forward keeping in mind the uncertain rainfall situation.” He said that additional water pumps and machinery will be provided for drainage.

Zeeshan Rafique said that the construction of roadside water tanks has made a significant difference in urban flooding in the cities included in the PDP compared to last year. “Due to the encouraging results, work has started on constructing additional tanks.” He said that dewatering of tanks is being done in places where drains have not been constructed yet. “Dewatering the tanks will help in the drainage of rainwater again”, he figured out.

On this occasion, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian said that in light of the alert of the new spell of rains, excavation in PDP schemes has been stopped immediately. He directed that effective safety and security arrangements should be ensured at the excavation sites.

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.