Shehryar Arif Khan appointed LWMC CEO


Lahore: Shehryar Arif Khan has assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) and immediately began extensive field visits to review the city’s sanitation operations.



Soon after taking charge, the CEO visited several key locations, including Samanabad, Jail Road, Mall Road, Canal Road, Adda Plot, Multan Road, Thokar Niaz Baig and adjoining areas, to assess the performance of the waste management operation.



During the inspections, Mr. Khan reviewed the attendance of sanitation workers, examined the operational status of waste collection vehicles, and received detailed briefings on the deployment and formation of operational teams.



He also inspected cleanliness arrangements and emphasized the importance of maintaining high service standards, said LWMC spokesperson Umar Chaudhry.



At the Thokar Workshop, the CEO checked the arrival and departure timings of operational machinery and directed officials to ensure that all available machinery remains fully operational in the field throughout the monsoon season.



Kitchen items’ prices fall by 0.91pc


Islamabad: The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI)-based weekly inflation decreased by 0.91 percent during the week ended on July 30, 2026, for the combined consumption group, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday.



According to PBS data, the SPI for the week under review declined to 357.61 points from 360.88 points recorded in the previous week. On a year-on-year basis, the SPI increased by 9.05 percent.



The weekly SPI, with base year 2015-16=100, covers 17 urban centres and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.



The SPI for the lowest consumption group (up to Rs 17,732) decreased by 1.19 percent to 345.63 points from 349.80 points.



Likewise, the SPI for consumption groups of Rs 17,733-22,888, Rs 22,889-29,517, Rs 29,518-44,175 and above Rs 44,175 declined by 1.37 percent, 0.97 percent, 0.81 percent and 0.68 percent, respectively.



During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 27 items (52.94 percent) increased, six items (11.77 percent) decreased, while 18 items (35.29 percent) remained unchanged.



On a week-on-week basis, the items that witnessed decrease in prices included tomatoes which declined by 22.96 percent, followed by chicken 11.20 percent, electricity charges for Q1 9.06 percent, bananas 0.70 percent, sugar 0.16 percent and pulse moong 0.15 percent.



On the other hand, the prices of onions witnessed the highest increase of 7.62 percent, followed by diesel 4.17 percent, eggs 3.16 percent, petrol 2.46 percent, wheat flour 2.00 percent, potatoes 1.93 percent, LPG 1.90 percent, pulse gram 1.44 percent, vegetable ghee (2.5kg) 0.71 percent, pulse mash 0.69 percent, pulse masoor 0.64 percent and firewood 0.15 percent.



On the other hand, prices of tomatoes declined by 22.96 percent, followed by chicken 11.20 percent, electricity charges for Q1 9.06 percent, bananas 0.70 percent, sugar 0.16 percent and pulse moong 0.15 percent.



On a year-on-year basis, prices of potatoes declined by 30.89 percent, followed by pulse gram 19.89 percent, chicken 19.56 percent, sugar 17.48 percent, salt powder 14.09 percent, pulse masoor 12.80 percent, eggs 8.38 percent and pulse moong 7.38 percent over the corresponding week of last year.



Major annual increases were recorded in the prices of tomatoes by 228.71 percent, followed by onions 95.36 percent, wheat flour 78.65 percent, LPG 51.76 percent, diesel 37.42 percent, petrol 23.28 percent, gents sponge chappal 16.69 percent, mutton 16.06 percent, chilies powder 15.20 percent, bananas 14.69 percent, beef 13.44 percent and bread 9.69 percent, according to the PBS.



Punjab taking all possible steps to prevent flood losses: Salman Rafique


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.



Young artists showcase creativity at Alhamra summer workshop


Lahore: The Lahore Arts Council (LAC) is successfully hosting its Summer Art Workshop attended by a large number of students and children in training sessions on painting and calligraphy. The young children demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and artistic talent.



Participants received hands-on instruction in a variety of visual arts, including portrait painting, abstract art, drawing, and traditional calligraphy. The workshop provides an inspiring platform for aspiring artists to refine their creative skills while experimenting with different techniques, colors, and artistic expressions.



The vibrant atmosphere reflected the passion of young participants, who are creating impressive artworks using brushes, pencils, and calligraphy tools under the guidance of experienced instructors.



The primary objective of the Summer Art Workshop is to promote art and culture while encouraging the younger generation to engage in positive and creative activities, said a press release here on Friday.



The initiative aims to provide a productive environment where participants can develop their artistic abilities and make meaningful use of their summer break.



Students attending the workshop appreciated the initiative and expressed gratitude to the Lahore Arts Council for providing them with an opportunity to learn, explore, and showcase their creative potential.



Over 4,000 police personnel deployed for AJK refugee seats elections


Rawalpindi: Police have finalized comprehensive security arrangements for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections on refugee seats scheduled to be held on August 2, with more than 4,000 police officers and personnel deployed to ensure peaceful polling.



According to the Regional Police Office (RPO), a total of 175 polling stations have been established across four constituencies covering Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Murree.



Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa said providing voters with a safe and secure environment to exercise their democratic right was the top priority of Rawalpindi Region Police.



He said all available resources would be utilized to ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.



The RPO said special security measures, including enhanced surveillance and effective patrolling, would be implemented at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations.



He added that the security plan would be enforced in letter and spirit with strict monitoring of suspicious individuals, activities, and illegal weapons.



He warned that anyone found violating election laws or the code of conduct would face strict legal action.



The police would maintain close coordination with the district administration, the Election Commission, and other relevant departments to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.



Babar Sarfraz Alpa further said senior police officers would remain present in the field to personally supervise security arrangements and urged citizens to abide by the election code of conduct and immediately report any suspicious activity to the police.



Policy overhaul key to unlocking investment


Islamabad: President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Sardar Tahir Mehmood, on Friday stressed the urgent need for adopting a comprehensive export-led growth strategy, saying that sustainable economic prosperity, employment generation and macroeconomic stability could only be achieved by significantly enhancing Pakistan’s exports.



Talking to different delegations from the trade and industrial sectors here, he said Pakistan possessed immense industrial and entrepreneurial potential, but structural challenges, high cost of doing business, expensive energy, cumbersome taxation, regulatory bottlenecks and limited access to global markets continued to constrain the country’s export performance, said a press release.



Tahir Mehmood urged the government to formulate a long-term, predictable and business-friendly export policy that encouraged industrial expansion, value addition, innovation and diversification of export markets.



He emphasized that facilitating exporters through simplified procedures, affordable financing, technological upgradation and a competitive business environment was essential to unlocking Pakistan’s true export potential.



The private sector stood ready to work closely with the government in developing practical policies that promoted investment, industrialization and export competitiveness, he said adding that stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors would help restore investor confidence and place the national economy on the path of sustainable growth.



He reiterated ICCI’s commitment to serving as an effective bridge between the business community and policymakers, adding that the Chamber would continue advocating reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and strengthening Pakistan’s position in international markets.