Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered strict legal action against those involved in rape, child abuse and corruption, directing authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against crimes targeting women and children.

Chairing a high-level meeting on law and order here, the chief minister reviewed the province’s security situation and called for a comprehensive strategy to eliminate rape, child abuse and corruption.

She was informed that the Safe City Project had been completed in all 43 districts of Punjab and would be formally inaugurated soon. The chief minister approved the installation of more than 2,000 additional Safe City cameras in Lahore and directed the expansion of the project to 98 more tehsils as well as riverine (Katcha) areas.

The meeting was told that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had established a dedicated cell to monitor blasphemy-related cases, while a Special Cyber Unit would be created to tackle cybercrime. Additional personnel were also being inducted to strengthen security and development in tribal areas.

CM Maryam Nawaz directed that mobile police stations should provide services at citizens’ doorsteps, saying that if people could not reach police stations, the police should reach them instead. She observed that the establishment of the Crime Control Department (CCD) had contributed to a significant decline in the provincial crime rate.

Declaring the protection of women and children her ‘red line’, the chief minister reiterated that no leniency would be shown towards offenders involved in crimes against vulnerable groups.

The meeting was further informed that 29,000 body-worn cameras would be provided to police personnel by the first week of September to improve transparency and accountability.

Officials also briefed the meeting that the registration of Imams had been completed and Rs10 billion had been released for more than 72,000 Imams across the province.

The CM was informed that more than 139,000 illegally residing foreign nationals had been repatriated so far. During 2026, 23,243 illegal foreign nationals had been deported, while 5,127 illegal Afghan nationals were shifted to holding centres during the first six months of the year.

The meeting was also told that documentary and biometric verification of over 1.25 million people had been completed across Punjab, while all arrangements had been finalised to ensure the transparent conduct of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).

Lahore: A delegation comprising water supply and sanitation experts from Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa undertook a learning exchange visit to the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC).

The visit was organized in collaboration with AGAHE and Welthungerhilfe to promote the interprovincial exchange of innovative approaches and best practices.

The delegation included representatives from the Public Health Engineering Departments of Sindh and Balochistan, the Planning and Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, other government institutions working in water supply, sanitation and the WASH sector, and development partners.

Managing Director PMDFC, Syed Zahid Aziz, welcomed the delegation and briefed the participants on PMDFC’s ongoing initiatives for urban development, water supply and sanitation, institutional capacity building and improved municipal service delivery. He stated that such learning exchange visits play an important role in strengthening collaboration among provinces, promoting knowledge sharing and identifying sustainable solutions to challenges confronting the WASH sector.

Mudassir Javed, Director Planning and Evaluation, WASA Lahore, delivered a detailed briefing on WASA Lahore’s projects, institutional reforms and measures being undertaken to improve water supply and sanitation services for citizens. Mubarak Ali Sarwar, Chief Executive Officer of AGAHE, highlighted the objectives of the visit and the importance of strengthening interprovincial linkages in the WASH sector.

The delegation was also briefed on the projects, successful experiences and institutional reforms of the Pakistan Water Operators Network (P-WON), PMDFC and WASA Lahore. Special documentary highlighting the initiatives and achievements of PMDFC was also screened on the occasion.

Tahira Jabeen, National Coordinator P-WON; Umair Butt; Shahid Ibrahim; Ali Mufti; Amir Mahmood Shah, SPO GIS; and other officers also attended the meeting.

The participants appreciated the initiatives undertaken by PMDFC, PWON and WASA Lahore and emphasized the need to further promote the interprovincial exchange of experiences, technical expertise and replicable models.

Lahore: A sessions court on Wednesday restrained police from arresting the station house officer (SHO) and other police personnel nominated in a case concerning a raid on the residence of Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Zulfiqar Ahmad Naeem heard the interim bail petitions filed by SHO Ejaz Haider and other police officials. The court granted them interim bail until August 12 against surety bonds of Rs50,000 each and directed the police officials to join the investigation.

SHO Ejaz Haider and the other police personnel approached the court seeking interim bail, apprehending arrest in the case.

Sarwar Road Police had registered the case against the officials in connection with the alleged raid on the Attorney General’s residence in Lahore.

According to the FIR, a police team led by the Sarwar Road SHO allegedly entered the Attorney General’s residence at around 6pm on July 27 after scaling the main gate. The FIR further alleged that the officials harassed employees present at the residence and damaged flower pots outside the house during the operation.

Lahore: The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Qamar Zaman on Wednesday paid tribute to the services of former Board Secretary Farid Iqbal at a farewell ceremony held at the Board headquarters.

Speaking on the occasion, the chairman said that Farid Iqbal had discharged his professional responsibilities with dedication, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility during his tenure. He said his valuable contributions to the institution would always be remembered and appreciated.

Qamar expressed his best wishes for Farid Iqbal’s future, praying for his continued success, good health and prosperity.

Addressing the ceremony, former secretary Farid Iqbal thanked the chairman and officers of the Board for their support and cooperation. He said serving the ETPB had been a valuable and memorable experience in his professional career.

He also appreciated the cooperation extended by the Board’s officers and staff during his tenure.

Chairman Qamar Zaman presented a commemorative shield to Farid Iqbal in recognition of his services.

Lahore: A meeting chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique reviewed the progress on the Punjab Development Program (PDP) at the Civil Secretariat here on Wednesday.

Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Special Secretary Shahid Zaman Lak also attended.

The meeting was briefed that 87 underground tanks have been completed in 51 cities under the ‘Maryam Nawaz’s Beautiful Punjab’ program, while 90 percent of 17 water storage tanks have been constructed in different cities. The meeting also considered the construction of additional tanks in cities with high rainwater pressure.

Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique said, “Rainfall pattern has changed due to climate change, so we need to move forward keeping in mind the uncertain rainfall situation.” He said that additional water pumps and machinery will be provided for drainage.

Zeeshan Rafique said that the construction of roadside water tanks has made a significant difference in urban flooding in the cities included in the PDP compared to last year. “Due to the encouraging results, work has started on constructing additional tanks.” He said that dewatering of tanks is being done in places where drains have not been constructed yet. “Dewatering the tanks will help in the drainage of rainwater again”, he figured out.

On this occasion, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian said that in light of the alert of the new spell of rains, excavation in PDP schemes has been stopped immediately. He directed that effective safety and security arrangements should be ensured at the excavation sites.