Month: July 2026

Lahore: Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday visited the provincial capital to offer his heartfelt condolences to Syed Almdar Hussain Shah, President of the New York Chamber of Small Business Corporation, USA, and Syed Amjad Hussain Shah, a distinguished Overseas Pakistani-American, on the sad demise of their beloved mother.

According to a press release issued here on Monday, the Chairman Senate expressed profound sorrow over the bereavement and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and bless the bereaved family with patience and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Among those present on the occasion were Shehzad Malik, Amjad Javed Saleemi, Syed Musa Kazim Bukhari,

Dr. Rafi Gilani, Chaudhry Nisar, Naheed Baig Advocate, Safdar Ali, Hassan Shehzad Malik, Motasim Malik, Dr. Hammad Khan, and Shehla Kalachi.

On the occasion, Syed Almdar Hussain Shah, President of the New York Chamber of Small Business Corporation, USA, expressed his sincere gratitude to Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani for personally visiting the family and extending his condolences and prayers during this difficult time.

Lahore: Punjab Police have provided a house worth Rs13. 5 million to the family of Shaheed Constable Muhammad Rafiq as part of its ongoing welfare programme for the families of police martyrs.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, the house was purchased in Garhi Sultan Shah area of Rajanpur in accordance with the preference of the martyr’s family, while the government of Punjab released the required funds for the purchase.

The spokesperson said Constable Muhammad Rafiq embraced martyrdom in 2024 after coming under fire from dacoits while performing his official duties in the Katcha area. He is survived by his widow, seven daughters and one son.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem paid tribute to the sacrifice of Shaheed Constable Muhammad Rafiq, and said he laid down his life in the line of duty without caring for his own safety.

The IGP said Punjab Police would never forget the supreme sacrifices rendered by its brave personnel, adding that the force remained committed to the welfare and well-being of the families of its martyrs.

He said Punjab Police were the custodian of the legacy of more than 1, 700 martyrs and ensuring the welfare of their families would continue to remain one of its foremost priorities.

Lahore: The Punjab government on Monday appointed Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, as the Advocate General Punjab with immediate effect.

A notification to this effect was issued by the Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department on the directions of the Governor of Punjab.

According to the notification, the Governor appointed Barrister Zafarullah Khan as Advocate General Punjab in the public interest, under the terms and conditions contained in the department’s notification dated May 20, 2025.

Barrister Zafarullah Khan has replaced Muhammad Amjad Pervaiz, who was recently recommended by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan for appointment as an additional judge of the Lahore High Court.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Communication and Works (CandW) Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth on Monday directed the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to address the situation at Bhir Nullah and restore access to Pathan Colony in Ferozewala.

Chairing a meeting to review the situation here, the minister was briefed in detailon the prevailing conditions at Bhir Nullah. Officials informed the meeting that the Highways Sheikhupura team was actively engaged in relief operations, while material filling work was being carried out on a priority basis to restore access to Pathan Colony.

The minister directed the officers to further strengthen safety and precautionary measures around Bhir Nullah and remain present in the field to ensure continuous monitoring of the situation.

The meeting also directed that full support be extended to the district administration in handling the emergency.

Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth said all available resources were being utilized to tackle the situation, adding that efforts were also underway to drain accumulated rainwater and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. He said the Communication and Works Department was fully mobilized to provide safe and uninterrupted travel facilities to the public.

Lahore: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Monday arrested 14 suspects from Lahore and Multan in a major crackdown on online financial fraud, fake identities and social media scams.

According to an NCCIA spokesperson, four suspects were arrested in Lahore in three separate cases. They were identified as Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Ashfaq, Muhammad Qamar and Ameer Kareem.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly posed as marriage bureau representatives or close acquaintances to deceive victims into transferring money. Authorities said evidence suggested they had fraudulently obtained millions of rupees from citizens. Mobile phones used in the offences were also seized.

In Multan, authorities arrested 10 suspects in three separate operations. The arrested individuals were identified as Muhammad Asghar, Amir Shehzad, Muhammad Kamran, Rizwan Talib, Saqib Ali, Kamran Talib, Iftikhar Manzoor, Muhammad Adnan, Muhammad Sultan and Muhammad Naeem.

The spokesperson said the suspects allegedly impersonated officials of Customs, Police, banks and other government departments through social media and WhatsApp. They reportedly lured victims by offering fake prizes, gifts and donations or on the pretext of bank verification and parcel clearance to obtain money fraudulently.

The spokesperson said one case involved alleged fraud amounting to Rs1 million, while another involved Rs588, 000.

During the operations, NCCIA recovered mobile phones, SIM cards, fake WhatsApp accounts, social media accounts and other digital evidence, which was being subjected to forensic examination.

Cases have been registered against the suspects under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, as amended in 2025, along with relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code. Further investigations are underway, while efforts are continuing to arrest other facilitators linked to the cyber fraud networks.

Lahore: The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province for 60 days in view of the prevailing monsoon situation, banning bathing, swimming and unauthorized boating in various water bodies to prevent accidents and protect human lives.

According to a notification issued by the Home Department, bathing in rainwater accumulated at open and public places has been prohibited. A complete ban has also been imposed on swimming in rainwater ponds, rivers, canals and lakes.

The notification further said unauthorized boating in dams, rivers, canals and distributaries would also remain prohibited during the enforcement period.

The Home Department said the restrictions had been imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, in view of the prevailing weather conditions and the risk of accidents during the monsoon season.

The Home Secretary directed district administrations and law enforcement agencies to ensure strict implementation of the orders and launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign regarding the restrictions.