Day: August 2, 2026

Lahore: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan on Saturday assumed charge as the acting governor Punjab in the absence of Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan.

Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar would act as Speaker Punjab Assembly and a notification has been issued by the PA Secretariat to this effect.

Governor Punjab Sardar proceeded on a 10-day visit to Iraq and Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan will take over constitutional role as head of the province in the former’s absence.

Lahore: Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi on Saturday ordered departmental action against 10 traffic inspectors, including withholding their annual promotions for one year, over unsatisfactory enforcement of traffic laws, particularly helmet compliance, while dismissing a traffic warden from service on charges of misconduct.

According to a City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) spokesperson, the disciplinary action was taken after the CTO inspected various traffic sectors across the city to review enforcement performance and traffic management.

The spokesperson said sector in-charges of Anarkali, Mozang, Garhi Shahu and Niaz Baig were awarded departmental punishments for weak helmet enforcement, while sector in-charges of Sherakot and Manga Mandi were issued warnings and directed to improve their performance.

The CTO said violations of helmet rules, one-way traffic, lane discipline and underage driving would not be tolerated under any circumstances, adding that officers had been directed to ensure uniform enforcement across the city.

He said helmet compliance on Lahore’s model roads had reached 97. 11 per cent, while compliance stood at 98. 83 per cent on Davis Road, 98. 81 per cent at Faisal Chowk, 98. 63 per cent near Doctors Hospital, 97. 53 per cent at Canal View and 97. 23 per cent at Avari Hotel Chowk.

Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said the increased use of helmets had reduced head trauma cases by up to 40 per cent. He noted that motorcyclists were involved in 73 per cent of fatal road accidents and stressed that strict enforcement was intended to protect human lives rather than generate revenue through fines.

He said that CTPL would continue taking strict action against negligence in enforcement while ensuring greater compliance with traffic laws to improve road safety across the provincial capital.

Lahore: Parks and Horticulture Agency (PHA) Lahore Managing Director Ahmad Usman Javed on Saturday said the agency was committed to transforming Lahore into a greener, cleaner, more beautiful and financially self-sustaining city in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Chairing a performance review meeting at the PHA Headquarters here, the managing director reviewed the agency’s operational performance, development projects, financial affairs and future strategy. The meeting was attended by Additional Managing Director Tasleem Akhtar Rao, Director Finance Ahmed Saeed Manj, Director Marketing Naeem Afzal, Director Coordination Farah Diba, directors of the Horticulture Wing and other senior officers.

During the meeting, senior officers presented detailed briefings on ongoing development schemes, financial management, marketing initiatives, horticulture operations and administrative matters.

Addressing the participants, Ahmad Usman Javed said PHA Lahore was responsible for the maintenance, beautification and management of 808 small and large parks across the provincial capital. He directed officers to ensure high standards of cleanliness, landscaping, maintenance and quality recreational facilities in all parks. He said teamwork, professionalism, dedication and mutual cooperation were essential for improving the authority’s performance and delivering better public services.

The managing director reiterated that beautifying Lahore and promoting environmental sustainability remained the authority’s top priority under the chief minister’s vision. He directed the Marketing and Horticulture Wings to work in close coordination to improve operational efficiency and achieve organisational goals.

He also instructed officers to enhance the authority’s own-source revenues through effective planning, efficient utilisation of resources, innovative marketing strategies and modern management practices to strengthen PHA’s financial sustainability.

MD Ahmad Usman Javed further directed officials to strengthen PHA’s branding and public outreach so that its services, achievements and development initiatives could be effectively communicated to the public. He also emphasised the timely completion of all ongoing development projects to provide improved recreational facilities and a better urban environment for the citizens of Lahore.

Concluding the meeting, the managing director urged officers to perform their duties with integrity, professionalism and dedication to further improve public services and contribute to making Lahore greener and more beautiful in accordance with the Punjab government’s vision.

Lahore: The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday arrested 54 suspected terrorists during 419 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted across the province as part of its ongoing campaign against terrorism, extremism and anti-state activities.

According to a CTD spokesperson, the operations were carried out on the basis of actionable intelligence in various districts.

During the crackdown, 422 suspects were interrogated while 54 individuals allegedly affiliated with different proscribed organisations were taken into custody.

Investigations was underway to identify their networks and facilitators.

The spokesperson claimed that some of the arrested suspects had alleged links with India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Those identified included Waris Khan and Danish Ali, arrested from Lahore and Roz Ali Khan, Wilayat Shah and Muhammad Aziz arrested from Okara.

The spokesperson said further investigations were continuing in accordance with the law.

The remaining suspects were alleged to be associated with various banned organizations, including Daesh, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-e-Sahaba and Fitna Al Khawarij.

Arrests were made from Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur, Okara and other districts.

The CTD said the operations led to the recovery of 7. 9 kilograms of explosive material, 12 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 50 detonators, 98 feet of safety fuse wire, two pistols, three rifles, a quantity of ammunition, 120 pamphlets, 72 banned books, 31 prohibited magazines, 112 stickers, two flags, one receipt book, eight mobile phones and Rs. 339, 880 in cash.

Separately, the department said that in coordination with district police and other law enforcement agencies, it conducted 13, 572 combing operations across Punjab over the past eight weeks.

The operations involved the screening of 494, 642 individuals, resulting in the arrest of 1, 103 suspects, registration of 1, 070 criminal cases and recovery of 977 items.

The CTD said operations against terrorists, their facilitators and anti-state elements would continue with greater intensity.

It urged citizens to report suspicious activity through its helpline, 0800-11111, saying timely public cooperation remained essential for preventing terrorist incidents and ensuring public safety.

Lahore: The City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) on Saturday announced a comprehensive traffic management plan for the three-day 983rd annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri (RA), deploying more than 900 traffic wardens and imposing diversions around Data Darbar to facilitate devotees and ensure smooth traffic flow.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said the arrangements would be supervised by SSP City Zone Maqsood Loon, with five DSPs, 111 traffic inspectors and over 900 wardens deployed across the city. Fifteen forklifts and four breakdown vehicles have also been stationed at key points to prevent congestion caused by illegal parking while five designated parking stands have been established for visitors.

The CTO said several roads surrounding Data Darbar would remain closed due to security arrangements.

These include routes from Kachehri Chowk, Bhati Chowk and Pir Makki towards the shrine while Lower Mall Road from District Courts Chowk to the Pir Makki U-turn will remain closed to all traffic.

Under the diversion plan, traffic from Shahdara heading towards Lower Mall will be redirected via Azadi Chowk to the Railway Station while vehicles from Shahdara will also be diverted through Niazi Shaheed Chowk towards Bund Road and Saggian.

Motorists approaching Lower Mall from Chouburji Chowk will be diverted through MAO College.

Traffic from the Inner Circular Road will be allowed to travel via Mori Gate, Urdu Bazaar and Kachehri Road. However, entry to Lower Mall will remain restricted from District Courts Chowk, the DIG Operations Office corner, Government College University gate, Rattigan Chowk, Bilal Ganj Chowk, Beri Wala Chowk, Mori Gate, Taxali Chowk and Azadi Chowk.

Commuters travelling from Shahdara to Upper Mall have been advised to use the Railway Station and Press Club route while those travelling from Chouburji and PMG Chowk towards Ravi Road should use the Saggian Ring Road as an alternative.

Special arrangements have also been made for milk supply vehicles, handcarts and rickshaws which will be allowed access to Sabeels through Azadi Flyover and Pir Makki in accordance with the traffic plan.

CTO Shirazi said traffic updates and alternative routes would be shared through the Rasta FM radio service and the Rasta mobile application.

He urged citizens to follow traffic advisories and contact Police Helpline 15 for assistance during the Urs.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique on Saturday said the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore would provide world-class healthcare facilities to the people of the region and become a landmark institution for the treatment of heart diseases.

He was chairing a meeting at the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, held on the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, to review the progress of the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore.

The meeting comprehensively reviewed the project’s progress, the ongoing recruitment process for various posts, and measures being taken to make the institute operational for the public at the earliest.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said the institute would soon become fully operational, offering modern healthcare facilities to heart patients. He added that the Punjab government was committed to providing the best possible cardiac care across the province, and the new institution would significantly strengthen specialized treatment services.

Chairman Board of Governors Dr. Farqad Alamgir said patients would receive medical treatment at international standards. He expressed confidence that the hospital would soon be operational with highly qualified human resources and state-of-the-art biomedical equipment.

Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mahmood said the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology would prove to be a game changer for cardiac healthcare in Punjab, adding that providing quality medical facilities to patients in public hospitals remained the government’s top priority.

Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors Dr. Farqad Alamgir, Additional Secretary Technical Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Waseem and Hospital Director Dr. Sabrina Jamil attended the meeting, while Health Economist Dr. Muhammad Adnan Khan participated through video link.