Month: July 2026

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister(CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif has extended heartfelt felicitations to the people of the United States on the occasion of the country’s 250th Independence Day.

In her congratulatory message on Sunday,the CM expressed her resolve to further strengthening bilateral cooperation and partnership with the US. She said the people of Punjab joined the American nation in celebrating this historic milestone. She added that Pakistan and the United States shared a longstanding relationship based on mutual respect, cooperation and common interests.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the recent diplomatic efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during the recent regional conflict had further strengthened Pakistan-US relations and created new opportunities for constructive engagement.

She commended the United States for its contribution to the promotion of democratic values and expressed confidence that the bilateral partnership would continue to deepen across multiple sectors.

Highlighting ongoing collaboration, the chief minister said Punjab was working with the United States on initiatives related to climate change, tourism and technology, describing the cooperation as valuable for the province’s sustainable development, innovation and economic growth.

Reiterating Punjab’s resolve to expand ties with the United States,CM Maryam Nawaz said enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest would further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two countries and benefit their people.

Lahore: The Punjab government has strictly banned the manufacturing, sale, and single-use plastic shopping bags and polythene bags with a thickness of less than 75 microns. Strict crackdowns are being carried out, conducted by the Environment Protection Agency Punjab and the Punjab Food Authority to ensure retailers and manufacturers comply. The ban includes polythene shopping bags under 75 microns, as well as various single-use disposable plastics, multi-layer packaging, and polystyrene. EPA official sources said that violations could lead to heavy administrative fines (ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000 for shopkeepers), immediate sealing of businesses, and confiscation of plastic inventory. Manufacturers have started facing substantially higher consequences. Meanwhile, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also launched its first skimming boat designed to remove plastic waste from canals and rivers, in a major step towards tackling plastic pollution.

The boat will begin operations as a pilot project in the Lahore Canal, marking the introduction of a technology-based solution to address water pollution in the province. The EPA Punjab officials said the skimming boat, with a waste collection bin installed at its front, would play a vital role in collecting floating plastic waste from waterways, supporting the province’s broader campaign against plastic pollution. They noted that the pilot project would help assess the effectiveness of the technology before its potential expansion to other canals and rivers across Punjab. EPA Punjab’s Director General (DG) Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh said that practical measures were essential to eliminate plastic pollution. He added that the real challenge would begin after the pledges, as commitments needed to be translated into concrete action. He reaffirmed the EPA’s determination to eliminate banned the single-use plastic bags from Punjab and said enforcement teams and special squads would continue operations against violator
s across the province.

Lahore: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab leadership, in a joint message on the 49th Black Day marking the overthrow of the elected government on July 5, 1977, said that the democratic journey of the country was interrupted when the government of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was removed.

PPP Central Punjab President Raja Pervez Ashraf said that the imposition of martial law weakened parliament, the Constitution, and democratic institutions.

He stated that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto revived hopes for the restoration of democracy in 1988, while President Asif Ali Zardari voluntarily returned parliamentary powers in 2008, describing the restoration of the Constitution in its original spirit as a historic achievement of the PPP.

He said that the honor of Pakistan is linked with the sacrifices of the people,national institutions and the armed forces, adding that under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the party continues its mission of public service.

PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza said that July 5 remains a dark day in the country’s history when an elected government was overthrown under the banner of operation Fair Play. He emphasized that the supremacy of the Constitution, democratic continuity, respect for public opinion, and the rule of law were essential for building a strong, stable, and prosperous Pakistan.

Senior Vice President Rana Farooq Saeed termed July 5 as one of the darkest chapters in Pakistan’s democratic history, saying that the country continues to face the consequences of decisions taken during the Zia era.

He reiterated the party’s opposition to terrorism and extremism and said that the PPP seeks a strong, peaceful, and stable Pakistan rather than power for its own sake.

He added that the struggles of late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto were dedicated to Pakistan and democracy while Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would never compromise on national interests.

He said the party would continue its efforts to safeguard the people,the Constitution and democratic values.

PPP Central Punjab Information Secretary Shahzad Saeed Cheema said that the martial law imposed on July 5 deprived the people of their constitutional right to vote.

He described the Constitution as a sacred social contract between the state and its citizens and stressed that democratic continuity was indispensable for the country’s progress and stability.

He further said that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was pursuing politics based on constitutional supremacy, parliamentary democracy and the protection of public rights.

He emphasized that the party envisions a Pakistan where freedom of expression is protected, the Constitution reigns supreme, and democracy guarantees the rights of the people and national stability.

Lahore: US Consul General to Lahore Stetson Sanders has said that the Americans and Pakistanis are working together to build a stronger nation in both of our countries and for greater shared prosperity.

‘May the spirit of friendship and partnership between the United States and Pakistan continue to grow for generations to come’, Sanders said, in his note of thanks, at the Freedom 250 celebrations to mark adoption of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America on July 4, 1776 during a ceremony at the Lahore Fort on Sunday night.

A spell-binding light-show on the Alamgiri Gate and Picture Wall of the historic Lahore Fort, cultural performances and a cake-cutting ceremony marked the freedom celebrations.

Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb was the chief guest at the ceremony where other dignitaries including Head of the Lahore office of the British High Commission Lahore Ben Wrrington, Turkiye Counsel General Lahore Durmus Bastug, honorary Consul General of Tunisia Mohammad Hameed, Director General Walled City of Lahore (WCLA) Najamussaqib Sheikh, Rector FCCU Dr. Jonnathan S. Addelton, business community representatives, youth leaders, journalists and renowned figures attended the 250 years of independence.

Sanders said ‘it is a true privilege to stand here this evening at the Lahore Fort with all of you, the great treasures of the world. Tonight is a celebration of independence and a celebration of partnership. Two hundred and fifty years ago, America’s founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to a proposition that was, at the time, novel and quite radical.’

He said the Declaration of Independence was, at its core, an act of faith, faith that free people could govern themselves while building a new nation and exercising their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ‘What better place to celebrate the legacy of a centuries-old document like that and the ideals enshrined in the Constitution of the United States than here in this site? It felt something that’s been admired by people around the world for centuries’, he added.

Peeping into the annals of history and connecting the past and the present, Sanders said the world looked a lot different in 1556 when emperor Akbar first worked on the fort, and it changed over the centuries when emperors Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb continued to enhance the fort’s beauty and magnificence.

He said this remarkable place reminds us that civilizations endure because they draw from the past as they build their futures, adding that, tonight, we gather beside the magnificent Picture Wall, one of the largest and most extraordinary mural facades anywhere in the world.

On the historicity of the Picture Wall, he said its vibrant mosaic panels have witnessed centuries of history, artistry, and human achievement. And tonight, we are so delighted to be here with all of you and have these walls come to be the colors to the American flag. We are so proud that with support from the American people, the Lahore Fort continues to stand strong.

The US diplomat further said ‘as we commemorate America’s two hundred and fiftieth birthday, we celebrate two and a half centuries of freedom, constitutional government, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the enduring belief that every generation has the responsibility and the opportunity to move the nation forward to be stronger than when they inherited it.’

He said the United States believes in strong nations that with strong partnerships. Our relationship with Pakistan is strongest when it creates opportunities for both our countries.

Quoting Charg© d’Affaires Natalie Baker, on June 4 during a similar ceremony with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in attendance, he said ‘the United States has embraced Pakistan as a true partner, a strategic partner, not merely a transactional one, but a partner grounded in mutual respect, aligned interests, and a shared vision for security and prosperity.’

And that partnership translates from Washington to Islamabad to hard work here in Lahore and across the magnificent province of, of Punjab. I arrived in Lahore about a year ago, and it’s been my truly great pleasure to meet such wonderful people and to find such hospitable friends, competent partners, and bold leaders.

Reiterating American government’s commitment to prosperity, he said ‘From the chief minister’s ambitious vision for the future of Punjab to the American companies that are investing here and the United States universities that are building ties across academic institutions in Punjab, Americans and Pakistanis are working together to build a stronger nation in both of our countries and greater shared prosperity.’

Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb and Stetson Sandres cut a cake to mark 250th Independence Day while CG Sanders also presented a souvenir to the Chief Guest Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister(CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif, while paying tribute to Captain Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed on his martyrdom anniversary, said that the Pakistani nation salutes its brave son.

In her message,the Chief Minister(CM) said that Captain Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed defended the homeland with courage, bravery and unparalleled determination and struck fear into the enemy.

She said that the enemy also recognizes the bravery and extraordinary bravery of Captain Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed.

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that the great sacrifice of Captain Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed will always be remembered and the nation will always look at the eternal services and sacrifice of its martyrs with respect and appreciation.

Lahore: Three modern jails are being established in Punjab for women in three big cities including Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi, Home Department officials said on Sunday.

Sources said that recently detailed review was taken of the capacity crisis in prisons, the welfare of prisoners, security, health, education and ongoing measures for the promotion of skills.

Funds of Rs 1.3 billion were approved for the completion of Nankana Sahib Jail, while the target was set to complete Nankana Sahib and Samundri jails by September this year. Construction of new jails in Chiniot and Murree and construction of 27 additional barracks is also in progress.

The government has set a target of increasing the capacity of jails to 43,718 by 2027.

It is worth mentioning here that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has already said that the basic human rights and dignity of prisoners should be protected at all costs in jails.

She expressed her resolve that Punjab’s jails would be converted into real reformatories, not prisons.