Category: Lahore

Lahore: Punjab University (PU) Department of Media and Development Communication on Tuesday launched a U.S.-supported project titled ‘Digital Trust and Free Expression in the AI Era: Strengthening Responsible Content Creation in Open Digital Spaces’ to promote ethical journalism, responsible artificial intelligence (AI) use and digital trust. The initiative was being implemented with the support of U.S. Mission to Pakistan in partnership with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN). Speaking at the inaugural ceremony as chief guest, Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali said universities had a critical responsibility to prepare responsible digital communicators capable of upholding truth and integrity in an increasingly technology-driven information environment.

He observed that while AI could accelerate access to information and process vast amounts of data, it could not replace human judgment, empathy and intuition, which remain indispensable for ethical journalism and credible storytelling. Project Lead Dr. Ayesha Ashfaq highlighted the growing challenges posed by AI-generated content, synthetic media and deepfakes, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen verification skills and promote responsible AI use among journalists and digital content creators. Senior journalist Sohail Warraich stressed the importance of restoring journalism’s credibility through truth, transparency and sound editorial judgment, saying these values were essential for rebuilding public trust amid the rapid spread of digital information.

Senior anchor and digital media consultant Ajmal Jami discussed the transformation of modern newsrooms, noting that AI-powered algorithms increasingly influence content visibility and audience engagement, making it imperative for journalists to understand and adapt to evolving digital media dynamics.

Media development practitioner at Shirkat Gah Fazli Hadi presented an overview of Pakistan’s digital information landscape, identifying emerging trends, existing capacity gaps and the need for enhanced verification and fact-checking skills across the media sector. The ceremony was attended by faculty members Dr. Shazia Ismail Toor and Dr. Madiha Maqsood, along with representatives of the U.S. Consulate General Lahore. The project aims to equip early-career journalists, media students and digital content creators with practical skills in verification, ethical storytelling and responsible AI use, thereby strengthening public trust in Pakistan’s rapidly evolving digital information ecosystem.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday approved the establishment of the Asset Management Authority of Punjab (AMAP) to ensure comprehensive identification, management and optimal utilisation of the province’s assets, aimed at enhancing transparency, governance and revenue generation.

The approval was given during a meeting chaired by the chief minister to review the proposed legal framework and governance structure of the authority, here on Monday.

According to an official briefing, AMAP would serve as the central institution for the identification, management, transfer, disposal, valuation, payments and marketing of government-owned land and other provincial assets. It would oversee all matters relating to land administration, leasing, sale and commercial utilisation of public assets.

The meeting was informed that the authority would prepare a comprehensive digital database of all provincial assets and ensure their regular market valuation. It will also oversee site selection for asset transfers, formulate development and master plans, and manage the marketing, promotion and transaction design of transferred assets.

Officials said government properties with investment and privatisation potential would be identified on a priority basis. Various financing and development models, including leasing, rental arrangements, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Joint Ventures (JV), would be adopted to maximise the value of provincial assets. The authority will also prepare feasibility studies, manage contracts, supervise project implementation, and conduct monitoring and evaluation.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to enhance provincial revenue through the sale, leasing and collateral financing of government assets. She observed that effective resource management required a complete and accurate record of all provincial assets.

She noted that no single institution previously existed to regulate Punjab’s scattered assets, resulting in the absence of a centralised record, inadequate valuation and inefficient utilisation of government land, which had caused substantial revenue losses. She also pointed out that public land remained vulnerable to illegal encroachments while the recovery of valuable assets often involved lengthy and costly litigation.

The chief minister said the proposed autonomous authority would ensure comprehensive management, protection and productive utilisation of provincial assets, and appreciated the initiative to establish AMAP.

The meeting was informed that the authority would be supervised by a high-powered governing board headed by the Punjab Chief Secretary, while its executive affairs would be managed by a Grade-20 Managing Director. Qualified professionals from the private sector would also be inducted on merit through a competitive selection process.

It was further decided that all matters relating to the transfer, valuation and management of provincial assets would remain subject to approval by the provincial cabinet. A detailed governance and approval framework for the authority will be presented before the cabinet committee for final approval.

Officials further informed the meeting that 98 per cent of the net income generated through AMAP projects would be deposited into the provincial treasury, while the remaining 2 per cent would be retained by the authority to meet operational expenses and staff salaries. A dedicated AMAP Fund will also be established to ensure financial transparency. The governing board of the authority will comprise 11 members.

The meeting also decided that legislation for the establishment of the Asset Management Authority of Punjab would be introduced without delay.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday said the government was committed to ensuring quality education, healthcare, clean drinking water, modern agriculture and basic infrastructure across rural Punjab.

She added the government was implementing a comprehensive development agenda to improve the lives of people living in villages.

In her message on World Rural Development Day, the chief minister paid tribute to the people of rural areas for their invaluable contribution to agriculture and national development, and pledged to empower villages through education, skills development, healthcare and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

She said rural communities possessed immense potential to strengthen food security, create economic opportunities and support long-term national stability, adding that a strong rural economy was indispensable for building a developed Pakistan. ‘Investing in rural people means investing in the foundations of more resilient societies. Villages play a pivotal role in the progress and prosperity of any country,’ she said.

CM Maryam Nawaz said villages represented the soul of society, not only because of agriculture’s vital contribution to national production but also due to their role in preserving centuries-old traditions and cultural heritage.

Highlighting the Punjab government’s initiatives, she said the Suthra Punjab Programme was now fully operational in rural areas for the first time, similar to urban centres, while electric bus services were also being extended to villages for the first time in the province’s history.

The CM said the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar Scheme had been launched specifically to support unemployed people living in rural areas by providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities. She further said work was in progress on the Model Village Project to equip more than 2,400 villages with essential civic facilities, including water filtration plants for the provision of clean drinking water, parks and children’s play areas.

Maryam Nawaz said that under the Local Roads Programme, more than 3,300 kilometres of rural roads were being constructed and rehabilitated through over 1,500 development schemes.

She added that under the Sohna Pind Punjab Programme, paved streets were being built in villages alongside road rehabilitation, the development of children’s parks and extensive plantation drives aimed at improving the rural environment and quality of life.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Information Azma Bukhari said on Monday that India’s BJP government had adopted a fascist approach.

According to a press release issued here, she said that India believed that it could openly violate the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and international laws governing water sharing without facing any accountability.

She said, “The Indian government’s belief that no one can hold it accountable is a serious misconception.” Narendra Modi and his supporters should remember that Pakistan has, in the past, dispelled many of India’s misconceptions and possessed the full capability to take every necessary step to safeguard its national interests.

Azma Bukhari stated that the Indus River was the foundation of Pakistan’s agriculture, economy and national survival. She said, “Any aggression against Pakistan’s water resources or any violation of the Indus Waters Treaty is not only a breach of international law but is also tantamount to challenging Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” She emphasized that Pakistan would not compromise in any way on its national security, water rights, or the interests of its people.

Any illegal action or provocation concerning the Indus River would not be tolerated, she said and added that Pakistan would continue to raise its voice forcefully at every appropriate international forum to protect its legitimate rights.

Lahore: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) during the ongoing operations across Punjab,arrested three suspects allegedly involved in cyber crimes targeting women and children.

According to a spokesperson, the Lahore NCCIA team arrested a suspect, Ali Akram, for allegedly possessing objectionable material and sexually exploiting minor children.

In a separate operation, the Multan NCCIA team arrested two suspects, Muhammad Asim and Mohsin Ali, on the charges of blackmailing and harassing women through cyber platforms.

The spokesperson said the suspects had allegedly used fake TikTok accounts to circulate objectionable content involving women.

During the raids,the teams seized mobile phones, SIM cards and other digital evidence from them for forensic examination.

Punjab NCCIA Director Operations Muhammad Ali Wasim said indiscriminate action against individuals involved in cyber crimes targeting women and children would continue, adding that no offender would be allowed to evade the law.

Lahore: The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) successfully conducted two-day written examinations for the posts of Assistant Superintendent Jail, Deputy Superintendent Jail in the Punjab Prisons Department and Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies across Punjab, including Lahore.

According to the PPSC spokesperson, more than 6,000 candidates appeared in the examinations held at various centres across the province.

On the directions of PPSC Chairman Lieutenant General (Retd.) Muhammad Abdul Aziz, members of the commission carried out surprise visits to examination centres to monitor the examination process and review administrative arrangements.

Member Ahmad Ali Kamboh visited examination centres in Multan, Muhammad Hassan Iqbal inspected centres in Lahore, Najam Waheed monitored arrangements in Sargodha, Masood Anwar visited Rawalpindi, while Major General (Retd.) Kamran Khurshid inspected centres in Faisalabad.

The spokesperson said comprehensive arrangements were made to ensure the transparent and smooth conduct of the examinations. These included foolproof security, installation of mobile phone signal jammers, biometric and identity verification of candidates, CCTV surveillance, rescue and medical services, provision of cold drinking water, uninterrupted power backup and other facilities for the convenience of candidates.

The spokesperson added the extensive arrangements ensured that the examinations were conducted in a transparent, secure and uninterrupted manner.

The two-day examination process concluded successfully, with the PPSC describing the exercise as transparent, well-organised and efficiently managed.