Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Punjab government has decided to launch a unique and comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of prisoners and the elimination of violent behavior in jails. For the first time, a regular de-radicalization program will be introduced in all jails of the province for the assessment of the behavior of prisoners, psychological support and rehabilitation.

The decision on this plan was taken in a high-level meeting held in the Punjab Home Department, which was chaired by Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi. The meeting reviewed in detail the framework model to be prepared for the de-radicalization and rehabilitation of prisoners. The meeting was also attended by IG Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, Chief Coordination Officer Ghulam Sagheer Shahid, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Borana and Deputy Coordination Officer Dr. Ahmed Khawar.

Under the project, de-radicalization centers will be established in all jails of Punjab, where psychological assessment of prisoners as well as prison staff will be conducted. Special training on non-violence, positive attitudes and social rehabilitation will be provided in these centers, while special counseling will also be provided to those involved in terrorism cases and prisoners who commit repeated crimes.

According to officials, prisoners with violent behaviors will be identified during the program, their personality, thinking and behavior will be psychologically assessed and appropriate treatment and rehabilitation will be initiated.

According to the details, in this project, the families of such prisoners will also be made part of the training program so that their effective social rehabilitation can be made possible after their release. A report based on the progress of the prisoners concerned will also be compiled every month under the program.

Addressing the meeting, Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi directed the Prisons Department to prepare a special training manual and said that this project for the rehabilitation of prisoners will prove to be a great national service.

He stressed that special training models should be prepared keeping in mind the religious, social and cultural traditions of Pakistan, while the process of counseling the prisoners should also be completed before their release.

Lahore: At least six people were killed and 1,726 others injured in 1,490 road traffic accidents reported across Punjab during the last 24 hours, according to the Emergency Services Department (Rescue 1122).

A spokesperson said emergency teams responded to road accidents in all 37 districts of the province. Of the total injured, 731 with serious injuries were shifted to hospitals, while 995 victims with minor injuries were provided first aid at the scene by rescue medical teams.

According to the data, the victims included 1,037 drivers, 70 underage drivers, 145 pedestrians and 550 passengers.

Lahore recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents, with 289 crashes affecting 357 people, followed by Multan with 100 accidents involving 106 victims. Gujranwala ranked third with 75 accidents in which 84 people were affected.

The spokesperson said 1,620 motorcycles, 116 auto-rickshaws, 148 cars, 25 vans, eight passenger buses, 46 trucks and 85 other vehicles and slow-moving carts were involved in the reported road accidents.

Lahore: Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Friday announced an ambitious expansion and modernisation plan for Pakistan Railways after inaugurating the restored Bulleh Shah Passenger Train, saying several new train services, station upgrades and infrastructure projects would be launched to improve rail travel across the country.

Addressing a media briefing after the inauguration ceremony, the minister said the Bulleh Shah Passenger Train had been restored after remaining suspended for 15 years despite strong public demand. He said Pakistan Railways was steadily moving towards progress and more train services would be restored as resources became available. He announced that the Ravi Express would be relaunched later this month, while preparations were also underway to start a Lahore-Wagah train service.

Hanif Abbasi said Pakistan Railways would induct 64 new passenger coaches instead of the previously planned 32, while 43 GEU locomotives would be overhauled and dedicated to freight operations. He expressed confidence that the department’s performance would improve by at least 32 per cent.

The minister said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had allocated Rs2 billion for the upgradation of Lahore Railway Station, while the Punjab government would also finance the Shahdara-Raiwind railway project. He added that Khanewal, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala railway stations had already been upgraded to state-of-the-art standards.

Highlighting safety initiatives, Hanif Abbasi said Pakistan Railways had signed an agreement with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to develop Safe and Smart Railway Stations. He said 184 surveillance cameras had already been installed at Rawalpindi Railway Station, while Lahore, Multan, Khanewal and Karachi railway stations would also be equipped with modern surveillance systems in the second phase of the project.

The minister said the government was engaging with the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to install railway crossing gates across the provinces, adding that the ML-1 and ML-3 railway projects would be completed during the present government’s tenure.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Railways Malik Rashid Ahmad said he had raised the demand for restoring the Lahore-Pakpattan train service three months ago, adding that the suspension of the Bulleh Shah Passenger Train for 15 years had caused serious difficulties for people of the region. He said Pakistan Railways’ revenue had increased to Rs115 billion and urged the public to support the national railway by purchasing tickets and ensuring the Bulleh Shah Passenger Train continued operating successfully.

Lahore: The Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority (PHOTA) on Friday approved renal transplantation licences for Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases and Saleem Memorial Hospital Lahore, while Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center (PKLIandRC), Lahore, was granted permission to perform pancreas transplantation for the next three years.

The approvals were granted during the 40th meeting of the PHOTA Monitoring Authority chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique. The meeting endorsed the recommendations of the Executive Committee after inspections of the respective hospitals.

Director General PHOTA Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aamir Zaman Khan presented various agenda items for approval. The meeting approved the minutes of the 39th Monitoring Authority meeting and reviewed the implementation report of its decisions. Members also approved the revised budget estimates for the financial year 2025-26 and the budget estimates for 2026-27.

The meeting also considered several proposals to transform PHOTA into a paperless organization and approved the purchase of premises for the authority’s head office.

Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said the Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority was being strengthened in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to expand its capacity and provide the best possible healthcare facilities to the people. He said strict action was being taken against those involved in the illegal transplantation of human organs, adding that PHOTA had played a significant role in saving thousands of lives.

The Director General PHOTA said the authority was being developed on modern lines in accordance with the Punjab government’s vision. He emphasized that individuals involved in illegal human organ transplantation in Punjab deserved no leniency.

The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Waseem and other officials. President Pakistan Medical Association Dr. Izhar Ahmed Chaudhry, Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology Prof. Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab, President Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan Lahore Chapter Prof. Javed Chaudhry, Senior Research Officer National Health Research Complex Saima Naz Mohsin, Additional Secretary Home Department Abdul Rauf and other members also participated. Dean PKLIandRC Prof. Faisal Saud Dar, Dr. Arif Nadeem and Dr. Muhammad Yasir Khan from the Transplantation Society attended the meeting through video link.

Lahore: The Auxiliary Spillway of Tarbela Reservoir successfully operated today for the first time during Flood Season 2026.

The operation commenced at 1100 hours in strict accordance with all Standard Operating Procedures. The District Administration, local police, and all departments concerned were informed in advance through an official notification and via the designated Flood Coordination Center, according to WAPDA spokesman here Friday.

The spillway operation concluded smoothly at 1430 hours. A total of 242,600 cusecs of water was released into the Indus River downstream of Tarbela Dam. All technical and safety parameters remained well within safe limits throughout the operation.

The relevant authorities and administrative and security departments remained on high alert and ensured necessary precautionary measures for public safety.

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday extended the judicial remand of PTI leader Ghulam Mohiuddin Dewan by 14 days in a May 9 case involving alleged incendiary speeches and arson at Sherpao Bridge.

The accused was produced before the court from prison upon the expiry of his previous judicial remand.

During the hearing, the investigating officer informed the court that the supplementary challan in the case was in the final stages of preparation and would be submitted shortly.

ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill, after hearing the matter, extended the accused’s judicial remand for another 14 days.

According to the prosecution, Ghulam Mohiuddin Dewan was present at the scene of the incident and was allegedly involved in delivering provocative speeches and acts of arson and vandalism at Sherpao Bridge on May 9.

Police stated that the accused has been arrested in FIR No. 97/23 registered at Sarwar Road Police Station and is alleged to have participated in the incident along with other PTI leaders.