Category: Lahore

Lahore: An anti-Corruption court (ACC) on Friday adjourned until July 25 the hearing of a corruption reference against former Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan and other accused over alleged irregularities in the award of Mines and Minerals contracts.

Judge Muhammad Jameel also sought arguments on Sibtain Khan’s plea for a fresh investigation and on the acquittal application, filed by co-accused and former Planning and Development Board Chairman Salman Ghani.

During the hearing, Sibtain Khan and other accused appeared before the court to attend the trial proceedings.

Salman Ghani’s counsel did not appear to argue the acquittal application, prompting the co-accused to seek more time. The court adjourned the proceedings until July 25 and directed counsel to complete arguments at the next hearing

Sibtain Khan is accused of awarding Mines and Minerals contracts to favoured individuals during his tenure as Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals during PML-Q government. Other co-accused include former Mines and Minerals Secretary Imtiaz Ahmed Cheema, former Planning and Development Board Chairman Salman Ghani, and Punjab Chief Inspector of Mines Abdul Sattar.

Lahore: The Punjab government has launched an ambitious initiative to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) laboratories in government primary schools across the province, marking a major step towards integrating emerging technologies into early childhood education and preparing students for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.

According to officials, the initiative, being pursued under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, seeks to introduce AI education from the primary level through dedicated AI laboratories equipped with modern computing facilities, interactive learning tools and age-appropriate educational software. The project is intended to familiarise children with artificial intelligence, coding, robotics and digital literacy at an early stage while promoting problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Officials said the AI labs will be established in phases, beginning with selected government schools before expanding across the province. Alongside the infrastructure, teachers will receive specialised training to effectively integrate AI-based learning into classroom instruction, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces conventional teaching methods.

The project forms part of the Punjab government’s broader education reform agenda, which focuses on modernising public schools through digital infrastructure, smart classrooms and technology-driven learning. Authorities believe that exposing students to AI from an early age will help bridge the digital divide, improve learning outcomes and prepare a future workforce capable of competing in technology-intensive industries.

The government has already announced plans to establish two dedicated Artificial Intelligence schools in Lahore at an estimated cost of Rs810 million. These institutions are expected to offer advanced education in AI, robotics and information technology and serve as model institutions for technology-based education in the province.

Education experts have increasingly stressed the need to integrate AI and digital education into Pakistan’s school system. Addressing a ceremony at Punjab University earlier this year, Acting Governor Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said artificial intelligence and digital education should be introduced from the primary level, observing that the future belongs to AI and emerging technologies.

Officials say the AI labs initiative is expected to complement ongoing efforts to upgrade government schools with improved digital infrastructure and innovative teaching methods, enabling students to acquire future-oriented skills while strengthening Punjab’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique on Friday said the Rescue Internship Programme, launched under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is a revolutionary initiative aimed at equipping young paramedics with modern emergency medical training, better employment opportunities and a strong spirit of public service.

He was addressing the Punjab Chief Minister’s Intern Passing Out Parade held at the Rescue Headquarters, where more than 300 interns completed their eight-week training at the Emergency Services Academy.

The minister said Emergency Services Punjab had evolved into an internationally recognised institution, with trainees from more than 30 countries as well as all provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan receiving professional training at the academy. He praised Rescue 1122 personnel for their frontline role during the 2025 floods and said the Punjab government had equipped the service with modern rescue equipment under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said the Rescue Internship Programme would introduce a sustainable human resource model that would enhance the capacity of emergency medical services, improve service quality and ensure effective utilisation of government resources. He urged the graduating interns to continue learning, maintain physical fitness and serve every citizen with compassion, professionalism and integrity.

Highlighting the achievements of Rescue 1122, he said the service had responded to more than 20 million emergency victims, including over five million road traffic accidents and more than 294,000 fire incidents. He added that the Rescue 1122 Motorbike Rescue Service had handled over 4.8 million emergencies with an average response time of four minutes.

The minister said the Punjab government had undertaken several initiatives to further strengthen emergency services, including the introduction of an air ambulance service, expansion of fire services to tehsil level, rescue coverage on all motorways, a dead body transfer service, solarisation of rescue stations and the provision of modern rescue equipment. He said Rescue 1122 had also been provided with advanced urban search and rescue equipment, specialised rescue vehicles, hydraulic cutters, motorboats, life jackets, scuba diving equipment, fire tenders and new ambulances to improve emergency response in both urban and remote areas.

Congratulating Secretary Emergency Services Dr. Rizwan Naseer, the instructors and the entire Rescue 1122 team, Khawaja Salman Rafique expressed confidence that the graduating interns would play an important role in enhancing public safety through their professional skills and commitment to service. He also paid tribute to the instructors for successfully training more than 300 interns in just eight weeks.

Parliamentary Secretary for Forest and Wildlife Qasim Nadeem said he was proud that his late father had played a key role in laying the foundation of Rescue 1122. He congratulated Khawaja Salman Rafique and Dr. Rizwan Naseer on the successful conduct of the internship programme.

Addressing the ceremony, Secretary Emergency Services Dr. Rizwan Naseer described the Chief Minister’s Internship Programme as a historic initiative and said the best-performing interns would have the opportunity to join the rescue service. He said the training would enable them to protect lives in their respective communities and noted that the emergency service had been certified by the United Nations. Recalling the recent floods and the Covid-19 pandemic, he praised rescuers for their courage and dedication in saving lives during difficult circumstances.

Later, Khawaja Salman Rafique and Dr. Rizwan Naseer inspected the passing out parade and congratulated the graduating rescue interns.

Lahore: Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi on Friday distributed commendation certificates among officers and officials in recognition of their outstanding performance during Muharram security operations at a ceremony held at the Punjab Home Department.

Speaking on the occasion, the secretary appreciated the dedication and professionalism of the officers and personnel who performed their duties efficiently during Muharram, added that the provincial government was utilising all available resources to maintain peace and ensure public safety across Punjab.

He said the Punjab Home Department’s Central Control Room, Cyber Patrolling Cell and Muharram Portal remained operational round the clock throughout Muharram, continuously monitoring the law and order situation and receiving reports from across the province.

Dr. Ahmad said the department’s Digital Media Cell reported more than 5,000 sectarian hate-related social media accounts to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for necessary action. He added that the Muharram Portal played a key role in monitoring the latest security situation across Punjab.

He said comprehensive security arrangements were also being finalised for Chehlum, adding that cyber patrolling had been intensified to prevent the spread of provocative and disruptive content in the digital space.

The secretary reiterated that safeguarding the lives, property and dignity of citizens remained the state’s foremost priority. He warned that strict action would be taken against individuals promoting sectarian hatred or inciting unrest on social media under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Home Department Special Secretary Faisal Farid and Zainab Khan, Home Department Additional Secretary Asma Ejaz Cheema, Internal Security Additional Secretary Maham Asif Malik, Additional Secretary Special Initiatives Abdul Rauf, Civil Defence Director Tasneem Ali Khan and other senior officials also attended the ceremony.

Lahore: A meeting chaired by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique at Town Hall, MCL reviewed the aspects of maintenance of schemes after the completion of Lahore Development Program (LDP).

Advisor to the Chief Minister on Political Affairs Zeeshan Malik, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Captain R Muhammad Ali Ijaz also attended the meeting.

The provincial minister priased the Deputy Commissioner/Administrator Lahore Municipal Corporation Muhammad Ali Ijaz and MD WASA Syed Ghufran Ahmed on the completion of LDP Phase One and Two saying that both the departments demonstrated excellent teamwork to fulfill the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He said that 16,500 streets measuring 1,800 kilometers were paved under LDP. “741 kilometers of new sewer lines were laid in Lahore while 12 new disposal stations were built. In addition, 75 units of new machinery were added to deal with urban flooding”, he observed.

The Minister for Local Government said that LDP has also reached areas where no development work has been done till date. “The use of eye-catching colored tiles in the streets has enhanced the aesthetic beauty”, he added. He said that the installation and maintenance of 22,423 street lights has also been completed in Lahore. Zeeshan Rafique said that LDP is a unique project of the government of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. “It was in the light of the experience of LDP that the foundation of the Punjab Development Program was laid, which is now being successfully carried forward in 60 cities”, he figured out. The provincial minister directed that the finishing work of the few schemes that are left to be completed soon.

Advisor to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik urged that the Lahore Municipal Corporation should ensure the maintenance of the completed streets because regular maintenance can avoid many potential challenges. During the meeting, the provincial minister and advisor also directed the Deputy Commissioner Lahore to get the LDP validated by a third party.

Lahore: A 42-member delegation of trainee officers from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday visited the Central Police Office (CPO) Lahore to study Punjab Police’s election security arrangements, modern policing practices and public service delivery system.

The delegation comprised 39 assistant election commissioners, two research associates and one assistant director.

During the visit, the trainee officers met Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem.

Additional Inspector General (Operations) Sarfraz Virk briefed the delegation on the security measures adopted by Punjab Police before, during and after general elections and by-elections. The officers were also informed about the force’s organisational structure, technology-driven policing, public service delivery mechanisms and key policing reforms.

The delegation also visited the Punjab Police Museum, the CPO Control Room and other operational sections.

Speaking on the occasion, IGP Abdul Kareem said Punjab Police fully recognised the vital role of election officers in the democratic process and ensured comprehensive security for election officials, polling staff and all election-related activities to facilitate the peaceful conduct of elections.

He also interacted with the trainee officers, inquired about their training experience and responded to their questions regarding policing and election security.

At the conclusion of the visit, the IGP and members of the delegation exchanged commemorative souvenirs.

Additional IG Investigation Shahzada Sultan, Additional IG Training Asim Gulzar, DIG Training Munir Ahmed Zia Rao, DIG IT Mansoor-ul-Haq and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.