Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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: 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.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee for Disaster Management, Khawaja Salman Rafique, said that all possible measures are being taken to protect Punjab from floods in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

He made these remarks during a visit to the Provincial Emergency Center at the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Headquarters on Friday, where Director General PDMA Saif Anwar Jappa briefed him on the latest monsoon situation and water flow in rivers across the province.

The minister said that cabinet members, the DG PDMA, commissioners and deputy commissioners were personally visiting Muridke, Pathan Colony in Ferozwala and adjoining areas to monitor relief operations. He added that uninterrupted supply of ration and animal fodder was being ensured through flood relief camps established in the affected areas.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said the Health, Rescue, Livestock and other relevant departments were fully active in the field. He added that the safe relocation of livestock was also being ensured, while affected people were being provided with food, clean drinking water, medical facilities and other essential services.

He said flood relief camps, rescue machinery, boats, emergency staff and evacuation plans had been activated in accordance with the vulnerability of different areas. The administration, he added, was fully prepared to respond to any emergency.

The minister said Rescue services had been equipped with modern equipment worth billions of rupees, while both pre-disaster and post-disaster response mechanisms had been further strengthened. He expressed confidence that these measures would help minimise flood-related risks and water hazards, adding that PDMA’s preparedness this year was significantly better than last year.

Speaking on the occasion, DG PDMA Saif Anwar Jappa said all officers remained on high alert in the field. He added that the monsoon situation and river water flows were being monitored round the clock to ensure a timely response to any emergency.

Lahore: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem ordered enhanced security arrangements across the province, including Lahore, to ensure public safety during Friday congregations.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson here on Friday, the IGP directed all field formations to ensure strict security of mosques, imambargahs, shrines, markets and other sensitive locations.

He ordered an increase in patrolling around mosques, imambargahs, commercial centres and major roads, while personnel deployed at inter-provincial border police checkpoints were instructed to remain on high alert.

The IGP directed police to maintain close surveillance of anti-state and disruptive elements, including Fitna al-Khawarij and other hostile groups.

He further ordered enhanced checking of suspicious vehicles, individuals, and luggage at entry and exit points of Lahore and other major cities.

Search, sweep and combing operations around mosques, imambargahs, foreign consulates as well as other important and sensitive installations were also ordered to continue.

Abdul Kareem instructed senior police officers, including district police officers, to remain present in the field and personally review security arrangements.

He said maintaining law and order and protecting the lives, property and belongings of citizens remained the foremost priority of Punjab Police.

Lahore: The Millat Tractors Limited Chairman Sikandar Mustafa Khan has donated two brand-new tractors to his alma mater, Government College University (GCU) Lahore.

The donation was made in response to a formal request by GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Omer Chaudhry. The heavy machinery is especially required to facilitate landscaping, agricultural upkeep, and ongoing development work at the university’s expansive new 370-acre campus situated at Kala Shah Kaku.

The two new tractors were officially handed over to the university administration today at the main campus.

Mr. Khan maintains an active association with his alma mater. Alongside this recent contribution, he is a serving member of the Executive Committee of the GCU Endowment Fund, which assists the university with institutional development and student financial aid.

Lahore: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Zone arrested two alleged human smugglers, including a proclaimed offender (PO), in separate raids conducted in Lahore and Sheikhupura on Friday.

According to the spokesperson, the arrested suspects were identified as Muhammad Nawaz and Muhammad Shahid. Muhammad Nawaz had been wanted by the FIA Lahore since 2025.

The spokesperson said the suspects were involved in migrant smuggling and visa fraud, and allegedly defrauded citizens of a total of Rs 777,000 by promising to arrange overseas work visas.

The arrests were made during raids carried out by the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Lahore.

The spokesperson said the suspects had been taken into custody and further investigation was underway.