Month: August 2026

Lahore: Punjab Home Department on Friday said that 139,902 illegally residing Afghan nationals had been repatriated from the province as part of the government’s ongoing drive against illegal foreign nationals.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the Foreign National Security Cell continued to coordinate and monitor the repatriation campaign across the province in line with the federal government’s policy.

The spokesperson said around 2.66 million Afghan nationals had so far been repatriated from Pakistan, including 139,902 from Punjab.

He said illegally residing Afghan nationals were being apprehended and shifted to holding centers, where temporary accommodation, registration, and documentation formalities were completed before their repatriation through the Torkham border crossing.

Currently, 39 holding centers are operational across the province, where 284 Afghan nationals are being housed. They will be repatriated after the completion of the required procedures, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said that, under the government’s policy, the stay of Afghan nationals in Pakistan without a valid visa was illegal. He added that inspections had been carried out in residential areas and markets across the province as part of the ongoing crackdown.

He urged citizens to report the illegal stay of Afghan nationals, identity fraud or any suspicious activity by calling the Police Emergency Helpline 15, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential.

The spokesperson clarified that the ongoing action was being taken only against illegally residing foreign nationals, while the Punjab Home Department’s Foreign National Security Cell continued to oversee and coordinate the repatriation process across the province.

Lahore: The Suthra Punjab Authority, in collaboration with the district administration, has intensified sanitation and relief operations in flood-affected areas under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Suthra Punjab vision.

According to a press release issued here on Friday, Suthra Punjab Authority Director General Umer Javed, visited a flood relief camp in Ferozewala to review sanitation services and assess field arrangements made for public relief. During the visit, DG inspected the performance of Suthra Punjab workers deployed on sanitation duties and directed the relevant officers to remain present in the field to ensure strict monitoring of ongoing cleaning operations.

He also instructed officials to further improve cleanliness operations, strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure the uninterrupted provision of quality sanitation services to residents in flood-hit areas.

Umer Javed said the district administration and the Suthra Punjab Authority were working round the clock to maintain sanitation and provide relief in flood-affected localities. He added that all available resources were being utilised to facilitate the affected communities.

He also met Suthra Punjab’s frontline workers in Ferozewala and commended their dedication and commitment to operational activities and public service, encouraging them to continue their efforts in serving flood-affected communities.

Lahore: On the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee for Disaster Management Khawaja Salman Rafique, along with Director General Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Saif Anwar Jappa, paid a detailed visit to the flood-affected areas of Muridke on Friday to review ongoing rescue and relief operations.

During the visit, the provincial minister inspected a flood relief camp and reviewed measures being taken for the rehabilitation and assistance of affected families. Teams of the Punjab Health Department and Suthra Punjab were actively engaged in relief work across the affected areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said relief activities were continuing at full pace in the flood-hit areas. He said Federal Minister Rana Tanveer and PML-N leader Ashraf Rasool were also actively present in the field and maintaining close coordination to ensure effective relief efforts.

He said cabinet members, commissioners and deputy commissioners were personally visiting Muridke, Pathan Colony, Ferozewala and adjoining areas to monitor rescue and relief operations. He added that ready-to-eat food was being delivered to citizens at their doorsteps in the affected localities.

The minister said flood relief camps and medical camps had been established to facilitate affected people, while ration bags were being distributed among flood-hit families. He added that green fodder, todi and vanda were also being provided for livestock to support farmers.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said all essential medicines and basic facilities had been ensured at the relief camps. He reaffirmed that the government was making every effort to provide uninterrupted food supplies, clean drinking water, healthcare services and other essential facilities to flood victims.

He said the district administration, Rescue 1122 and all relevant departments remained fully active in the field, adding that all institutions were on high alert and relief operations were continuing without interruption in the affected areas.

Lahore: The University of Education (UE) Lahore concluded its two-day flagship research conference, ‘Resurgence 2026,’ with a renewed commitment to promoting research, innovation and entrepreneurship, while inaugurating the University’s Business Incubation Centre (BIC) to support student-led startups.

The concluding ceremony was attended by Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lahore Sun Yun as the chief guest. Secretary Special Education, vice chancellors of various universities, representatives of academia and industry, faculty members, researchers and students also participated in the event.

During the two-day conference, researchers presented studies, policy recommendations and startup ideas in the fields of Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), science and other emerging disciplines, focusing on challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving global landscape.

The chief guest inaugurated the UE Business Incubation Centre, established to nurture entrepreneurial talent, provide mentorship and networking opportunities, and help students transform innovative ideas into sustainable business ventures.

The university also honoured more than 30 researchers with certificates and shields in recognition of their outstanding contributions to research and innovation.

Addressing the ceremony, Sun Yun said the University of Education had earned a distinguished position in Pakistan’s higher education sector through its achievements in research, innovation and knowledge creation. He said the presence of Chinese students at the university reflected the growing educational and research partnership between Pakistan and China and appreciated the institution’s efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation through higher education.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Aqif Anwar Chaudhry highlighted the university’s research achievements over the past year, saying the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC) and faculty members had demonstrated outstanding performance in advancing research and innovation.

He said 14 faculty members of the university had been included among the world’s top two per cent scientists, describing it as a landmark achievement for the institution. He added that the university had also secured prominent positions in national and international rankings, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence.

The vice chancellor said the newly established BIC would promote entrepreneurship and commercialisation by enabling students to develop innovative ideas into successful business ventures. He added that the University of Education, with campuses in seven cities of Punjab, remained committed to providing affordable, modern and quality education across the province.

The conference concluded with a pledge to strengthen research collaborations, encourage innovation and promote entrepreneurship to address national and global challenges. A large number of researchers, faculty members, students and industry representatives attended the event.

Lahore: Drizzle was recorded at isolated locations in the provincial capital on Friday, however Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more monsoon rains till Tuesday, with occasional breaks.

According to a spokesperson of Pakistan Meteorological Department, rain-wind/thundershowers (with scattered heavy falls at times very heavy) is expected in Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpurthal, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Pakpattan till 04th August with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thundershowers (with scattered heavy falls) is expected in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur till 03rd August with occasional gaps.

Lahore: The School Education Department has started working on issuing unique IDs for 15 million students studying in government schools and creating a unified data system.

Through this system, tracking of students will be possible, while basic information including their pass or fail, class, age, health and city of residence will be available with a single click.

According to officials, the unique ID of the students will remain intact even in case of changing schools, which will preserve the educational records.

The Secretary School Education says that this unified system is being introduced to make the administrative system and educational standards more effective.

According to the department, in the first phase, a unique ID will be created for students of government schools, while later a unique ID will be mandatory for students of private educational institutions as well.

Mudassar Riaz further said that the implementation of this project will be done after the approval of the Chief Minister of Punjab.