Day: August 2, 2026

Lahore: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Saturday expressed confidence that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would achieve an excellent result in the ongoing Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, saying the party had established a strong position through its politics of public service and development.

Addressing a ceremony here, the minister appreciated PML-N workers for mobilising voters and said the political atmosphere he witnessed throughout the campaign indicated that the party’s voice was being heard across AJK.

He said that PML-N had gained a significant lead in the first phase and expressed confidence that, by the grace of Allah Almighty, the party would form the next government in AJK.

Tarar said the politics of public service, development and progress were the fundamental principles of the PML-N.

He said the development work carried out in AJK during the tenure of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was evident, while Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had also initiated mega development projects in the region, including Daanish Schools and other major public welfare initiatives.

The minister said Kashmir had always remained among the PML-N’s priorities and that the party had consistently raised its voice for the Kashmir cause and the rights of Kashmiris, besides taking practical steps in this regard.

He said whenever the Kashmir issue was raised at the United Nations or on international forums, Nawaz Sharif had spoken about the cause of Kashmir and paid tribute to Kashmiri martyrs. Similarly, Shehbaz Sharif had also highlighted the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs and those who had championed the Kashmir cause, including the martyrdom of Burhan Wani.

Tarar said Kashmiri brothers and sisters living in Pakistan, as well as their forefathers, had not only made sacrifices for Kashmir but had also played their full role in supporting the Kashmir cause.

He paid tribute to all Kashmiris living in Pakistan and AJK, saying they were highly patriotic people with a deep love for Pakistan.

He said even today, people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) preferred to be buried wrapped in the Pakistani flag, while slogans such as ‘We are Pakistanis, and Pakistan is ours’ continued to be raised there.

Regarding the election campaign, the minister said every political party had the right to participate in politics and present its manifesto before the people. However, he questioned whether any political party had a manifesto and development record that could compete with the PML-N.

‘What is the answer? No, ‘ he remarked.

Tarar said public support could not be won merely through political speeches, adding that the hearts of the people could be won only through practical politics of public service.

He said Nawaz Sharif had undertaken extensive development work during his tenures, while Shehbaz Sharif was also working on projects aimed at public welfare.

The minister challenged other political parties campaigning in AJK to name even 10 or 12 major development projects completed during their respective tenures in Kashmir or in the areas from where they belonged.

He said the PML-N had undertaken major development projects and urged the people to judge political claims on the basis of performance.

He said, ‘PML-N has established a strong position through its politics of service. ‘

Tarar expressed confidence that in the AJK elections, whether on ‘Muhajir’ seats or Jammu and Kashmir seats, the PML-N would emerge victorious.

Lahore: Prime Minister(PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed grief over the death of Member of the National Assembly and former Punjab Assembly member Malik Iqbal Channar, describing his passing as a great loss and paying tribute to his decades-long public service.

In a condolence message, the premier said Channar was a sincere public representative, a committed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) worker and a loyal associate of party leader Nawaz Sharif.

Shehbaz said he had the opportunity to work closely with Channar during their tenure in the Punjab cabinet, recalling his dedication, integrity and commitment to serving the public.

The PM extended condolences to Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker, Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, the late lawmaker’s son, as well as the bereaved family, praying for strength and patience to bear the loss.

He said Channar’s loyalty, honesty and contributions to public service would be remembered for years to come.

The premier also prayed that Allah Almighty forgive the departed soul, grant him the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and bless the family with fortitude.

Lahore: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Saturday seized 1, 300 kilograms of counterfeit red chilli powder worth millions of rupees, sealed two food businesses registered a criminal case and imposed fines totaling Rs. 1 million during a crackdown against food adulteration in Lahore.

The operation, carried out on the directives of Chief Minister(CM), Maryam Nawaz Sharif was led by PFA Director General(DG) Raja Mansoor Ahmad, who supervised raids in Gulshan Ravi and Sundar Industrial Estate.

According to the authority, enforcement teams recovered counterfeit chilli powder prepared with substandard food colors and artificial flavours along with other adulterated food products intended for sale.

A warehouse in Gulshan Ravi was found storing fake chilli powder manufactured using poor-quality colours and flavours.

The premises were sealed, an FIR was registered against those responsible and the counterfeit stock was destroyed after laboratory tests declared it unfit for human consumption.

The PFA also disposed of adulterated food items, including fake chilli powder, substandard food colours, artificial flavours, meat, butter and flour to prevent them from reaching consumers.

Separately, the authority imposed cumulative fines of Rs. 1 million on an international beverage manufacturing plant and a restaurant for unhygienic conditions and violations of food safety regulations.

Speaking after the operation, Ahmad said the crackdown was part of the provincial government’s ongoing campaign against food adulteration and warned that no leniency would be shown to those involved in manufacturing or selling counterfeit and hazardous food products.

He said the authority would continue strict enforcement of food safety regulations and take legal action against adulteration, food fraud and the sale of substandard or expired products to protect public health.

Lahore: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday paid tribute to the security forces for successfully conducting an operation against terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan in Nushki district.

The premier commended the security forces for killing seven terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan during the operation. ‘Under the vision of Azm-i-Istehkam, the security forces are achieving remarkable successes in the fight against terrorism, ‘ he added.

Shehbaz Sharif stated ‘We are determined to completely eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country. ”

Lahore: The Punjab government on Saturday launched a coordinated crackdown on organised beggar mafias across the province, with Lahore selected as the first city to be made ‘beggar-free’ under a comprehensive anti-begging campaign.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi at the Home Department to review measures against organised vagrant networks. Senior officials from the Home, Social Welfare, Police, Punjab Safe Cities Authority, FIA, Health and School Education departments attended the meeting.

Chairing the meeting, Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi directed all relevant departments to implement a coordinated strategy to eliminate organised begging from Lahore in the first phase before expanding the campaign to other parts of the province.

He ordered a strict crackdown on professional beggars operating at public places and directed the Punjab Safe Cities Authority and Traffic Police to identify and dismantle the organised networks behind professional begging.

The meeting was informed that forcing individuals into begging is a non-bailable offence under the amended Punjab Vagrancy Ordinance, 1958, which provides enhanced legal provisions for action against organised begging networks.

The Home Secretary directed authorities to launch joint operations against gang leaders and handlers exploiting children, women and elderly persons for begging, stressing that effective prosecution should ensure exemplary punishment for those involved. He also ordered the use of modern technology, Safe Cities surveillance and human intelligence during the campaign, besides directing authorities to develop a comprehensive database of repeat offenders and identify hotspot locations for intelligence-led targeted operations.

Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi said the Punjab government was simultaneously strengthening welfare homes by expanding their capacity and improving facilities, including food, healthcare, accommodation, education for children and vocational training, to rehabilitate deserving and underprivileged individuals and help them become financially self-reliant.

He urged citizens to report professional beggar mafias through Police Helpline 15, assuring that the identity of informants would remain confidential.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Social Welfare Saira Omar, Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan, Director General Social Welfare Dr Shehnshah Faisal, Director General Probation and Parole Shahid Iqbal, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Burana, Additional Secretary Judicial Abdul Rauf, Chief Traffic Officer Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi, AIG Sarfraz Virk, Deputy Prosecutor General Dr Usman Iqbal, Director Civil Defence Punjab Tasneem Ali Khan and representatives of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, FIA, School Education Department and Health Department.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique on Saturday said the Punjab government has significantly enhanced the flood response capacity of Rescue 1122 by procuring state-of-the-art rescue equipment to tackle possible flood emergencies during the monsoon season.

Chairing a meeting to review monsoon preparedness, flood response measures and rescue capacity, the minister said the government had purchased modern jet skis, aluminum airboats, boat-carrying trucks, fiberglass boats, life jackets, surveillance drones, landing crafts, heavy-lifting drones, water rescue drones and advanced communication equipment for flood and rescue operations.

Secretary Emergency Services Department Dr. Rizwan Naseer gave a detailed briefing on recent monsoon-related emergencies, flood preparedness and the department’s operational readiness.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that, on the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Rescue 1122 had been equipped with the latest flood rescue resources to ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property.

“May Allah protect us from flood situations, but our preparation should be complete, ” he said, adding that instructions had been issued to ensure early warning systems in areas adjoining rivers in case of floods and heavy rainfall.

He stressed that providing timely, effective and safe rescue services to citizens during any emergency remained the government’s top priority.

Secretary Emergency Services Punjab Dr. Rizwan Naseer said that modern equipment, trained personnel and advance planning were key to conducting effective flood rescue operations. He added that the newly acquired resources had significantly strengthened the flood response capacity of Rescue 1122.

Dr. Rizwan Naseer and other Rescue 1122 officers attended the meeting through video link.