Month: July 2026

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Police arrest two in Pizza Delivery robbery case in Rawalpindi


Rawalpindi: Police have arrested the alleged ringleader of a gang, along with an accomplice, accused of robbing a pizza delivery rider, police said.



According to the police spokesperson, the suspects allegedly lured the delivery rider by placing a food order before committing the robbery. During the operation, police recovered the stolen mobile phone, cash, the food delivery bag, and the weapon allegedly used in the crime.



The case was registered in May 2026. Police traced and arrested the suspects using technical surveillance and human intelligence.



SP Saddar Anum Sher stated that the accused would be produced before the court with substantial evidence to ensure legal proceedings.



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Governor Kundi expresses grief over deaths of former MNA Fauzia Habib, journalist Tariq Mateen


Peshawar: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the demise of former Member of the National Assembly Fauzia Habib and Daily Mashriq Deputy News Editor Tariq Mateen.



In separate condolence messages, the Governor prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls, forgiveness, and elevated ranks in Jannat.



He also extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for their strength and patience to bear the irreparable loss.



Expressing grief over the death of senior journalist Tariq Mateen due to cardiac arrest, Governor Kundi said he was a talented, hardworking and responsible journalist who rendered valuable services to the profession.



He said the journalistic community had lost a sincere and dedicated professional, adding that his services would be remembered for a long time.



The Governor prayed that Almighty Allah grant both the departed eternal peace, forgive their shortcomings, and bless their families with patience and fortitude during this difficult time.



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IFC, Bangladesh MRA delegation visits SAFCO


Hyderabad: A high-level delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) of Bangladesh visited SAFCO Microfinance Company (Private) Limited (SMCL) to study Pakistan’s affordable housing finance initiatives, housing microfinance interventions, and SAFCO’s conventional and Shariah-compliant Islamic housing finance model.



The knowledge exchange visit was aimed at understanding innovative approaches to expanding affordable housing finance for low-income communities and strengthening regional cooperation in housing microfinance.



The delegation included Ms. Ayesha Baig, Senior Operations Officer, Financial Institutions Group, IFC; Mr. Mohammad Yakub Hossain, Executive Director, MRA; Mr. Mohammad Kamal Hossain, Director, MRA; Mr. Suman Chakma, Joint Director, MRA; and Mr. Md. Arifuzzaman, Executive Director, MRA. They were received at SAFCO’s Head Office by Dr. Suleman G. Abro, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Syed Sajjad Ali Shah, Managing Director, and the company’s senior management.



During the visit, SAFCO presented Pakistan’s housing finance landscape, the evolution of its Housing Microfinance Programme, and its decades-long experience in developing affordable housing solutions for low-income households, including post-disaster housing reconstruction initiatives dating back to the 1992 floods.



The presentations highlighted SAFCO’s integrated approach to conventional and Islamic housing finance, digital underwriting and credit assessment, environmental and social risk management, corporate governance, and its sustainable financing model designed to promote financial inclusion and improve access to affordable housing.



The delegation also visited SAFCO’s housing finance clients to observe the practical impact of housing microfinance. They witnessed how access to affordable housing finance has enabled low-income families to construct, renovate, and expand their homes, leading to improved living conditions, enhanced climate resilience, better health and sanitation, and greater socio-economic stability.



Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Suleman G. Abro said that access to safe and affordable housing is fundamental to sustainable development and poverty reduction. He said SAFCO’s housing finance model has evolved through decades of experience in community development, disaster recovery, and inclusive finance, and continues to address the housing needs of underserved communities while generating lasting social and economic impact.



The visit also provided an opportunity for discussions on policy and regulatory frameworks, operational practices, and emerging trends in housing microfinance. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional collaboration, sharing knowledge and best practices, and promoting innovation in affordable housing finance.



The visit concluded with a shared commitment to continue cooperation in advancing housing microfinance solutions that improve the quality of life for low-income households while contributing to sustainable economic growth and stronger community resilience across South Asia.



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Preliminary schedule issued for CSS candidates


Lahore: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has released the preliminary schedule for the Central Superior Services (CSS) 2027 examinations,issuing an advance public notice on Sunday.

According to the schedule,online applications for the CSS MCQ-Based Preliminary Test (MPT) will be received from August 3 to August 20.

The preliminary screening test comprising multiple-choice questions will be held on September 27, 2026.

The advertisement for the CSS 2027 written examination will be published on November 8, 2026.

Online applications for the written exam will be accepted from November 10 to November 25, while the last date for submission of hard copies of applications and required documents has been set as December 4, 2026.

The CSS 2027 written examination is scheduled to begin on January 27,2027.

Candidates have been advised to regularly visit the FPSC website for updated information regarding the examination process.

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Govt plans annual evaluation of judges, says Azam Tarar


Lahore: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Saturday said the government was committed to improving legal education, strengthening the professional training of lawyers and ensuring the effective administration of justice.



Addressing the inauguration of the Lawyers Education Academy at the Punjab Bar Council and a certificate distribution ceremony for successful participants of the Bar Vocational Course, the minister said work was underway on introducing a comprehensive health insurance policy for lawyers and their families. He said the federal and Punjab governments were extending full support to the welfare of the legal fraternity.



Tarar said lawyers would be provided treatment for cancer, kidney, liver and heart diseases at both public and private hospitals under the proposed health scheme. He added that the Punjab government had released Rs1.35 billion in grants for bar associations and announced an additional Rs20 million for the Bar Vocational Course.



The minister said the establishment of the Directorate of Legal Education at the Pakistan Bar Council was a major reform aimed at modernising legal education. He described the legal profession as a sacred responsibility and urged lawyers to strengthen their institutions and resolve disputes through institutional forums.



On judicial reforms, Tarar said a seven-member committee had been constituted to ensure transparency and merit in the appointment of High Court judges. The committee will interview candidates and submit its recommendations to the Judicial Commission.



Questioning why High Court judges should not undergo interviews when Civil Judges and Additional Sessions Judges are required to pass examinations, the minister said judicial appointments must be based strictly on merit. He added that the government was introducing, for the first time, a constitutional mechanism for the annual evaluation of judges’ performance through a Judges Evaluation Committee.



Under the proposed system, a Judges Evaluation Committee will review the performance of judges at the end of each year. If a judge’s performance is found unsatisfactory, the committee may send a reference to the Judicial Commission and recommend removal, he added.



Commenting on constitutional reforms, Tarar said the 28th Constitutional Amendment would not be introduced in haste. He said that whenever the amendment is introduced, it will only be after broad consultation. He noted that the legal fraternity, including the Supreme Court Bar Association and other bar councils, had supported the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments.



Punjab Bar Council Executive Committee Chairman Fakhar Hayat Awan said the Bar Vocational Course had been mandatory since 2018 and announced that the Punjab Bar Council would no longer issue licences without verification of law degrees by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).



He also announced that the Bar’s Benevolent Fund had been increased from Rs300,000 to Rs600,000, pledging that there would be no compromise on the rights and welfare of lawyers.



Earlier, the federal law minister inaugurated the Lawyers Education Academy and later distributed certificates among successful participants of the Bar Vocational Course.



The ceremony was attended by Judicial Commission member Ahsan Bhoon, Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Pir Muhammad Masood Chishti, Punjab Bar Council Vice Chairman Khawaja Qaiser Butt, senior office-bearers of the Pakistan and Punjab Bar Councils, and a large number of lawyers.



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No helmet, no motorcycle, new ban imposed across Punjab


Lahore: Strict action has been started against motorcycle riders who do not wear helmets across Punjab, now the motorcycles of those who violate will also be impounded for a day. According to the authorities, the use of helmets has been made mandatory across the province to protect lives of citizens. Under the new instructions, those riding motorcycles without helmets will not only be challaned but their motorcycles will also be impounded for a day. Officials said that regular operations has been started to ensure 100 percent use of helmets, while traffic rules will be strictly implemented. Along with this, actions are also being taken against motorcyclists who do not adhere to the lane line. According to officials, more than 20,000 motorcycles were stopped last month for violating the lane line.



Officials said that all these measures are being taken to protect the lives of citizens and reduce traffic accidents. Citizens have been appealed to adhere to the lane line on the roads and ensure the use of helmets at all costs.



On the other hand, a new digital challaning system has been introduced for the effective implementation of traffic rules across Punjab, including Lahore, under which now every traffic challan will be issued with complete evidence.



According to DIG Traffic Waqas Nazir, the traffic police will issue challans to citizens across the province through One App, while videos and photos taken on the spot with each challan will be saved as evidence.



He said that citizens will receive an alert SMS from 8070 to pay the traffic challan, which will also contain a link to evidence of traffic violations.



According to Waqas Nazir, citizens will be able to see complete evidence of their traffic violations, including videos and photos, by opening the link in the SMS, which will promote transparency and trust in the challaning process.



DIG Traffic said that the new system has been introduced across Punjab for effective implementation of traffic laws, transparent challaning and providing verifiable evidence to citizens.