Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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CTO announces license suspension for drivers of smoke-emitting vehicles


Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi on Friday announced that the driving licenses of motorists operating smoke-emitting vehicles would be suspended as part of intensified measures to curb smog and air pollution in the provincial capital.



The CTO said route permits of commercial vehicles found violating anti-smog regulations would also be suspended, stressing that stringent measures were essential to safeguard public health and ensure environmental protection.



He said the entry of tractor-trolleys and dumpers carrying sand and soil without protective tarpaulin remained banned in Lahore.



According to the spokesperson, as part of the ongoing crackdown, 1,013 cases had been registered against violators.



To enforce the anti-smog campaign, CTPL had deployed special teams at 12 entry and exit points of the city, in addition to 45 dedicated enforcement teams carrying out inspections and action across Lahore.



The spokesperson said action was taken against 3,649 smoke-emitting vehicles and 2,183 vehicles causing environmental pollution during the current month. Moreover, 6,820 unfit and poorly maintained vehicles were proceeded against for violating traffic and environmental regulations.



Abdul Raheem Shirazi said tractor-trolleys would not be allowed to operate without tarpaulin, water sprinkling or other mandatory safety measures to prevent the spread of dust and pollution.



He added that the traffic police were also using an artificial intelligence-based system to detect and issue e-challans to smoke-emitting vehicles.



The CTO said notices had been issued to various government and semi-government organisations to ensure the repair of smoke-emitting vehicles, warning that strict legal action would now be taken against those failing to comply.



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Over 4.84m driving licenses issued across province


Lahore: Punjab Police issued more than 4.843 million driving licenses across the province during the current year as part of efforts to improve compliance with traffic laws and promote road safety.



According to spokesperson on Friday, more than 5.83 million traffic challans had been issued for violations of traffic rules, resulting in fines exceeding Rs 11.16 billion.



As part of the anti-smog campaign, traffic police also issued challans to 45,881 smoke-emitting vehicles, impounded 6,871 vehicles at police stations and confiscated the fitness certificates of 28 vehicles, the spokesperson added.



Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem directed all field formations to continue strict enforcement against traffic law violators and ensure effective implementation of amended traffic laws, reforms and modern traffic management systems.



He ordered the continuation of the crackdown against overloading, overspeeding, underage drivers and one-way traffic violations, directing officers to take strict and indiscriminate action against offenders.



The IGP also instructed the authorities concerned to adopt effective measures for the recovery of outstanding traffic fines from defaulters, reiterating that ensuring road safety through effective enforcement of traffic laws remained a key priority of Punjab Police.



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RPO chairs RPCC meeting to review law and order, crime prevention


Rawalpindi: Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Babar Sarfraz Alpa on Friday held the monthly meeting of the Regional Police Coordination Committee (RPCC) to review the law and order situation and measures to curb crime across the region, while directing foolproof security arrangements for Chehlum processions and religious gatherings as well as the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections.



The RPO directed all district police and units to strengthen coordination and upgrade policing in line with modern requirements to ensure effective law enforcement.



He also ordered enhanced security for Chinese nationals, other foreign citizens, CPEC projects, and key installations, directing officers to conduct daily inspections and warning that negligence would not be tolerated.



Babar Sarfraz Alpa instructed supervisory officers to personally monitor investigations into cases involving women and children and ensure the early disposal of pending cases.



He also directed police to intensify efforts to arrest proclaimed offenders, trace absconding suspects in cases with incomplete challans, and improve investigations to secure convictions.



The meeting also decided to intensify the crackdown on illegally residing foreigners and stressed strict implementation of the Tenancy Act through the effective use of the Hotel Eye and Travel Eye software systems.



The RPO further ordered tighter security at inter-provincial and riverine checkpoints and called for increased search, combing, intelligence-based operations, and snap checking across the region.



Emphasizing the force’s commitment to public safety, Babar Sarfraz Alpa said protecting the lives and property of citizens remained the top priority of Rawalpindi Region Police, adding that the force was fully prepared to respond to any untoward situation.



He said the RPCC had significantly improved coordination among law enforcement and other institutions, further strengthening policing across the region.



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Interview dates for head teacher candidates announced


Lahore: Interview dates for candidates who passed the merit-based head teacher test have been announced. According to the School Education Department, the interviews will be held on August 4 and 5 at PECTA Head Office, Lahore.



A 9-member panel will conduct interviews for the candidates who pass the test, which will include Additional Secretary Schools Athar Saeed, Farooq Qamar, Muhammad Ijaz Joya, Naveed Deraat, Zahida Batool and Abdul Waheed Raza, among other officers.



According to the department, the candidates who are declared successful in the interview will be appointed as OPS heads in various government schools.



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PPL discovers gas, condensate at Shah Bandar Block in Sindh


Karachi: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced a new gas and condensate discovery at its exploratory well Rahi X-1 in the Shah Bandar Block, located in Sujawal district of Sindh.



According to a press release issued on Friday, the discovery marks the fourth consecutive hydrocarbon find made by PPL as the operator of the Shah Bandar Block.



PPL holds a 63 per cent working interest in the block, while Mari Energies Limited has a 32 per cent stake. Sindh Energy Holding Company Limited and Government Holdings (Private) Limited each hold a 2.5 per cent working interest.



The statement said the Rahi X-1 exploratory well was spudded on June 17, 2026 and drilled to a measured depth of 2,612 metres to assess the hydrocarbon potential of the Upper Sands of the Lower Goru Formation.



Based on drilling results and interpretation of wireline log data, a hydrocarbon-bearing zone was identified and subsequently tested through a cased-hole drill stem test (DST).



During testing, the well produced 0.493 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd) and 12 barrels of condensate per day at a wellhead flowing pressure of 133 pounds per square inch through a 32/64-inch choke from the A-Sand of the Lower Goru Upper Sands.



PPL said the discovery reflected its continued commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s energy security through accelerated exploration and development activities.



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Monsoon rains: water drainage restored across low-lying areas, traffic reopened on all roads


Islamabad: Following monsoon rains in the federal capital, the district administration launched a citywide response to address flooding in low-lying areas.



Acting on the directions of Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yousaf, Assistant Commissioners remained in the field while drainage operations continued across residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and major roads.



Authorities reported that flooding in affected areas had been brought under control and traffic flow had been restored on all roads. The Islamabad district administration remained on high alert after monsoon rainfall triggered water accumulation in several low-lying parts of the city.



Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yousaf supervised the situation through real-time monitoring of drainage operations and coordinated field activities with Assistant Commissioners and sanitation teams.



According to the administration, drainage work was carried out in various sectors and vulnerable locations where rainwater had collected. Teams worked continuously to remove standing water and prevent disruptions to daily movement. Officials said the situation in low-lying areas was brought under control after timely intervention by field staff.



Traffic movement, which had been affected in some locations due to water accumulation, was restored after drainage operations cleared roads and key routes. Additional sanitation workers were deployed in response to complaints regarding standing water in different parts of the city.



Sahibzada Yousaf said drainage activities were continuing across Islamabad to ensure that rainwater was removed from all affected areas. He added that preparations for the monsoon season had been completed before the arrival of heavy rains, including the cleaning of storm drains and waterways across the capital.



The ADC General stated that special monitoring teams had been formed to keep a close watch on drains during rainfall and respond quickly to any blockage or overflow. These teams remained active throughout the rain spell and coordinated with field officers to address emerging issues.



Officials further said Assistant Commissioners were present on the ground alongside sanitation staff to oversee operations and ensure uninterrupted drainage work. Monitoring of residential areas, business centers, and major roads was continuing to prevent further water accumulation and maintain normal traffic flow.



The district administration said all available resources would remain deployed during the monsoon season to respond to weather-related challenges and keep public services functioning without interruption.