Category: Lahore

Lahore: Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said on Monday that Pakistan Railways had achieved a historic financial turnaround by earning Rs115 billion and posting its first profit in the institution’s 78-year history, attributing the achievement to improved governance, better utilization of rolling stock and reforms in freight and passenger operations.

Addressing a press conference here, the minister said that Pakistan Railways had earned a record Rs41 billion from freight operations, while the outsourcing of five passenger trains to the private sector had generated Rs3 billion in revenue. Encouraged by the results, the government planned to privatize additional train services, he added. Hanif Abbasi said seven power plants of Pakistan Railways were being rehabilitated and would become operational by September 30, while 16 more power plants would be procured through the department’s own revenue. He said 80 power plants would be inducted into the railway system by March 23 next year to improve operational efficiency.

The minister said three new rakes for Awam Express had already arrived, while the refurbishment of Karakoram Express, Millat Express and other passenger trains would be completed by June 2027 to provide improved travel facilities. The minister, highlighting infrastructure development, said the up-gradation of Main Line-1 (ML-1), Main Line-2 (ML-2) and Main Line-3 (ML-3) was essential for the future of Pakistan Railways. He added that discussions with the Asian Development Bank on ML-1 were progressing and the project would soon be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

The completion of ML-1 would reduce travel time between Rohri and Karachi by about five hours, he added. Hanif Abbasi said ML-2 would be developed through a public-private partnership model. He also announced that eight new branch railway lines would be constructed across the provinces for the first time to extend rail connectivity to rural areas. The minister said the Baluchistan government had provided funds for the proposed People’s Train project, while agreements on two railway routes in Sindh would be signed shortly.

He said Rohri Junction would be reconstructed on modern lines, while state-of-the-art guard rooms would be established at Khanewal, Kotri, Rohri, Lahore and Peshawar after the successful completion of a modern guard room and rest area in Rawalpindi. Referring to staff welfare, the minister said Pakistan Railways had cleared GP Fund payments amounting to Rs500 million. He added that old and unsafe railway residential quarters would be replaced. He also said railway schools were providing quality education, while railway hospitals would be outsourced under a public-private partnership model to ensure free medical treatment for nearly 2.5 million railway employees and their families.

The minister said Pakistan Railways had also accelerated its digital transformation programme, with the first phase already completed and the second phase expected to conclude by December 31. Hanif Abbasi said the department had set an ambitious freight revenue target of Rs65 billion and passenger revenue target of Rs60 billion for the next fiscal year. To a question, the minister said that railway accidents had declined compared to last year due to improved operational management.

He rejected allegations of favouritism in awarding contracts, saying all contracts were awarded through transparent open auctions. He said the auction of railway land at Badami Bagh, which had been challenged in courts, generated around Rs450 million instead of the earlier estimated Rs52 million, demonstrating the transparency and effectiveness of the auction process.

The minister also said he had voluntarily stopped using the ministerial saloon coach except on one occasion, despite it having been routinely used in the past. He further maintained that he had not issued a single complimentary railway ticket even to any employee working at his residence, underscoring his commitment to transparency and financial discipline in the department. ‘No favourite has been given any contract during my tenure. We will protect every single rupee of Pakistan Railways,’ he added.

Lahore: The Punjab Excise Department has announced significant relief to citizens for timely payment of motor vehicle token tax.

According to the department’s announcement, citizens who submit token tax by August 31, 2026 will be given a 10 percent discount.

Similarly, the Excise Department said that citizens who pay token tax before the due date will not only be able to benefit from the 10 percent discount but will also be protected from the fine imposed in case of delay.

The department said that citizens can pay token tax online from home in a safe, transparent and easy manner through e-Pay Punjab.

Officials said that e-Pay Punjab is an important effort of the Punjab government to promote digital governance and provide modern online government payment facilities to the public. E-Pay Punjab is providing easy, secure and effective payment facilities to the citizens.

They urged the citizens to pay the token tax before August 31, 2026 and avail the 10 percent discount.

Lahore: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of Group Captain Asim Tariq, who sacrificed his life while protecting the life and dignity of a woman.

In his message, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the martyred officer, saying that Group Captain Asim Tariq demonstrated exceptional courage, bravery, and devotion to duty by laying down his life in the line of honor and protection of others.

He said that the nation will always remember and respect the sacrifices of such brave sons of Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family of the martyr, adding that the entire nation shares their grief in this difficult time.

Praying for the departed soul, the Prime Minister said, ‘May Almighty Allah elevate the ranks of the martyr, grant him the highest place in His eternal mercy, and bless the bereaved family with patience and strength to bear this irreparable loss.’

The Prime Mini
ster further directed the relevant authorities to conduct a complete and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and punished strictly in accordance with the law.

Lahore: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem on Monday paid glowing tribute to the Punjab Police personnel who embraced martyrdom in a bomb blast while performing official duties in Islamabad 18 years ago.

According to a spokesperson, the IGP said the Punjab Police saluted the courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment of the brave officers and officials who laid down their lives in the line of duty, as well as their families.

“We salute the brave sons who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and their families,” the IGP said, reiterating the force’s resolve to honour the sacrifices of its martyrs.

The spokesperson said that on July 6, 2008, nine Punjab Police personnel embraced martyrdom in a bomb blast while on duty. The martyrs included one assistant sub-inspector (ASI), one head constable (HC) and seven constables.

The martyred police personnel were ASI Muhammad Nawaz, HC Atta Ullah, Constables Abid Rasheed, Khalid Mehmood, Babar Ali, Shahid Maqsood, Haq Nawaz, Amjad Iqbal and Qamar Abbas.

Lahore: Intensifying action against unregistered private schools, it has been decided to seal 30 schools in Lahore, The Education Department has issued notices to these institutions several times to get register them, however, strict action was decided if they did not comply despite the passage of the stipulated period. The District Education Authority has requested the district administration for formal cooperation and action to seal the relevant schools.

On the other hand, it has also been decided to extend the deadline for the survey of registered and unregistered schools across the city. According to CEO Education Authority Tariq Mahmood, a survey of all registered and unregistered schools in the city will be completed today. He said that so far, notices have been issued to more than 744 schools regarding registration, while action will continue against unregistered educational institutions as per the law.

Lahore: The Punjab government has issued new orders regarding single-use plastic shopping bags for environmental protection and reduction of plastic pollution, which will come into effect from September 6, 2026.

According to the order issued by the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Imran Hameed Sheikh, shops, shopping malls, hotels and other commercial centers will not be able to charge any separate price or additional charge from customers for plastic shopping bags.

The order states that charging extra money for providing plastic shopping bags to consumers will be prohibited, while strict legal action will be taken against violators. Under the new rules, a fine of Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000 can be imposed for violation. In case of serious or persistent violation, action can also be taken to seal the relevant business and register an FIR.