Category: Lahore

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday indicted TikToker Sarah Khan for allegedly inciting public unrest by falsely claiming to be the mother of an alleged rape victim from a private college in Lahore.

ATC Judge Arshad Javed presided over the proceedings, during which the accused was brought from jail and presented before the court.

The court formally framed charges against her, to which she pleaded not guilty and contended to contest the case.

Following her plea, the court directed the prosecution to produce witnesses for testimony at the next hearing, scheduled for February 22.

The Gulberg police station had registered a case against Khan under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

The case stems from a widely circulated video on social media in which the TikToker claimed to be the mother of a student allegedly assaulted at a private college in Lahore. The video sparked panic and outrage among students, leading to protests and disorder at the institution.

The police alleged that the video was fabricated to gain social media attention, with false claims aimed at stirring emotions and spreading misinformation.

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza reviewed the cleanliness and anti-encroachment measures during his visit to Model Town Tehsil on Tuesday.

Accompanied by Chief Officer Metropolitan Corporation Lahore Shahid Abbas Kathia, Assistant Commissioner Model Town Abdul Basit Siddiqui, and other officials, the DC visited Walton Road, surrounding areas, and the Shanghai Bridge Drain.

During the visit, the Assistant Commissioner briefed him on ongoing efforts to improve sanitation, remove encroachments, and relocate temporary settlements and animals.

The DC instructed Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) officials to conduct unannounced field checks to ensure the presence of sanitation workers and adherence to cleaning schedules. He directed the Walton Cantonment Board to intensify its sanitation efforts and emphasized the swift clearance of waste piles from main roads, streets, and small units before city activities commence. He also instructed WASA to immediately clean the Shanghai Bridge Drain to mitigate environmental pollution.

Further directives included the removal of both permanent and temporary encroachments and a strict prohibition on unauthorized banners, streamers, and posters. He also ordered the relocation of animals and informal settlements from residential areas to designated alternative locations.

The DC stressed that true cleanliness is achieved when waste does not reappear once removed. He reaffirmed that the administration is actively pursuing the ‘Clean Mission’ as per the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Lahore: The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (Punjab Zone) has said that Sugar Industry appreciates and supports efforts of the federal and provincial governments of providing cheapest sugar to domestic consumers in the holy month of Ramadan and would make discounted sugar available at Rs 130 through sale points to be established throughout the country.

About current sugar prices, the spokesman said that sugar prices mainly are controlled by market forces of demand and supply but sugar market sensitivities are influenced by speculators by spreading false and exaggerated news to make money at the cost of consumers, sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry. Such rumour mongering is sponsored by the stakeholders of this illegal trade which emerges as it's sole beneficiary. The sugar industry strongly appeals to the government to uproot these elements and take action against speculators for the common good of consumers, farmers and the sugar industry.

The PSMA appreciated Punjab government's action of partial deregulation of sugar sector and requested the federal government to completely deregulate sugar sector to ensure survivability of this crucial agro-based industry providing import substitution worth US$5 billion.

Lahore: The Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali has said that sports are necessary for physical as well as mental well-being.

He was addressing the 98th annual sports gala and fun fair organized by Punjab University Hailey College of Commerce (HCC). College Principal Prof Dr Hafiz Zafar Ahmed, faculty members and a large number of students participated in the event. Cricket, badminton, football, volleyball, basketball, long jump, short jump, race and others are being organized among faculty members, students and employees in the five-day annual sports and funfair.

PU VC Dr Muhammad Ali participated in badminton, football and cricket competitions while visiting the annual sports gala. He said that sports are important to live a healthy life and encourage positivity in society. He said that organising such activities also promotes the tendency of competition among students. He praised the college administration for organizing a healthy activity. Dr Hafiz Zafar Ahmed, while thanking PU VC Dr Muhammad Ali for his cooperation, said that Hailey College of Commerce will continue to play a role in providing positive and healthy activities for its students.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Kirmani chaired a meeting at the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) head office in Lahore to review the ongoing sewerage and other projects under PMDFC.

The meeting was attended by PMDFC Chairman Immad Iftikhar Malik, MD Syed Zahid Aziz, and other officers.

During the briefing, PMDFC Chairman Immad Iftikhar Malik informed the provincial minister that for the first time in Punjab's history, revolutionary projects have been initiated on the directive of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the province's sewerage system.

The provincial minister said that the chief minister has allocated billions of rupees to improve the sewerage and sanitation system across the province. Kirmani also praised PMDFC's excellent performance, acknowledging the company's significant efforts in addressing sewerage-related issues. The project of underground water storage tanks for rainwater and drainage is particularly commendable, he added.

The minister endorsed that with the use of modern technology, every city in Punjab will be equipped with improved facilities within the next two years. Ashiq Hussain Kirmani also directed PMDFC to launch an extensive awareness campaign to educate citizens about sewerage and sanitation.

PMDFC Chairman Immad Iftikhar Malik said that as per the chief minister's directives, work is under way to enhance the municipal services, particularly the sewerage system across the province. Under the Punjab Cities Programme, projects for parks, roads and streetlight installations in 16 cities have been successfully completed.

Managing Director Syed Zahid Aziz on the occasion said that the underground water storage tanks will enable the use of stored water for irrigation in city's parks.

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Sanam Javed, challenging the issuance of a show-cause notice to her guarantor over her absence from a court hearing in the May 9 case.

A two-member bench, led by LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, heard the petition. Sanam Javed appeared before the court alongside her father and guarantor, Javed Khan.

During the hearing, Sanam Javed's counsel contended that the anti-terrorism court had unjustly canceled her surety bonds and issued notices to her guarantor due to her absence. He requested the court to annul the decision.

After hearing arguments, the court dismissed the petition.