Month: July 2026

Lahore: Newly appointed Advocate General Punjab Barrister Zafarullah Khan formally assumed charge of his office on Tuesday.

Upon his arrival at the Advocate General Punjab Office, law officers welcomed him and presented him with a bouquet. The newly appointed provincial law officer also met with all the law officers of the department.

Barrister Zafarullah Khan was appointed Advocate General Punjab following the approval of the nomination of former Advocate General Muhammad Amjad Pervaiz as an additional judge of the Lahore High Court.

Lahore: Following the successful computerized ballot held on June 23, 2026, the CM Punjab Rahmat Card initiative has entered its next major milestone with JazzCash commencing digital disbursements to selected widows and orphans across Punjab.

The launch of digital payments marks the successful transition from beneficiary selection to financial assistance delivery, completing another key phase of one of Punjab’s most technologically advanced social welfare initiatives.

According to PITB spokesperson, the CM Punjab Rahmat Card was a collaborative initiative of the Punjab government, Zakat and Ushr Department, Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), NADRA, Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA), Urban Unit, JazzCash, and other stakeholders to digitize the complete lifecycle of welfare assistance from citizen application and eligibility verification to transparent beneficiary selection and digital financial disbursement.

During the computerized ballot ceremony, officials acknowledged the successful completion of the project’s technology implementation. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (SACM) Rashid Iqbal Nasrullah appreciated the PITB team for its continuous technical support throughout the implementation of the initiative within stringent timelines. He also specially acknowledged the prompt guidance and support extended by PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf at various stages of the project whenever required.

Zakat and Ushr Department, Secretary Irfan Ahmad Sandhu also commended the dedicated efforts of PITB in designing, developing, and operationalising the comprehensive digital ecosystem supporting the programme. He appreciated PITB’s commitment to ensuring timely completion of all assigned deliverables despite challenging timelines.

Participants observed that the CM Punjab Rahmat Card was the first initiative of its kind undertaken by the Zakat and Ushr department in terms of both scale and technological sophistication. By replacing conventional manual processes with integrated digital workflows, the Programme had introduced unprecedented levels of transparency, efficiency, accountability, and speed in the delivery of welfare assistance.

As the technology implementation partner, PITB designed, developed, and operationalized the complete digital platform supporting the initiative. The digital ecosystem includes an online citizen application portal, an Android mobile application, a dedicated helpline for application support, inquiries, and complaints, a Beneficiary Management System, a multi-agency digital verification engine integrated with NADRA and Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER) databases, automated scrutiny and eligibility determination workflows, a computerized district-wise balloting mechanism, and real-time monitoring and decision-support administrative dashboards.

The end-to-end digital workflow enabled citizens to submit applications online, which were then verified through multiple government databases, assessed against approved eligibility criteria, allocated according to district quotas, and finally selected through a transparent computerized ballot before being transferred for digital disbursement through JazzCash.

The CM Punjab Rahmat Card initiative stands as a successful example of how digital public infrastructure could enable multiple government institutions to operate through a unified technology platform, facilitating data-driven decision-making, automated eligibility verification, transparent programme execution, and secure digital payments. The project reinforces the Punjab government’s commitment to delivering technology-enabled, scalable, and accountable citizen services that improve the lives of vulnerable segments of society.

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Law Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan on Tuesday chaired an important meeting at the Home Department to review the provision of financial assistance, residential facilities and other benefits to the families of police personnel martyred in the line of duty under the Punjab government’s Shuhada Package.

Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, Additional Inspector General of Police Imran Arshad, Additional Secretary (Police) Kanwar Anwar Ali Khan, DIG Welfare Mehboob Rashid and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The meeting approved financial assistance, residential houses and other benefits under the Shuhada Package for the families of 14 police personnel who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty in Bhakkar, Layyah, Bahawalnagar, Sargodha, Rajanpur, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan and Sahiwal.

Under Package-I, benefits were approved for the families of Constables Muhammad Shahbaz and Muhammad Faheem, who were martyred in a terrorist attack on the Dajal Check Post in Bhakkar, and Constable Muhammad Asad Naseer, who embraced martyrdom while fighting terrorists in Layyah.

Package-II was approved for the families of Sub-Inspector Shahid Pervaiz of Bahawalnagar, Sub-Inspector Amir Rizwan of Sargodha, Constable Muhammad Nasir of Rajanpur, Driver Constable Iftikhar Ahmad of Faisalabad and Constable Mirza Umar Aftab Baig of Gujrat.

Package-III was approved for the families of Sub-Inspector Muhammad Zaman Zia, Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Bashir and Constable Muhammad Waris of Bahawalnagar, Constable Muhammad Bismillah of Dera Ghazi Khan, Constable Muhammad Ramzan of Rahim Yar Khan and Constable Tahir-uz-Zaman Siddiqui of Sahiwal.

The meeting was informed that under Package-I, the family of a martyred constable would receive Rs10 million, a five-marla house and other prescribed benefits. Under Package-II, the family of a martyred constable would receive Rs4 million, a five-marla house and other benefits, while the family of a martyred Assistant Sub-Inspector would receive Rs5 million, a seven-marla house and other benefits.

Under Package-III, the family of a martyred constable would receive Rs3. 5 million and other benefits, while the families of martyred Assistant Sub-Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors would receive Rs4 million along with other prescribed benefits.

Addressing the meeting, Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said the martyrs were the pride of the nation, the crown of the people’s heads and the true heroes of the homeland. He said the sacrifices of brave police personnel in protecting the country, maintaining law and order and safeguarding the public would always be remembered.

The minister directed the authorities to ensure the immediate payment of all financial dues and provision of residential facilities and other benefits to the families of the martyrs. He said no negligence or unnecessary delay would be tolerated.

He further said that no injustice would be allowed against any martyr’s family and that the Punjab government would continue to extend full support to the bereaved families.

The minister said terrorists responsible for martyring police personnel in the line of duty would be brought to justice in accordance with the law, adding that the fight against anti-state elements would continue with full determination.

The meeting concluded with prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs, the security and prosperity of Pakistan, and patience and strength for their bereaved families.

Lahore: Director General Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority (PWCA), Najmussaqib, chaired a meeting to review and finalize arrangements for the upcoming 79th Independence Day celebrations, emphasizing that the national occasion should be observed with great enthusiasm, patriotism, and public participation.

During the meeting, the Director General ordered all officers concerned to ensure comprehensive planning for decorating heritage sites, public spaces, and Authority offices with the national flag and themed illuminations. He stressed that celebrations should reflect the spirit of Pakistan’s independence while highlighting the country’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.

The meeting also reviewed proposals for special cultural activities, public engagement initiatives, awareness campaigns, and festive decorations at heritage sites under the Authority’s management. Various departments presented their plans, and detailed discussions were held to ensure that all events were organized in a coordinated and befitting manner.

Najmussaqib stated that ‘Independence Day was a reminder of the sacrifices made for the creation of Pakistan and provides an opportunity to strengthen national unity and promote pride in the country’s heritage. ‘ He directed all wings of the Authority to work collectively to make the celebrations memorable for citizens and visitors alike. The meeting concluded with a commitment to execute all planned activities efficiently, ensuring that Punjab’s heritage sites become vibrant symbols of patriotism and national pride during the Independence Day festivities.

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.