Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle, Lahore, arrested a suspect allegedly involved in illegally tampering with and reversing Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) electricity meters, an FIA spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The spokesperson said the suspect, identified as Muhammad Arif, was arrested during a raid conducted in Lahore.

During the operation, FIA officials recovered several LESCO electricity meters, meter-reversing devices, a laptop and specialized software from the suspect’s possession.

The investigation revealed that the suspect was involved in manipulating electricity usage data to under report actual power consumption, causing financial losses worth millions of rupees to LESCO.

The recovered laptop was allegedly being used for illegal programming and tampering with the data of LESCO electricity meters, while advanced electronic devices used for meter reversing and multiple electricity meters were also taken into custody during the raid.

The FIA registered a case against the suspect and launched further investigations to trace and arrest other individuals involved in the illegal activity, the spokesperson added.

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Ijaz on Wednesday conducted a detailed field visit to Shalimar Tehsil, inspecting ongoing development schemes in Singhpura and Sehar Road while reviewing anti-dengue measures and directing officials to accelerate public welfare projects.

During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), the Chief Officer of Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL), and the Assistant Commissioner Shalimar. The Assistant Commissioner briefed him on the progress of development projects and the district’s dengue monitoring campaign. Officials also presented a detailed briefing on indoor and outdoor dengue surveillance being carried out by field teams in Singhpura, informing him that quality construction materials were being used in accordance with approved standards.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the authorities to ensure that only approved, high-quality construction material is used in all ongoing development schemes. He ordered officials to expedite road patchwork and drainage restoration works in Singhpura and complete the installation of streetlights on Sehar Road without delay to enhance public safety. Reviewing dengue prevention efforts, Muhammad Ali Ijaz ordered immediate targeted spraying in ten houses surrounding any location where dengue larvae are detected, describing the measure as a mandatory protocol to prevent further spread of the disease. He also instructed the field teams to intensify indoor surveillance, eliminate stagnant water from vacant plots and junkyards on an emergency basis, and ensure strict implementation of dengue standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The DC also directed that FIRs be registered against commercial property owners found violating dengue SOPs, stressing that negligence in providing civic facilities or implementing preventive measures would not be tolerated. He said the district administration would utilise all available resources to build a modern and well-organised Lahore, adding that the administration remained fully mobilized to make the provincial capital free from dengue through effective surveillance, timely interventions and coordinated field operations.

Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi took strict departmental action against traffic personnel on Wednesday for corruption, negligence, and dereliction of duty, dismissing a traffic inspector and a constable from service and imposing various penalties on several others.

According to a spokesperson, the CTO ordered the dismissal of a traffic inspector and a traffic constable after complaints of corruption were found to be valid.

The spokesperson said that the annual promotion of six traffic wardens, including a traffic inspector, was withheld for one year over negligence, lack of interest in official duties, and unauthorized absence.

Annual increments of four traffic inspectors and one traffic warden were also withheld for one year as part of departmental disciplinary action.

In another case, a traffic inspector was demoted from the rank of senior warden to warden for two years.

Meanwhile, several traffic personnel were awarded commendation certificates for ensuring prompt public assistance and demonstrating exemplary performance while performing their duties.

The CTO directed officers to further strengthen and ensure transparency in the departmental accountability process.

He said negligence, lack of interest in official responsibilities,

and corruption would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Ijaz on Wednesday held an open court at the Land Record Centre, where he personally heard complex complaints related to land ownership, property disputes and revenue matters. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Karim Dad Chughtai, Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) Chief Officer Shahid Abbas Kathia, Assistant Commissioner Shalimar Muhammad Amir Butt and Assistant Commissioner Wagah Zeeshan Manzoor were also present during the open court proceedings.

The Deputy Commissioner interacted directly with citizens, listened to their grievances and issued on-the-spot directions to the relevant officers for prompt resolution of their cases. He said the district administration was removing procedural hurdles in the revenue system to ensure that citizens receive direct and effective justice. DC Muhammad Ali Ijaz directed the revenue authorities to dispose of all pending land record complaints immediately on merit and instructed Assistant Commissioners to personally verify the resolution of every public complaint. He also stressed that complete transparency and merit must be maintained in the processes of property transfer (Intiqal) and inheritance-based property distribution.

The Deputy Commissioner further directed officials to ensure the digitalisation of land records for verified proof of ownership, saying the initiative would enhance transparency, improve service delivery and minimise the chances of disputes and fraud. He said all public complaints would be resolved strictly on merit without unnecessary delay, adding that the administration was committed to eliminating barriers between government offices and the public. He observed that regular open courts would strengthen direct accountability within the revenue departments and reiterated that the district administration would adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of departmental negligence in public service.

Lahore: The Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra) is successfully conducting its annual Summer Art Camp, providing children with a creative platform to develop artistic skills through drawing, painting and calligraphy while encouraging imagination, confidence and self-expression.

According to a spokesperson, the camp, one of Alhamra’s flagship educational initiatives, is aimed at introducing children to the world of fine arts during the summer holidays in a positive and inspiring learning environment. More than 30 children between the ages of five and 12 are participating in this year’s programme, receiving practical training under the supervision of experienced artists.

Renowned artist Usman Khalid is leading drawing and painting sessions, familiarising participants with basic artistic techniques while encouraging them to experiment with colours, composition and creative expression. At the same time, noted calligrapher Fatima Waqar is conducting calligraphy classes, helping children appreciate the beauty, precision and cultural significance of the traditional art form.

The drawing and painting classes are being held regularly at the Alhamra Art Studio every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The Summer Art Camp will continue until August 5 and conclude with a certificate distribution ceremony to recognise the participants’ dedication and artistic achievements.

Alhamra Executive Director Muhammad Nawaz Gondal said every child possesses a creative spark waiting to be discovered. He said encouraging children to imagine, create and express themselves through art helps them grow into confident, thoughtful and compassionate individuals, adding that investing in children’s creativity is an investment in Pakistan’s cultural future.

He said Alhamra remained committed to promoting arts and culture through initiatives that nurture young talent and provide meaningful opportunities for children to explore their creative potential, reinforcing the institution’s role in developing the country’s future artists and cultural ambassadors.

Lahore: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and the People’s Republic of China with a prestigious ceremony held at its Regional Office on Wednesday.

The ceremony was graced by H.E Sun Yan, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lahore; Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Provincial Minister for Finance; Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment; Zaki Aijaz, Regional Chairman and Vice President FPCCI, senior government officials, diplomats, industrialists, exporters, importers, and a large number of members of the business community. The participants celebrated the enduring friendship and ever-strengthening strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Consul General Mr. Sun Yan said that Pakistan and China are jointly advancing towards an upgraded phase of cooperation under CPEC 2.0, with a strategic focus on key sectors such as industry, agriculture, and mining. He underscored that developing a skilled workforce with proficiency in the Chinese language would be vital to unlocking the full potential of bilateral trade and investment. The consul general recalled Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security while expanding cooperation in defence, economic development and global governance. Highlighting the significance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said, the flagship initiative has attracted billions of dollars in investment and generated thousands of employment opportunities in Pakistan. He added that future collaboration would increasingly focus on emerging sectors such a
s textiles, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, education and innovation. He also pointed out that Pakistani astronauts had been invited to China for professional training.

Mr. Sun Yan reiterated China’s commitment to working closely with the FPCCI, the Punjab government and the business community to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.

Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said that over the past 75 years, Pakistan-China relations have successfully withstood every test of time and today stand as a model of strategic partnership for the world. He noted that as the global economy rapidly evolves through digital technology, artificial intelligence and innovation, new avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and China will play a vital role in advancing the shared prosperity of both nations.

He said, the CPEC has made a remarkable contribution to Pakistan’s economic development by strengthening infrastructure, energy security and regional connectivity. As CPEC enters its next phase, greater emphasis is being placed on industrial cooperation, technology transfer, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and modern agriculture.

He mentioned, Punjab government is implementing comprehensive reforms aimed at promoting investment, strengthening institutions and accelerating sustainable economic growth.

The Punjab Government, he added, is fostering an investor-friendly environment through fiscal discipline, transparency, digital governance and regulatory reforms. Punjab offers vast investment opportunities for Chinese investors in advanced manufacturing, information technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, electric vehicles, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, tourism and technical education. “We are also keen to expand cooperation with China in smart agriculture, water-efficient irrigation, agricultural mechanization, seed technology and food processing to enhance food security and agricultural productivity.”

The Finance Minister said that Punjab remains dedicated to further strengthening economic cooperation with China by pursuing transparent policies, efficient governance and an investor-friendly business environment while extending every possible facilitation to investors.

Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Syed Shafay Hussain highlighted the vast investment opportunities and robust infrastructure available in the province. He said the Punjab Government is working closely with China to promote innovation in the agricultural sector, while also benefiting from Chinese expertise in seed development and artificial intelligence technologies.

FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh described Pakistan-China relations as one of the world’s strongest, long-standing, and most exemplary strategic partnerships, founded on mutual trust, unwavering support, and a shared commitment to peace, development, and prosperity.

In his address, FPCCI Regional Chairman and Vice President Zaki Aijaz stated that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping, Pakistan-China relations have entered a new era of economic cooperation through CPEC 2.0. He emphasized that the next phase of bilateral collaboration should prioritize industrial cooperation, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), advanced manufacturing, information technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, tourism, and youth entrepreneurship.

The participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-China economic cooperation, expanding bilateral trade and investment, promoting industrial collaboration, and deepening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership for the mutual prosperity of both nations.