Month: July 2026

Lahore: Punjab Home Department imposed Section 144 across the province for 60 days in view of the ongoing monsoon rains, flooding and prevailing weather conditions to protect human lives.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the restrictions prohibit bathing in accumulated rainwater on streets, roads, open areas, and other public places. Swimming in dams, rivers, canals, ponds, lakes and distributaries had also been banned.

The spokesperson said unauthorized boating in dams, rivers, canals, ponds, lakes and distributaries had also been prohibited under Section 144.

The orders were issued by the Punjab Home Secretary under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, through a formal notification.

The Home Department said recent monsoon rains had led to the accumulation of water in low-lying areas, streets and open spaces, while water levels in dams, rivers, canals, ponds and lakes had risen significantly, increasing the risk of drowning and other accidents.

The spokesperson said the restrictions had been imposed to safeguard precious human lives and prevent any untoward incidents during the monsoon season.

The provincial administration and law enforcement agencies had been directed to ensure strict implementation of the orders, while all relevant departments had been instructed to launch a public awareness campaign to inform citizens about the restrictions and encourage them to observe safety precautions.

Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi on Monday ordered disciplinary action against several traffic police officials, including the demotion of seven traffic inspectors and the dismissal of a traffic warden, over negligence, misconduct and corruption.

According to a Lahore Traffic Police spokesperson, one traffic warden was dismissed from service after an inquiry found him guilty of corruption.

The spokesperson said one traffic inspector was demoted to the rank of traffic warden for one year for negligence and lack of interest in official duties, while six traffic inspectors were demoted to the rank of traffic warden for two years for concealing facts during the departmental promotion process by submitting false affidavits.

Three traffic wardens posted at the Takamul Testing Centre were awarded the penalty of withholding annual increments for two years over negligence in performing official duties.

A senior traffic assistant was demoted to the rank of traffic assistant for misconduct after unnecessarily confronting a citizen.

Two traffic assistants were also awarded the penalty of withholding annual increments for two years over negligence in official duties and unauthorised absence, while the service of one senior traffic warden was forfeited for one year under departmental disciplinary proceedings.

The CTO directed officers to further strengthen the accountability mechanism within Lahore Traffic Police, stressing that negligence, lack of commitment to duty and corruption would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He said strict disciplinary action would continue to ensure transparency, professionalism and improved public service.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has called for greater public awareness and preventive measures to combat head and neck cancer.

In her message on World Head and Neck Cancer Day, the CM said the occasion serves as a reminder of the importance of awareness, early detection, prevention and compassion in the fight against the life-threatening disease.

The CM said tobacco use, gutka, pan, alcohol consumption and unhealthy lifestyle habits are among the leading causes of head and neck cancer, urging people to adopt healthier lifestyles and seek timely medical screening to improve treatment outcomes.

CM Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan’s first Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore is nearing completion and will serve as a beacon of hope for cancer patients from Punjab and across the country. She added the state-of-the-art institute will provide comprehensive cancer care and that no patient will be denied treatment, regardless of the stage of the disease.

The CM said the Punjab government is committed to strengthening the healthcare sector and every cancer patient deserves timely, quality treatment and the government is working to expand access to advanced cancer care facilities.

Lahore: The district administration has completed preparations to deal with a possible flood situation in the provincial capital. Deputy Commissioner Captain (Rtd) Ali Ijaz has said that there is no risk of flooding in the city at present.

According to the Deputy Commissioner Lahore, the water level in the Ravi River is currently normal and is continuously decreasing. He said that the administration is keeping a close eye on the situation and all arrangements are complete to deal with any emergency.

Ali Ijaz said that in view of the possible situation, a plan for evacuation and flood relief camps has been prepared, while 24 camps have been activated across the city to deal with urban flooding in urban areas.

He said that the relevant staff is present in the flood relief camps 24 hours a day so that immediate steps can be taken in any emergency. The deputy commissioner said that the district administration is using all resources to protect citizens and the situation is being continuously monitored.

Lahore: Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran on Monday directed police officers to intensify action against crime, illegal Afghan nationals, drug peddlers and usurers while ensuring strict enforcement of the Tenancy Act across the provincial capital.

The directives were issued during a crime control review meeting of the Cantonment Division, attended by SP Security, SP Cantt circle officers and all station house officers (SHOs).

The DIG ordered comprehensive verification of illegally residing Afghan nationals and stressed strict implementation of the Tenancy Act to strengthen security measures.

He appreciated the performance of the SHOs of Baghbanpura and Harbanspura police stations for their effective policing, while assigning the SHO Factory Area the task of bringing motorcycle theft incidents under control.

DIG Faisal instructed officers to focus on crime reduction and warned that illegal detention of suspects would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

He also directed police to launch a vigorous crackdown against the public display of weapons, drug traffickers and loan sharks, reiterating that the Lahore Police maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.

The DIG urged officers to serve the public with professionalism and courtesy, directing them to treat citizens respectfully and ensure prompt assistance in all situations.

Lahore: City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) on Monday launched a pilot project to rehabilitate deserving individuals involved in begging by providing vocational training, financial assistance, and employment opportunities under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Zero Begging Punjab” initiative.

The project was discussed during a meeting chaired by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi, attended by Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) Managing Director Mubeen Elahi and Alkhidmat Foundation Project Director Muhammad Sinan. The participants agreed on a joint strategy to rehabilitate deserving families involved in begging through skill development and self-employment opportunities.

Under the pilot project, Alkhidmat Foundation will initially identify 10 deserving families, while PSIC will provide soft loans of up to Rs500, 000 to each selected beneficiary to help them establish small businesses and earn a respectable livelihood.

The meeting also decided to establish “Jhuggi Schools” in slum areas of Lahore to promote education and rehabilitation of children. Additionally, deserving women, children, and transgender persons will be provided vocational training in fields such as beauty courses, tailoring, and embroidery in collaboration with welfare organizations to improve their employment prospects.

Speaking on the occasion, CTO Abdul Raheem Shirazi said Alkhidmat Foundation volunteers would assist CTPL in mapping, profiling, and research on beggars. He added that a coordinated strategy would also be adopted to identify organized begging networks and their handlers.

He said strict legal action would be taken against human traffickers and those involved in organized professional begging networks under relevant anti-human trafficking laws and Punjab vagrancy laws.

The CTO said the priority was to support deserving individuals rather than punish them, adding that those forced into begging due to poverty would be assisted through vocational training, employment opportunities, and measures aimed at promoting self-reliance. However, professional beggars exploiting the system would continue to face legal action.

PSIC MD Mubeen Elahi said the initiative would not only help curb organized begging but also contribute to the social and economic rehabilitation of deserving families.

The CTO said all relevant government departments, welfare organizations, and the private sector were being engaged to develop a sustainable mechanism for implementing the chief minister’s vision of a “Zero Begging Punjab” by providing dignified livelihood opportunities to deserving people.

He added that CTPL had taken action against more than 3, 500 beggars during the current year and was now complementing enforcement measures with rehabilitation, vocational training, and employment support to achieve a long-term solution to the issue.