Day: August 1, 2026

Lahore: The Millat Tractors Limited Chairman Sikandar Mustafa Khan has donated two brand-new tractors to his alma mater, Government College University (GCU) Lahore.

The donation was made in response to a formal request by GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Omer Chaudhry. The heavy machinery is especially required to facilitate landscaping, agricultural upkeep, and ongoing development work at the university’s expansive new 370-acre campus situated at Kala Shah Kaku.

The two new tractors were officially handed over to the university administration today at the main campus.

Mr. Khan maintains an active association with his alma mater. Alongside this recent contribution, he is a serving member of the Executive Committee of the GCU Endowment Fund, which assists the university with institutional development and student financial aid.

Lahore: The Women Media Center Pakistan organised a five-day media training workshop on Artificial Intelligence, Journalistic Safety and Inclusive Journalism for female students associated with media, women journalists, media practitioners and women aspiring to pursue careers in journalism.

The workshop, held at a local hotel from July 27 to July 31, 2026, familiarised participants with modern journalistic skills and the evolving requirements of the media industry to enable them to work professionally in the field. Director General Public Relations Punjab, Farid Ahmed, attended the concluding session as the chief guest and addressed the participants.

Speaking on the occasion, DGPR Punjab Sheikh Farid Ahmed said that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, as the first woman chief minister of the province, had made the welfare, protection and empowerment of women one of the key priorities of her government.

He said the Punjab government had undertaken numerous initiatives, including the establishment of state-of-the-art daycare centres for working women, provision of safe transport facilities for women, the Chief Minister Women Empowerment Package, Pink Games, the Pink Scooty Programme, expansion of working women hostels, promotion of women’s vocational and digital skills, creation of business opportunities and easy financial assistance, special facilities in the health and education sectors, and promotion of safe and dignified workplaces for women. He said these initiatives aimed to strengthen women economically and socially and provide them with an environment where they could perform their professional responsibilities with confidence and peace of mind.

He further said that under the leadership of Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bukhari, women-friendly initiatives had also been introduced in the Information and Culture Department to provide women officers, journalists and media professionals with a safe, dignified and enabling professional environment.

He said that on the directions of Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, the daycare centre established at the DGPR had been upgraded in line with modern requirements so that working mothers could perform their professional responsibilities with complete peace of mind.

He added that nearly 50 per cent of the recruitment in the department’s Digital Media Wing had been allocated to women, reflecting confidence in women’s capabilities and the department’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion.

He further said that a large number of female interns were also receiving practical training in the Information and Culture Department, where they were being provided ample opportunities to learn modern media, digital communication and public relations while enhancing their professional skills.

He said special emphasis was being placed on improving women’s professional capacity, digital skills, training opportunities and leadership development so that they could play an effective role in media and other sectors.

Addressing the participants, Sheikh Farid Ahmed said they were fortunate to have access to opportunities. He urged them to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s degree, pursue master’s and doctoral studies, focus on education and also undertake field visits, which he said were equally important.

Speaking about women’s education, DGPR Farid Ahmed said an educated woman was vital for future generations. He said significant opportunities existed in the country and hard work always yielded results.

Responding to a question, the DGPR said modern technology should be used as a tool for convenience rather than becoming dependent on it. He urged participants to develop reading habits and demonstrate their love for the country through their actions. He also said the training material should be provided to participants before the commencement of the workshop.

Sharing his views on the workshop, DGPR Punjab Farid Ahmed congratulated Women Media Center Pakistan and said the team from Karachi had provided practical training to the young women participating in the programme.

During the workshop, special focus was placed on equipping women journalists and female media students with modern journalistic skills in line with the rapidly evolving media landscape. Participants received practical knowledge and essential skills on a range of important subjects, including the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, digital and online safety, ethical reporting, fact-checking and inclusive journalism.

Certificates were distributed among the participants at the conclusion of the programme.

Lahore: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Zone arrested two alleged human smugglers, including a proclaimed offender (PO), in separate raids conducted in Lahore and Sheikhupura on Friday.

According to the spokesperson, the arrested suspects were identified as Muhammad Nawaz and Muhammad Shahid. Muhammad Nawaz had been wanted by the FIA Lahore since 2025.

The spokesperson said the suspects were involved in migrant smuggling and visa fraud, and allegedly defrauded citizens of a total of Rs 777,000 by promising to arrange overseas work visas.

The arrests were made during raids carried out by the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Lahore.

The spokesperson said the suspects had been taken into custody and further investigation was underway.

Lahore: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem ordered enhanced security arrangements across the province, including Lahore, to ensure public safety during Friday congregations.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson here on Friday, the IGP directed all field formations to ensure strict security of mosques, imambargahs, shrines, markets and other sensitive locations.

He ordered an increase in patrolling around mosques, imambargahs, commercial centres and major roads, while personnel deployed at inter-provincial border police checkpoints were instructed to remain on high alert.

The IGP directed police to maintain close surveillance of anti-state and disruptive elements, including Fitna al-Khawarij and other hostile groups.

He further ordered enhanced checking of suspicious vehicles, individuals, and luggage at entry and exit points of Lahore and other major cities.

Search, sweep and combing operations around mosques, imambargahs, foreign consulates as well as other important and sensitive installations were also ordered to continue.

Abdul Kareem instructed senior police officers, including district police officers, to remain present in the field and personally review security arrangements.

He said maintaining law and order and protecting the lives, property and belongings of citizens remained the foremost priority of Punjab Police.

Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi on Friday announced that the driving licenses of motorists operating smoke-emitting vehicles would be suspended as part of intensified measures to curb smog and air pollution in the provincial capital.

The CTO said route permits of commercial vehicles found violating anti-smog regulations would also be suspended, stressing that stringent measures were essential to safeguard public health and ensure environmental protection.

He said the entry of tractor-trolleys and dumpers carrying sand and soil without protective tarpaulin remained banned in Lahore.

According to the spokesperson, as part of the ongoing crackdown, 1,013 cases had been registered against violators.

To enforce the anti-smog campaign, CTPL had deployed special teams at 12 entry and exit points of the city, in addition to 45 dedicated enforcement teams carrying out inspections and action across Lahore.

The spokesperson said action was taken against 3,649 smoke-emitting vehicles and 2,183 vehicles causing environmental pollution during the current month. Moreover, 6,820 unfit and poorly maintained vehicles were proceeded against for violating traffic and environmental regulations.

Abdul Raheem Shirazi said tractor-trolleys would not be allowed to operate without tarpaulin, water sprinkling or other mandatory safety measures to prevent the spread of dust and pollution.

He added that the traffic police were also using an artificial intelligence-based system to detect and issue e-challans to smoke-emitting vehicles.

The CTO said notices had been issued to various government and semi-government organisations to ensure the repair of smoke-emitting vehicles, warning that strict legal action would now be taken against those failing to comply.

Lahore: Pakistan and Turkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding long-term cooperation in the railway sector, with both countries agreeing to promote joint investment, technology transfer and modernization projects during a high-level meeting held in Ankara.

According to the PR spokesperson on Friday, the understanding was reached during a delegation-level meeting between Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi and Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu on the second day of the Pakistani minister’s official visit to Turkiye.

The two sides agreed to restore the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train service at the earliest and develop it into a permanent commercial trade corridor. They described the ITI freight corridor as a strategic initiative for enhancing trade and regional connectivity among South Asia, Central Asia and Europe.

During the meeting, the Pakistani delegation briefed the Turkish side on the upgradation of the Rohri-Taftan Main Line-3 (ML-3), stating that the project would significantly improve regional trade and freight operations through Iran. Progress on the Karachi-Rohri Main Line-1 (ML-1) project was also shared, while Turkish companies were invited to invest in the remaining sections of the railway network.

Pakistan also invited Turkish public and private sector companies to participate in Pakistan Railways’ infrastructure projects. Both sides discussed the possibility of Turkiye’s participation and technical cooperation in the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Corridor (UAPRC).

A detailed presentation was given on Pakistan Railways’ digital transformation, modern signaling systems, rolling stock upgradation and private sector participation. The two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in technology transfer, digital railway solutions, capacity building and modern operational systems.

The meeting also explored opportunities for joint investment, joint ventures and local manufacturing at Pakistan Railways’ Carriage Factory in Islamabad, concrete sleeper factories and engineering workshops. Both sides expressed interest in utilizing Turkish technology for the local production of railway equipment, passenger coaches and freight wagons.

Pakistan and Turkiye also agreed to promote cooperation in railway manufacturing, outsourcing, industrial collaboration and greater private sector participation. Detailed presentations on railway projects, regional connectivity and investment opportunities were delivered by both delegations.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said Pakistan would fully benefit from Trkiye’s experience, investment and advanced technology in the modernization of Pakistan Railways.

The two countries reaffirmed their resolve to transform bilateral railway cooperation into practical projects, joint investments and initiatives aimed at promoting regional economic growth and connectivity.