Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Lahore: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested 27 alleged members of the Oad gang during a major crackdown on organized financial cyber fraud in Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad, exposing scams involving millions of rupees on Friday.

According to the spokesperson, the suspects allegedly posed as bank officials, customs and police personnel, representatives of charitable organizations, TCS riders and investment company employees to deceive citizens into sharing one-time passwords (OTPs), banking credentials and other sensitive information before fraudulently transferring funds from their accounts.

In Lahore, the NCCIA arrested 13 suspects during two separate operations. The arrested suspects included Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Danish, Nabeel Akhtar, Badrur Rehman, Muhammad Adnan, Nadeem Abbas, Allah Rakha, Muhammad Atif and Muhammad Waseem, among others. Authorities recovered 13 mobile phones, 25 active SIM cards allegedly used in the fraud and other digital evidence from their possession.

In Multan, 13 suspects were arrested in four separate raids. They included Muhammad Asim Baloch, Muhammad Usman, Khalid Baloch, Abdul Ghaffar, Muhammad Jibran Oad, Muhammad Shan Oad, Muhammad Waqas Oad, Muhammad Ilyas Oad, Muhammad Iqbal Oad, Muhammad Shafiq Oad, Muhammad Yousaf Oad, Muhammad Naeem Oad and other.

Initial investigations revealed that the Oad gang allegedly operated fake investment websites and fraudulent WhatsApp and social media accounts to lure citizens into investing money before defrauding them of large sums.

In Faisalabad, the NCCIA arrested one suspect, identified as Nasir Ali, who was allegedly involved with accomplices in hacking bank accounts and transferring stolen funds into fraudulent JazzCash and Easypaisa accounts. One Android mobile phone, six keypad phones and 23 active SIM cards were recovered from his possession.

The spokesperson said investigations into the network were underway and reaffirmed that indiscriminate action against organized financial cyber fraud groups, including the Oad gang, would continue.

The NCCIA also advised the public not to share one-time passwords (OTPs), banking information or personal data with any unauthorized person to avoid falling victim to cyber fraud.

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: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday extended the judicial remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ghulam Mohiuddin Dewan by 14 days in a case relating to alleged provocative speeches, arson and vandalism at Sherpao Bridge during the May 9 riots.

The accused was produced before the court from jail after the expiry of his previous judicial remand.

ATC Judge Malik Abid Hussain heard the case and approved a 14-day extension in the accused’s judicial remand.

The investigating officer informed the court that the supplementary challan is still being prepared. He stated that Dewan was present at the scene of the incident and is allegedly involved in delivering provocative speeches and participating in arson and vandalism at Sherpao Bridge.

Sarwar Road police had registered a case against the PTI leaders and workers on charges of provocative speeches, arson and vandalism at Sherpao Bridge during the May 9 riots.

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.

Lahore: The Women Media Center Pakistan organised a five-day media training workshop on Artificial Intelligence, Journalistic Safety and Inclusive Journalism for female students associated with media, women journalists, media practitioners and women aspiring to pursue careers in journalism.

The workshop, held at a local hotel from July 27 to July 31, 2026, familiarised participants with modern journalistic skills and the evolving requirements of the media industry to enable them to work professionally in the field. Director General Public Relations Punjab, Farid Ahmed, attended the concluding session as the chief guest and addressed the participants.

Speaking on the occasion, DGPR Punjab Sheikh Farid Ahmed said that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, as the first woman chief minister of the province, had made the welfare, protection and empowerment of women one of the key priorities of her government.

He said the Punjab government had undertaken numerous initiatives, including the establishment of state-of-the-art daycare centres for working women, provision of safe transport facilities for women, the Chief Minister Women Empowerment Package, Pink Games, the Pink Scooty Programme, expansion of working women hostels, promotion of women’s vocational and digital skills, creation of business opportunities and easy financial assistance, special facilities in the health and education sectors, and promotion of safe and dignified workplaces for women. He said these initiatives aimed to strengthen women economically and socially and provide them with an environment where they could perform their professional responsibilities with confidence and peace of mind.

He further said that under the leadership of Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bukhari, women-friendly initiatives had also been introduced in the Information and Culture Department to provide women officers, journalists and media professionals with a safe, dignified and enabling professional environment.

He said that on the directions of Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, the daycare centre established at the DGPR had been upgraded in line with modern requirements so that working mothers could perform their professional responsibilities with complete peace of mind.

He added that nearly 50 per cent of the recruitment in the department’s Digital Media Wing had been allocated to women, reflecting confidence in women’s capabilities and the department’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion.

He further said that a large number of female interns were also receiving practical training in the Information and Culture Department, where they were being provided ample opportunities to learn modern media, digital communication and public relations while enhancing their professional skills.

He said special emphasis was being placed on improving women’s professional capacity, digital skills, training opportunities and leadership development so that they could play an effective role in media and other sectors.

Addressing the participants, Sheikh Farid Ahmed said they were fortunate to have access to opportunities. He urged them to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s degree, pursue master’s and doctoral studies, focus on education and also undertake field visits, which he said were equally important.

Speaking about women’s education, DGPR Farid Ahmed said an educated woman was vital for future generations. He said significant opportunities existed in the country and hard work always yielded results.

Responding to a question, the DGPR said modern technology should be used as a tool for convenience rather than becoming dependent on it. He urged participants to develop reading habits and demonstrate their love for the country through their actions. He also said the training material should be provided to participants before the commencement of the workshop.

Sharing his views on the workshop, DGPR Punjab Farid Ahmed congratulated Women Media Center Pakistan and said the team from Karachi had provided practical training to the young women participating in the programme.

During the workshop, special focus was placed on equipping women journalists and female media students with modern journalistic skills in line with the rapidly evolving media landscape. Participants received practical knowledge and essential skills on a range of important subjects, including the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, digital and online safety, ethical reporting, fact-checking and inclusive journalism.

Certificates were distributed among the participants at the conclusion of the programme.

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.