Lahore: The Punjab government has decided to enforce a strict crackdown on government vehicles that contribute to environmental degradation and in this regard, a letter has been issued by Director General Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab. The crackdown will start after January 30, teams from the Environment and Transport Departments would begin inspecting government vehicles to ensure compliance with environmental standards. EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh, has written to all provincial departments, commissioners, and deputy commissioners, urging them to ensure that vehicle inspection certificates were obtained before the deadline. The crackdown aims to reduce pollution levels caused by poorly maintained government vehicles. The directive mandates that all officers and officials ensure the inspection of their respective departmental vehicles and obtain the necessary certifications before the January 30 deadline.
Dr Zahid Iqbal successfully completes PhD dissertation at AUP
Peshawar: The University of Agriculture Peshawar (AUP) on Monday proudly announced the successful PhD dissertation defense of Dr Zahid Iqbal, a distinguished scholar from the Department of Rural Development, Institute of Development Studies and a dedicated officer in the Excise and Taxation Department.
Dr Zahid Iqbal completed his doctoral research under the supervision of Prof Dr Malik Inayatullah Jan.
His dissertation, titled "Access to Inclusive and Quality Education for Sustainable Rural Development in the Newly Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," was well-received and endorsed by esteemed international professors from Portugal and Spain.
During the defense seminar, Dr Zahid skillfully addressed questions posed by the participants, demonstrating his depth of knowledge and commitment to the subject matter.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including Dean of the Faculty of Rural Social Sciences, Prof Dr Zafarullah Khan Marwat; Prof Dr Zafar Mahmood; Chairman of the Department of Entomology, Dr Amjad Usman; DASAR Prof Dr Muhammad Sajid; Dr. Muhammad Shafi Malik; Dr Shahzad Ahmed; Dr. Ishrat Naz; Dr Tahseenullah; along with faculty members and students.
All attendees extended their heartfelt congratulations to both Dr Zahid Iqbal and his supervisor, Prof. Malik Inayatullah Jan, on this academic achievement.
They expressed optimism that Dr Zahid's research will significantly contribute to sustainable rural development, particularly in the newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
ICT Police arrest 3 proclaimed offender, extortionists
Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have arrested three suspects, including a proclaimed offender involved in the murder of three individuals and two members of an extortion gang who demanded PKR 10 million from a businessman under threat of death.
A police spokesperson told reporter on Monday that Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police, Syed Ali Raza, announced the arrests during a news conference on Monday, adding that the suspects were apprehended during operations and police recovered weapons, ammunition, a motorcycle, and mobile phones used in the crimes.
He said during a press conference at the Rescue 15 Field Office, DIG Raza said that the arrests were made as part of a focused campaign under the special directives of Inspector General of Police Islamabad, Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, to apprehend proclaimed offenders involved in serious crimes.
DIG Raza explained that in Shahzad Town, a police team intercepted two suspicious individuals on a motorcycle. Upon being stopped, the suspects opened fire on the police. However, thanks to bulletproof vests and precautionary measures, the officers remained unharmed.
DIG Raza said one suspect, identified as Ghulam Hussain Shah, was arrested on the spot with a 30-bore pistol, while his accomplice managed to escape. Investigations revealed that Shah was wanted in multiple cases, including three murders and the injury of four individuals. He and his accomplices were responsible for a September 26, 2024, shooting in the Ramna area that killed Taseer Hussain Shah and Wajid while injuring another person. Additionally, on January 2, 2025, Shah and his accomplices opened fire in Shahzad Town, killing Syed Aun Shah and injuring three others. Efforts to apprehend his accomplices are ongoing.
In another major breakthrough, the Anti-Robbery and Anti-Extortion Unit arrested two suspects, Akram and Muhammad Imran, who demanded PKR 10 million from a businessman via WhatsApp calls, threatening to kill him if the demands were not met. The arrests were made using advanced technical methods. Police also recovered a mobile phone, motorcycle, and weapons used in the crime.
DIG Syed Ali Raza reiterated Islamabad Police's commitment to tackling serious crimes and ensuring public safety.
Prosecutor general takes notice of brutal murder of daughter-in-law
Lahore: In a swift response to a tragic domestic incident, Prosecutor General of Punjab, Syed Farhad Ali Shah, on Monday took notice of an alarming case in Harappa, Sahiwal, where a father-in-law and his two daughters set fire on his daughter-in-law, Umme Kalsoom, following a minor domestic dispute.
The prosecutor general summoned the investigative officer and sought a progress review of the investigation under the Punjab Criminal Prosecution Service Act, Section 3(10)(C).
During a briefing, the investigating officer informed the prosecutor general that the accused had been arrested and sent to judicial lock-up.
However, the prosecutor general raised concerns over the lack of recovery during the physical remand and the failure to investigate the case under the Anti-Rape Act of 2021, which mandates the investigation of such offenses under a Grade 17 police officer. The prosecutor general also questioned the reason behind not pursuing the case based on legal merit.
In response, the investigative officer was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the shortcomings in the investigation.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the investigation's handling, Syed Farhad Ali Shah issued a formal memorandum to the District Police Officer (DPO) Sahiwal, instructing that the case be transferred to the SSOI Unit for further investigation under the supervision of a senior officer. He also called for an explanation regarding the non-implementation of the Anti-Rape Act and related regulations in this case.
Emphasizing the importance of justice, the prosecutor general reiterated that under the leadership of Punjab's Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, the protection of citizens' lives and property, along with the prompt delivery of justice, remains the government's top priorities.
ICT Police arrest 3 proclaimed offender, extortionists
Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have arrested three suspects, including a proclaimed offender involved in the murder of three individuals and two members of an extortion gang who demanded PKR 10 million from a businessman under threat of death.
A police spokesperson told reporter on Monday that Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police, Syed Ali Raza, announced the arrests during a news conference on Monday, adding that the suspects were apprehended during operations and police recovered weapons, ammunition, a motorcycle, and mobile phones used in the crimes.
He said during a press conference at the Rescue 15 Field Office, DIG Raza said that the arrests were made as part of a focused campaign under the special directives of Inspector General of Police Islamabad, Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, to apprehend proclaimed offenders involved in serious crimes.
DIG Raza explained that in Shahzad Town, a police team intercepted two suspicious individuals on a motorcycle. Upon being stopped, the suspects opened fire on the police. However, thanks to bulletproof vests and precautionary measures, the officers remained unharmed.
DIG Raza said one suspect, identified as Ghulam Hussain Shah, was arrested on the spot with a 30-bore pistol, while his accomplice managed to escape. Investigations revealed that Shah was wanted in multiple cases, including three murders and the injury of four individuals. He and his accomplices were responsible for a September 26, 2024, shooting in the Ramna area that killed Taseer Hussain Shah and Wajid while injuring another person. Additionally, on January 2, 2025, Shah and his accomplices opened fire in Shahzad Town, killing Syed Aun Shah and injuring three others. Efforts to apprehend his accomplices are ongoing.
In another major breakthrough, the Anti-Robbery and Anti-Extortion Unit arrested two suspects, Akram and Muhammad Imran, who demanded PKR 10 million from a businessman via WhatsApp calls, threatening to kill him if the demands were not met. The arrests were made using advanced technical methods. Police also recovered a mobile phone, motorcycle, and weapons used in the crime.
DIG Syed Ali Raza reiterated Islamabad Police's commitment to tackling serious crimes and ensuring public safety.
Rain chills Peshawar, snowfall likely in Northern Areas
Peshawar: Rain in the provincial capital on Monday intensified the cold, forcing residents to turn back to warm clothing after a brief respite from the harsh winter.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecasted further drops in temperature in Peshawar, coupled with the possibility of snowfall in upper regions. Areas including Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to witness fresh snowfall.
Officials have also cautioned about the risk of landslides in the mountainous terrains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, urging residents and travelers to exercise caution.
Temperatures in the winter regions are already below freezing, with severe cold gripping the northern belt. Authorities are on alert as the wintry conditions are expected to persist in the coming days.