Month: August 2026

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Law Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan on Sunday hailed the Rahim Yar Khan police for the safe recovery of abducted student Majid Aslam, saying the swift action of law-enforcement agencies reflected their professionalism and commitment to protecting citizens.

The minister congratulated District Police Officer (DPO) Rahim Yar Khan and the entire police team on the successful operation, appreciating their prompt response, vigilance and professional handling of the case that resulted in the student’s safe recovery.

He said the police carried out their responsibilities with dedication and efficiency, adding that the successful operation was a testament to their coordinated efforts and deserved appreciation.

Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan also congratulated Majid Aslam’s parents and family, saying the student’s safe return had brought immense relief after a difficult ordeal. He commended the police for acting promptly to ensure the recovery and restore the family’s confidence.

The minister said that, under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provincial government accords the highest priority to the protection of the lives and property of citizens. He said all law enforcement agencies remain fully committed to maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety and taking effective measures to safeguard people across the province.

Lahore: SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President, Iftikhar Ali Malik on Sunday said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia shared a strong and enduring relationship that had stood the test of time and should now be translated into greater economic cooperation.

In a statement, he said Pakistan highly valued its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, describing it as an important partner in promoting regional peace, stability and economic development.

He said Saudi Arabia played a vital role in Pakistan’s energy security as a major supplier of oil and petroleum products, adding that uninterrupted and affordable energy supplies were essential for industrial growth, exports, employment generation and macroeconomic stability.

Iftikhar Malik said Saudi investors should be provided with attractive and transparent investment opportunities in Pakistan, while Pakistani entrepreneurs should be facilitated in expanding business links with their Saudi counterparts.

He said enhanced bilateral trade and investment would create new opportunities for businesses in both countries and contribute to sustainable economic development.

He added that Pakistan deeply appreciated Saudi Arabia’s longstanding support and goodwill and expressed confidence that bilateral trade and investment would grow significantly in the coming years.

Lahore: Coordinator to the Federal Tax Ombudsman Saif-Ur-Rehman on Sunday called for the establishment of a nationwide network of modern hi-tech grain silos to strengthen scientific storage facilities, reduce billions of rupees in post-harvest losses and ensure long-term food security.

Talking to a delegation of growers here, he said Pakistan, as an agriculture-based economy could not afford the continued wastage of valuable food commodities due to inadequate storage facilities, poor handling practices and outdated preservation methods.

He stressed that investment in modern grain storage infrastructure should be treated as a national economic priority to safeguard food supplies, stabilize market availability and protect farmers from distress sales.

Saif-Ur-Rehman said the proposed network of hi-tech silos, equipped with temperature and humidity control systems, automated monitoring and modern fumigation technology would help preserve the quality and nutritional value of wheat, rice, maize and other agricultural commodities for extended periods.

He urged the government to develop a comprehensive public-private partnership framework to attract both domestic and foreign investment in the storage sector.

He also called on banks and financial institutions to provide affordable long-term financing for the development of modern storage infrastructure across the country.

The coordinator said reducing post-harvest losses would enhance food availability, save valuable foreign exchange, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural supply chain.

Lahore: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed a water filtration and juice production plant in the Jamber area on Multan Road after laboratory tests found harmful bacteria in water and juice samples, officials said on Sunday.

PFA Director General(DG), Raja Mansoor Ahmad said food safety teams took action during an operation conducted along a 65km stretch of Multan Road. The teams also discarded 720 liters of mango juice after the product failed laboratory analysis.

According to PFA, the facility was found producing and storing food items in unhygienic conditions. Inspectors reported poor storage arrangements, the presence of flies and cockroaches and inadequate sanitation measures at the premises.

Raja Mansoor Ahmad said the use of substandard raw materials and violations of food safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) were serious offenses that endangered public health.

He added that the authority was continuing enforcement operations across Punjab on the directions of Chief Minister (CM)Maryam Nawaz Sharif to ensure the supply of safe and quality food to consumers.

The PFA urged citizens to report complaints related to food safety through its helpline 1223 for immediate action.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday paid a rich tribute to Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri on the 983rd annual Urs. She congratulated the devotees on the start of 3-day urs celebrations. Maryam Nawaz directed that comprehensive arrangements be ensured on the occasion of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh’s Urs and attention be paid to the convenience of devotees participating in the Urs.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that for better service to the pilgrims, the provision of langar and sabil should be facilitated. She ordered the best traffic arrangements around Data Darbar.

Lahore: Metro bus service has been partially suspended in Lahore as part of security arrangements for the annual Urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri, here on Sunday.

According to officials, metro bus stations between MAO College and Shahdara have been closed for passengers while operations from Gajumata to MAO College remain unaffected.

The Speedo bus service operating on the MAO College-Shahdara route has also been restricted due to security measures. Meanwhile, the Orange Line Metro Train service was continuing as normal, with trains operating between Ali Town and Dera Gujran without interruption.