Category: Lahore

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.

Lahore: The significant drop in gold prices in the global bullion market also affected the local market, where a major decline was recorded in the prices of both gold and silver.

The price of gold per ounce in the international market fell by $36 to $3,994, after which a decline in the prices of precious metals was also seen in Pakistan.

In the local bullion market, the price of gold per tola fell by Rs3,600 to Rs421,836, while the price of 10 grams of gold fell by Rs3,086 to Rs361,656.

On the other hand, silver prices also continued to decline. Silver per tola fell by Rs 126 to Rs 6,029, while the price of 10 grams of silver fell by Rs 108 to Rs 5,168.

Lahore: Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi has chaired an important meeting at the National Hockey Stadium on Friday regarding the upcoming CM Punjab Champions League.

Deputy Director Sports Zahoor Ahmed attended the meeting in person while Vice President Pakistan Railways Sports Board Hamdan Nazir joined the meeting online.

The meeting reviewed organisational arrangements, team composition and the competition format for the league, which is scheduled to be held in the last week of July with the collaboration of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan Railway and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Addressing the meeting, Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi informed that the tournament would be played in four pools. Pool A will comprise teams from Bahawalpur, Lahore and Sargodha divisions, while Pool B will feature DG Khan, Lahore Green and Faisalabad. Pool C will include Multan, Lahore Blue and Gujranwala, whereas Pool D will consist of Sahiwal, Gujrat and Rawalpindi teams.

Qureshi said that the league would also feature four women’s teams, highlighting the commitment to promoting cricket among female athletes across Punjab.

‘The best performers emerging from the CM Punjab Champions League would be selected for the Punjab team, which will participate in the Pakistan Cup,’ he added.

The Director General Sports added that the competition would provide a valuable platform for talented cricketers to showcase their skills and earn higher-level opportunities. ‘The tournament would feature both national and international cricketers, making it a highly competitive event’.

Deputy Director Sports Zahoor Ahmed attended the meeting in person while Vice President Pakistan Railways Sports Board Hamdan Nazir joined the meeting online.