Month: August 2026

Lahore: Punjab Traffic Police on Sunday intensified its crackdown against traffic violators, directing field officers across the province to take action against vehicles and motorcycles with unpaid e-challans.

The drive has been launched on the instructions of DIG Traffic Punjab Muhammad Waqas Nazir, who ordered officers to verify vehicle records through the Traffic Police One application and ensure strict enforcement.

According to a traffic police spokesperson, action will also be taken against vehicles involved in excise token tax default, operating without route permits and those lacking valid fitness certificates.

The DIG directed officers to further tighten action against motorists driving without licences and commercial vehicles being operated without mandatory fitness certificates.

He said no concession would be given to violators and that enforcement operations would continue across all districts to improve road safety and maintain an organized traffic system.

Lahore: The annual Urs celebrations of Hazrat Usman Ali Al-Hajveri, popularly known as Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, commenced on Sunday with the traditional veil-draping ceremony at Data Darbar.

According to spokesperson, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the ceremony and performed the veil-draping ritual at the shrine.

Special prayers were offered for the country’s security, peace, stability and prosperity.

Punjab Minister Bilal Yasin, MPA Mian Marghoob Ahmed, Chairman Religious Affairs Committee Ali Dar and Auqaf Secretary Dr Ehsan Bhatta were among those who attended the ceremony.

Officials of the Auqaf Department, including Data Darbar Administrator Muhammad Ali Khan, Badshahi Mosque Administrator Shahid Hameed Virk, Deputy Director Auqaf Muhammad Yousuf and Manager Auqaf Hassan Rizwan, were also present.

The Auqaf Department said special arrangements had been made to facilitate devotees attending the Urs.

A series of religious, spiritual and cultural programs will be held during the three-day celebrations.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister(CM), Maryam Nawaz Sharif has paid rich tribute to Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri (RA) on the occasion of his 983rd annual Urs and extended heartfelt greetings to devotees and pilgrims on the commencement of the three-day celebrations.

In her message on Sunday, the CM directed the authorities concerned to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the Urs and emphasized that maximum attention should be given to the comfort and convenience of pilgrims visiting the revered shrine.

She instructed officials to uphold the longstanding tradition of extending warm hospitality to devotees and said the provision of langar and sabeel should be made more accessible to facilitate visitors.

Maryam Nawaz also ordered the authorities to ensure effective traffic management around Data Darbar to provide smooth access for pilgrims throughout the Urs.

‘The pilgrims visiting the Urs are our honoured guests and should not face any inconvenience, ‘she said.

Praying for the nation, the CM Maryam Nawaz said, ‘May Almighty Allah grant us the ability to follow the teachings of our great saints. ‘

Lahore: Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar inaugurated the 983rd annual Urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri (RA), popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) by performing the traditional chadar-laying ceremony and inaugurating the milk sabeel at Data Darbar, here on Sunday.

He also unveiled the Punjab Auqaf Department’s special publication titled ‘Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA), Kamlaan Ra Rahnuma’ and highlighted the enduring relevance of the saint’s teachings of love, tolerance, justice, brotherhood and service to humanity.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the deputy prime minister said Pakistan was established to uphold the golden principles of Islam and the sovereignty of Almighty Allah, adding that the country’s great Sufi saints had spread these values through their character, knowledge and spiritual guidance.

He said the annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) was not only a major spiritual gathering but also an effective platform for promoting Islamic values, national unity and Muslim brotherhood.

The ceremony was attended by Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister Ali Dar, Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Bilal Yasin, Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Senior Member Board of Revenue Nabeel Javed, Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab Dr Ehsan Bhutta, Secretary Excise Masood Mukhtar, Lahore Commissioner Nauman Yousaf, Director General Religious Affairs Hafiz Anees-ur-Rehman, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Ali Ejaz, senior officials of the Auqaf Department, NESPAK and other administrative and security agencies.

Following the chadar-laying ceremony, floral tributes were offered at the shrine while Khateeb of Jamia Masjid Data Darbar Allama Mukhtar Ahmad Nadeem led a special prayer.

Renowned Qaris recited the Holy Quran, naat reciters presented devotional poetry in praise of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and qawwal groups presented manqabats and salaam.

The deputy prime minister later received a detailed briefing from officials of the Communication and Works Department and NESPAK on the Data Darbar expansion project, including progress on infrastructure development and measures aimed at improving facilities for pilgrims.

Senator Ishaq Dar appreciated the Punjab government’s comprehensive arrangements for the Urs, describing the service of millions of devotees as a great religious responsibility.

He commended the provincial administration for ensuring foolproof security, cleanliness, medical facilities, traffic management and other arrangements, while particularly praising Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab Dr. Ehsan Bhutta and his team for their dedicated efforts.

On the occasion, Adviser to the Chief Minister Ali Dar said the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) remained a symbol of peace, spirituality and harmony in the subcontinent.

He said the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was utilising all available resources to provide pilgrims with safe, dignified and quality facilities.

Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab Dr Ehsan Bhutta said all arrangements for the Urs had been completed well in time under the continuous supervision of the Punjab chief secretary.

He said the department’s foremost priority was serving devotees and promoting the teachings of love, tolerance, brotherhood and public welfare associated with the great Sufi saints.

He said comprehensive arrangements had been finalised, including security, langar, sabeel, medical services, sanitation, parking, traffic management, control rooms and guidance centres to facilitate pilgrims arriving from across Pakistan and abroad.

Authorities implemented a triple-layer security plan for the opening ceremony. The Data Darbar complex was thoroughly searched in coordination with law enforcement agencies, armed police personnel were deployed on surrounding high-rise buildings, and security was strengthened through walk-through gates, surveillance systems and enhanced monitoring. Officials from the Tourism Department were also deployed to assist in managing the inaugural ceremony.

Four major spiritual and scholarly gatherings were held on the opening day, including a Mehfil-e-Husn-e-Qiraat after Zuhr prayers featuring renowned Quran reciters.

The three-day Urs celebrations will continue with large numbers of devotees visiting the shrine to offer floral tributes and chadars.

The shrine complex also witnessed traditional dhamaal, zikr and salaam gatherings, along with the distribution of langar, creating an atmosphere of spiritual devotion and brotherhood.

The Auqaf Department announced that the Mehafil-e-Samaa will commence at 10:00 a. m. on August 3 at Rashid Events Complex, Bilal Ganj, Lahore, and will continue for two days with performances by renowned qawwals from across the country.

Lahore: To prevent the increasing number of traffic accidents in the city, the City Traffic Police Lahore has decided to conduct a complete check of the drivers of commercial and public service vehicles.

An important meeting was held under the chairmanship of CTO Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi regarding the prevention of accidents, in which orders were issued to check the criminal records, driving history and license records of public service and commercial drivers. In the meeting, the SP Headquarters was also given a special task of finding out the causes of accidents and possible measures to prevent them.

According to CTO Lahore, the number of commercial vehicles in Lahore is about five percent of the total registered vehicles, however, the role of these vehicles in fatal traffic accidents has come to light up to 48 percent. He directed that no transport union should provide a vehicle to a driver without a character certificate.

Drivers involved in crimes or repeated accidents will be kept away from driving. Abdul Rahim Shirazi said that drivers responsible for accidents as well as elements supporting them will be held accountable.

The licenses of all commercial and public service vehicle drivers will also be checked, while action will be taken against those driving without valid licenses. He said that a comprehensive strategy has been implemented to reduce commercial vehicle accidents in Lahore and strict monitoring has been started to eliminate the major causes of accidents.

CTO Lahore said that no compromise will be made on road safety and a zero-tolerance policy will be adopted against those who violate traffic rules.

Lahore: Federal Interior, Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday paid a surprise visit to the 24/7 NADRA Mega Center at Shimla Pahari and expressed satisfaction over the significant improvement in public service delivery.

He said that citizens’ trust and satisfaction were the true benchmarks of any public institution’s success.

During the visit, the minister inspected various service counters and reviewed arrangements made for applicants seeking Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), Family Registration Certificates (FRCs) and other NADRA documents.

He interacted with citizens waiting for their turn and inquired about the processing time, quality of services and overall facilities being provided at the center.

The citizens informed the minister that the previous situation of overcrowding, long queues and hours-long waiting had been eliminated, adding that they were now being served within minutes. Several visitors said they received their token and reached the counter within five minutes without facing any inconvenience.

An elderly citizen appreciated the cooperative attitude of the staff, saying his work was completed within a few minutes, while an elderly woman offered prayers for the minister and the NADRA staff for ensuring respectful and efficient public service.

Mohsin Naqvi also met the staff at different counters and directed them to continue extending courteous guidance to applicants, particularly regarding the required documents, so that citizens could complete their applications without unnecessary delays or repeated visits.

During the inspection, two citizens seeking Family Registration Certificates brought their issues to the minister’s notice.

He immediately issued on-the-spot directions to the officials concerned for their prompt resolution.

Some visitors also complained about overcharging by the parking contractor outside the NADRA center.

The minister took notice of the complaints and directed the relevant authorities to address the issue in accordance with the prescribed parking fee.

He further directed NADRA to streamline the system for accessing the track record of FRCs to facilitate citizens and improve service efficiency.

Recalling his previous visit to the center, Mohsin Naqvi said the latest public feedback was highly encouraging and reflected the institution’s improved performance.

He said that ensuring citizens’ convenience and dignity remained the government’s priority.

The interior minister also commended the Chairman NADRA and the entire team for their dedicated efforts and improved performance, saying the positive public response was a testament to their commitment to delivering efficient and citizen-friendly services.