Month: August 2026

Lahore: The Punjab Communications and Works (CandW) Department has launched emergency road restoration operations across the province following heavy rains, with field formations placed on 24-hour alert to ensure safe and uninterrupted travel.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Provincial Minister for Communications and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bherth, which was attended by Secretary Communications and Works Raja Jahangir Anwar, chief engineers and field formations of the department, while district officers participated via video link.

The meeting reviewed the situation arising from rainwater accumulation, rain cuts and damage to roads across Punjab. Addressing the participants, Bherth said that, on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, ensuring safe and uninterrupted travel for the public remains the department’s top priority.

The meeting decided to continue emergency repairs of rain cuts, road cracks and damaged road berms. Officials informed the meeting tha
t restoration work is under way in Lahore, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Nankana Sahib, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Khushab, Hafizabad and Bahawalpur. Departmental teams have also been deployed in Muridke, Bandi Gali, Pindi Point, Attock and other affected areas.

The provincial minister directed officers to ensure immediate safety measures and effective traffic management on roads affected by landslides, floodwater and rain cuts. Officials said the damaged section of Pindi Point Road has been secured with barriers and safety tape. In Attock, a temporary diversion has been established to maintain traffic flow on a road affected by floodwater from Kamrial Dam, while machinery has been dispatched to restore the link road damaged by flooding in Nala Banhan.

The meeting was also informed that operations are continuing in Bahawalpur and Yazman to remove fallen trees, repair rain cuts, restore canal breaches and drain water from roadsides.

Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bherth directed all field officers to continuously
monitor the road network and report developments without delay. He said comprehensive safety measures have been put in place to keep traffic moving smoothly, adding that all field formations of the Communications and Works Department will remain on round-the-clock alert to respond promptly to any emergency during the monsoon season.

Lahore: Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said on Saturday Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan and urged the PML-N workers to perform their polling day responsibilities with dedication during the ongoing Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections.

Addressing a PML-N workers’ convention in PP-172, Rana Mashhood said the party was synonymous with performance and development, adding that it had consistently delivered on its commitments and provided opportunities for young people to play a meaningful role in national progress.

He said the youth were the nation’s greatest strength and criticised remarks by the federal interior minister describing young people as “cockroaches, ” asserting that Pakistan’s youth should instead be regarded as the country’s frontline force.

The chairman said the PML-N had worked in every sector for Pakistan’s stability and prosperity and stressed that democracy remained the only path to the country’s sustainable development. He said a system established through the power of the vote was the strongest system.

Referring to regional and national affairs, Rana Mashhood said India continued to pursue anti-Pakistan policies, but the nation had demonstrated its unity and strength under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He said the entire nation stood united under the green crescent flag.

He said the development journey initiated by former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Punjab was being carried forward by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Highlighting the country’s economic situation, he said the government had saved Pakistan from default through prudent policies and hard work, adding that the country’s economy was stabilising and international ratings were improving. He expressed confidence that the governments of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz would complete their constitutional five-year terms.

He also said Pakistan had played a mediatory role during the Iran-US conflict and noted that the conflict had temporarily pushed up oil prices across the region.

Earlier, polling duties were assigned to party workers for the second phase of AJK elections. The convention was attended by Javed Sarwar Bhatti, Mian Adnan Sanaullah, Malik Zeeshan, Syed Imran Ali Shah, Yameen Mughal, Akbar, Mian Waleed, Hafiz Zohaib, Rana Naushad, Dr Fauji, Azhar Chaudhry, Riaz Mughal and other party leaders and workers.

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.