<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" version="2.0"><channel>
                        <title>Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune</title>
                        <atom:link href="https://tribune.com.pk" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/>
                        <link>https://tribune.com.pk</link>
                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
                        <lastBuildDate>Tue, 09 Jun 26 15:20:18 +0500</lastBuildDate>
                        <language>en-US</language>
                        <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
                        <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
                        <generator>https://laravel.com/</generator><item>
			<title>Rs6tr Punjab budget in the works</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612153/rs6tr-punjab-budget-in-the-works</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612153/rs6tr-punjab-budget-in-the-works#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:44:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Imran Adnan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612153</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Development outlay set at Rs1.45tr with Rs100b industrial package]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab government is expected to propose an annual budget of nearly Rs6 trillion, according to sources.

Citing official estimates, sources said authorities were working on an outlay of around Rs1.45 trillion for development spending.

Planning documents suggest Rs980 billion may be earmarked for core development programmes, Rs320 billion for other schemes and Rs150 billion for foreign-assisted projects.

The government is set to propose a Rs100 billion special package for small businesses and industrial development in the upcoming 2026-27 provincial budget, with concessional financing and subsidy support planned for key sectors of the economy.

The sources indicated the proposed package aimed at promoting industrial growth, exports and employment opportunities was expected to be part of the budget proposals currently in the final stage of preparation.

Under the proposal, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), manufacturing, pharmaceutical and agro-processing sectors are likely to be offered targeted financial facilities. The plan includes concessional loans and subsidies, with some sectors proposed to receive financing at up to five per cent interest.

The sources disclosed that separate financial models were under consideration for small, medium and large-scale industrial projects.

Export-oriented industries are expected to be offered long-term, low-cost financing to strengthen production capacity and external trade performance.

Proposals indicating repayment periods of five to 10 years are under consideration.

Multiple development priorities are being set ahead of the presentation of the financial plan.

Transport is expected to remain the leading sector in the development programme, with around Rs303 billion proposed for major infrastructure and mobility schemes across the province. Officials say the focus will remain on improving connectivity and urban transport systems.

Large-scale mobility projects for Lahore are part of the proposals, including feasibility work for two new metro corridors, the Blue and Purple Line. The expanded network is expected to extend Lahore&#39;s mass transit system to 97.1 kilometres.

The proposed Blue Line is planned to span 24km, including elevated and underground sections, while the Purple Line is expected to cover 19km, connecting key urban nodes from Data Darbar to Allama Iqbal International Airport.

The budget proposals also include allocations for local government development, model villages, road rehabilitation, clean water schemes and smart police stations in cities across the province.

Officials have proposed allocation of Rs250 billion for the local government sector, along with additional funding for sewerage work, infrastructure monitoring systems and urban services upgrades at the union council level.

The development planning includes initiatives in education, health, rural development, sanitation and public welfare, reflecting an effort to balance urban and rural investment priorities in the coming fiscal year.

The Punjab Assembly will begin deliberations on the budget after the presentation of the Finance Bill later this month.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/351780955094-3/351780955094-3.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Dilapidated buildings face eviction</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612161/dilapidated-buildings-face-eviction</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612161/dilapidated-buildings-face-eviction#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:52:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Qaiser Shirazi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612161</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Over 240 structures declared structurally hazardous in Rawalpindi]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The season&#39;s first heavy pre-monsoon rainfall has prompted municipal authorities, the District Council and the Education Department to take emergency measures over hundreds of dilapidated and potentially dangerous buildings across Rawalpindi district.

Following the downpour, the Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi and the District Council have issued notices directing the immediate evacuation of 241 structurally unsafe buildings identified as vulnerable to collapse during the monsoon season.

Simultaneously, the Education Department has ordered the sealing of unsafe classrooms and school buildings in both public and private educational institutions where structural damage, leaking roofs or visible cracks have been reported.

The action has also drawn attention to the lack of progress on earlier commitments to allocate funds for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of hazardous school buildings.

Despite announcements made more than a year ago, no significant practical work has reportedly been undertaken before the close of the current financial year.

Many of the endangered structures are located in the densely populated inner-city neighbourhoods of Rawalpindi, including Bohar Bazaar, Bhabra Bazaar, Mohalla Shah Chan Chiragh, Jamia Masjid Road, Sarafa Bazaar, Pull Shah Nazar, Bagh Sardaran, Mohalla Niarian, Jhangi Mohalla, Chitian Hattian, Landa Bazaar, Madanpura, Kartarpura, Mughal Sarai, Moti Bazaar, Committee Mohalla and surrounding areas of Lal Haveli.

According to officials, most of these three-storey buildings are between 100 and 140 years old and were originally owned by Hindu and Sikh families before Partition.

Following the creation of Pakistan, the properties came under Muslim occupancy. Approximately 45 per cent of the structures are administered by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

Many tenants continue to occupy the buildings under long-standing tenancy agreements dating back to the 1950s and 1960s, with monthly rents reportedly ranging from Rs4,000 to Rs10,000.

Similar conditions exist in numerous commercial properties, particularly in Mughal Sarai Market, where many ageing shops are also considered structurally unsafe.

Residents say the buildings leak heavily during rain and sway during seismic activity, yet many occupants are reluctant to vacate them for fear of losing low-rent accommodation and being unable to secure alternative housing at comparable rates.

Critics argue that municipal authorities, the District Council and the ETPB routinely issue evacuation notices during the monsoon season but rarely follow them with effective enforcement. They contend that action is often taken only after an accident occurs, at which point officials cite previously issued warnings.

Abid Ali, a tenant of one such building in Chitian Hattian, said notices issued last year had already been challenged before a civil court and the matter remains under trial. He argued that the authorities cannot repeatedly issue notices on the same matter while legal proceedings are ongoing.

However, an ETPB spokesperson said the newly issued notices would be enforced and warned that if tenants failed to vacate the dangerous properties and an accident subsequently occurred, criminal proceedings, including the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), could be initiated against the occupants.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/441780955913-6/441780955913-6.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Conservationists illuminate chambers beneath Lahore Fort</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612154/conservationists-illuminate-chambers-beneath-lahore-fort</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612154/conservationists-illuminate-chambers-beneath-lahore-fort#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:44:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Asif Mehmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612154</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Some believe they served as shelter for members of the Mughal royal family during times of crisis]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Standing beneath the towering walls of Lahore Fort, visitors are often captivated by its majestic gateways, marble palaces and centuries-old Mughal architecture. Few realise, however, that beneath their feet lies another world, a maze of underground chambers, hidden corridors and forgotten spaces that have remained shrouded in darkness and mystery for centuries.

It is a world where sunlight rarely penetrated, where passages disappeared beneath layers of earth and debris, and where history itself offers remarkably few answers.

Today, as conservation work gradually uncovers these long-forgotten spaces, a question continues to intrigue historians, archaeologists and visitors alike: What exactly happened inside these underground chambers hundreds of years ago?

The subterranean network beneath Lahore Fort consists of dozens of interconnected rooms and passageways that have recently re-emerged during restoration efforts. Over time, numerous theories have developed around their purpose.

Some believe they served as shelters for members of the royal family during times of crisis. Others suggest they may have functioned as detention cells or punishment chambers for prisoners. Yet many historians argue that the structures were simply part of the fort&rsquo;s complex architectural and defensive system.

The truth remains uncertain.

&ldquo;This is one of those rare chapters of history where many pages are missing,&rdquo; says Naheed Iftikhar, Conservation Manager with Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan, while standing inside one of the fort&rsquo;s dimly lit underground chambers.

&ldquo;Historical records do not provide clear evidence about how these spaces were used,&rdquo; she explains. &ldquo;They are among the few places where history is almost silent&rdquo;.

According to Iftikhar, when restoration work began, the chambers were buried beneath layers of soil, dust and moisture. Several ceilings had deteriorated, while deep cracks had appeared in many walls.



&ldquo;We knew there was something unusual here,&rdquo; she recalls. &ldquo;But as debris was removed, new stories seemed to emerge with every layer&rdquo;.

Above ground, Lahore Fort presents visitors with iconic attractions such as the Sheesh Mahal, the Alamgiri Gate and a range of magnificent Mughal structures. Descending underground, however, reveals an entirely different landscape.

Narrow staircases lead to vaulted passageways and labyrinth-like corridors connecting approximately 30 to 35 chambers. The arrangement creates the impression of a second fort hidden beneath the first.

Some rooms contain no visible source of natural light or ventilation. Niches carved into walls suggest places where oil lamps may once have illuminated the darkness.

Experts believe different sections of the underground complex were constructed during different periods. Some appear to date back to the reign of Emperor Jahangir, while others display architectural features associated with the era of Emperor Shah Jahan.

Among the most intriguing discoveries are several dry-style toilets attached to some chambers &mdash; a feature rarely encountered in conventional Mughal architecture.



The presence of these facilities has prompted speculation that certain occupants may have remained confined for extended periods.

Yet Iftikhar urges caution.

&ldquo;We have no direct historical evidence proving these were torture chambers or prisons,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;However, certain architectural characteristics mean such possibilities cannot be completely dismissed either&rdquo;.

The walls themselves preserve traces of the fort&rsquo;s more recent history.

Visitors can still find names, dates and inscriptions written in both English and Urdu. Some markings appear to predate the Partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, while others date from the 1950s and 1970s.

These inscriptions suggest that although the chambers remained hidden from public view, they continued to be used in one form or another throughout different periods.

One chamber in particular adds another layer to the mystery.

A doorway constructed during the British colonial era, along with an adjoining toilet facility, has led some researchers to speculate that the space may have been adapted for use as a holding area for prisoners during the colonial period.

Today, after centuries of darkness, modern technology is being carefully introduced into these historic spaces.



Tanzeeruddin, an electrical engineer involved in the restoration project, says installing modern lighting within a 500-year-old monument presented significant challenges.

&ldquo;When these structures were built, electricity did not exist,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;Our goal was to design a system that would allow visitors to safely experience the chambers without damaging the historic fabric of the monument.&rdquo;

The new lighting system is expected to allow visitors to explore parts of the underground complex even during evening hours.

For now, the chambers echo with the footsteps of conservation workers and curious visitors. Yet the questions that have surrounded them for centuries remain unresolved.

Were political prisoners once confined here? Did royal opponents spend their final days within these walls? Or were these spaces simply components of an elaborate architectural and defensive design?

Definitive answers may never emerge.

What is clear, however, is that a forgotten world beneath Lahore Fort is slowly coming back to life.



For centuries, these chambers remained buried beneath soil, darkness and neglect. Soon they will open to the public, offering visitors more than bricks and stone.

They will offer a rare opportunity to step into one of Lahore&rsquo;s least understood historical spaces, a place where mystery endures, and where history still refuses to tell its full story.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/341780955094-2/341780955094-2.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Punjab seeks Army, Rangers deployment for Muharram security</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612155/punjab-seeks-army-rangers-deployment-for-muharram-security-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612155/punjab-seeks-army-rangers-deployment-for-muharram-security-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:44:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612155</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Home Department has sought a total of 137 companies of security personnel for deployment across 39 districts of Punjab]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab government has requested the deployment of Army and Rangers personnel across the province to assist civil law enforcement agencies in maintaining security during Muharramul Haram.

According to the Punjab Home Department, a formal request has been forwarded to the federal Ministry of Interior for military support during the first 11 days of Muharram.

A spokesperson for the department said the request was made on the recommendation of Punjab Police to ensure comprehensive security arrangements for religious gatherings, processions, and other Muharram-related events.

The Home Department has sought a total of 137 companies of security personnel for deployment across 39 districts of Punjab, including 61 companies of the Pakistan Army and 76 companies of Rangers.

Officials said the personnel would be deployed from 1st to 11th Muharram in accordance with district-wise security requirements to support civil administration in maintaining peace and order.

The spokesperson added that coordination between law enforcement and security agencies was already underway to ensure peaceful observance of Muharram across the province.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/331780955094-1/331780955094-1.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Families allege harassment by hospital parking staff</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612169/families-allege-harassment-by-hospital-parking-staff</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612169/families-allege-harassment-by-hospital-parking-staff#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:52:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Yawar Hayat]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612169</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Relatives of patients said they were already under stress due to illness and treatment concerns]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Relatives of patients have complained that the conduct of parking staff at the Haripur District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital has become a major source of distress for visitors seeking medical treatment.

According to attendants, the behaviour of what they described as a &quot;parking mafia&quot; has reached alarming levels, with parking staff allegedly taking advantage of patients and their families.

They claimed that as soon as a vehicle or motorcycle enters the hospital premises, parking attendants issue parking slips without inquiry and often behave rudely towards both men and women. According to the complainants, resistance frequently leads to arguments, verbal abuse and aggressive behaviour.

Relatives of patients said they were already under stress due to illness and treatment concerns, but parking staff allegedly demanded money in a forceful manner. They further alleged that there was no visible rate list and receipts were often not provided, while questions regarding charges frequently resulted in confrontations.

They claimed that elderly patients, women and children were also subjected to such treatment.

Citizens have urged the DC and the MS of DHQ Hospital to take immediate action against the parking contractor and employees accused of misconduct.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/401780955913-2/401780955913-2.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Historic Hindu cremation ground falls into neglect</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612157/historic-hindu-cremation-ground-falls-into-neglect</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612157/historic-hindu-cremation-ground-falls-into-neglect#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:44:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sohail Shahzad]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612157</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Experts warn valuable pre-Partition landmark could disappear without conservation]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A centuries-old Hindu cremation ground in Khanewal, once an important site for the last rites of the region&#39;s Hindu community, has fallen into a state of neglect.

Located on Jahanian Road, the cremation ground, locally known as Shamshan Ghat, dates back to the pre-Partition era when Khanewal was home to sizeable Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities.

Before the Partition of the subcontinent in 1947, the site served as a key religious facility where local Hindu families performed funeral rites in accordance with their traditions.

Historical accounts suggest that Khanewal&#39;s rapid development during the British colonial period, particularly after the establishment of the railway junction in the early 20th century, led to the growth of diverse religious communities.

Alongside places of worship, cemeteries and cremation grounds were established around the expanding town.

Following Partition, most Hindu and Sikh residents migrated to India, leaving behind numerous religious and cultural sites.

As a result, the cremation ground gradually lost its original purpose and over the decades faded from public memory.

According to historical sources and local accounts, the site once covered approximately 63 kanals and seven marlas. However, its exact boundaries are now difficult to determine without official land and revenue records.

Local historian Professor Ramesh said evidence from historical traditions and records indicates that the cremation ground was used by Khanewal&#39;s Hindu community for generations before Partition.

&quot;After 1947, religious activities at the site virtually ceased. Nevertheless, the land remains an important historical and religious landmark,&quot; he said.

Residents say traces of old cremation platforms, ancient trees and remnants of historic structures could still be seen in parts of the site.

Local traditions also hold that the area was used for the cremation of Hindu adults and infants.

Elderly resident Moinuddin Qureshi said the cremation ground remained widely known among locals even decades after Partition.

&quot;Before 1947, Hindu families from across the city performed their last rites here. Even today, people refer to the place as Shamshan Ghat,&quot; he said.

According to local historians, other nearby sites such as Ram Chautra and Lachhman Chautra also served as important centres for Hindu funeral rituals in the region.

A former teacher, Ehsanul Haq, explained that the cremation ground was established in accordance with Hindu religious traditions, which generally require such sites to be located in open areas away from dense residential settlements.

Hakim Karamat Ali said the property was likely managed by a local Hindu Panchayat or the Sanatan Dharam Sabha before Partition and later became part of the abandoned properties left behind after migration.

Historical maps, including Survey of India records from 1910 to 1945, British-era railway town plans, municipal archives and Evacuee Trust Property records, have helped identify the site&#39;s original location and significance.

Now under the supervision of Hindu religious authorities, the historic site is in a deteriorating condition. Local residents say parts of the structure are on the verge of collapse due to decades of neglect.

&quot;If the government takes timely action, this valuable heritage can still be preserved for future generations,&quot; said local resident Mohsin Arain.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/371780955094-5/371780955094-5.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Board suspends staff in crackdown on cheating</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612158/board-suspends-staff-in-crackdown-on-cheating</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612158/board-suspends-staff-in-crackdown-on-cheating#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:44:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Khawar Randhawa]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612158</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Education board raids exam centres, recommends PEEDA Act action]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a crackdown aimed at eliminating cheating networks and ensuring a transparent examination system, Education Board Faisalabad Secretary Dr Saleem Taqi Shah, conducted surprise raids on various examination centres.

During the inspections, supervisory staff at multiple centres were found allegedly involved in negligence and facilitating unfair means.

As a result, the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and four supervisory staff members of Centre 262, along with the Deputy Superintendent of Centre 269 Abbaspur, were immediately suspended.

The Secretary Board also forwarded recommendations to the competent authority for strict departmental action under the PEEDA Act against the suspended officials.

According to the Board spokesperson, the action was taken after complaints of irregularities and assistance in cheating during examinations.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Saleem Taqi Shah said that a comprehensive strategy had been adopted to eliminate the &quot;booty mafia&quot; and ensure a fair and transparent examination process across the division.

He claimed that due to strict monitoring and enforcement measures, cheating networks were no longer visible inside or outside examination centres.

&quot;Under the vision of the Chief Minister Punjab, a zero-tolerance policy against cheating is being strictly implemented,&quot; he said, adding that examination centres are not solely dependent on supervisory staff, as CCTV surveillance and monitoring teams are actively overseeing the process.

He further stated that whenever even minor complaints are reported, monitoring teams are immediately dispatched to take corrective action on the spot.

&quot;The future of students is more precious than our lives,&quot; he said, stressing that no compromise would be made on merit or fairness in examinations.

Dr Shah directed examination staff to perform their duties with honesty, dedication and vigilance, and instructed them to immediately report any attempts of pressure or interference to the control room so swift action could be taken against offenders.

The board has intensified monitoring across all examination centres to ensure strict compliance with examination rules and to discourage any attempt at malpractice.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/361780955094-4/361780955094-4.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Action warned against illegal waste dumping</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612156/action-warned-against-illegal-waste-dumping</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612156/action-warned-against-illegal-waste-dumping#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:44:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612156</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Court reviewed a report concerning pollution caused by the burning of garbage behind Paragon Society]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday sought a report from the Rescue 1122 director general regarding a garbage-burning incident near a private housing society and ordered authorities to take strict action against those involved in illegal waste dumping.

Justice Shahid Karim issued the directions while hearing petitions related to smog prevention and environmental protection measures.

During the proceedings, the court reviewed a report concerning pollution caused by the burning of garbage behind Paragon Society.

The report stated that the Environment Protection Department had undertaken extensive efforts to eliminate the illegal dumping site and had deployed monitoring teams on a permanent basis to prevent further violations.

A representative of the Environmental Commission informed the court that waste dumping near Paragon City had been halted immediately following intervention by the authorities.

The Punjab government&#39;s counsel told the court that several FIRs had already been registered against the contractor allegedly involved in the dumping activities.

Questioning the effectiveness of the action taken so far, Justice Karim asked why the contractor had not yet been arrested despite multiple criminal cases against him.

The judge directed the authorities to summon the contractor and issue a formal warning that any future violations would result in strict legal action.

The court further ordered the deputy commissioner concerned to install signboards declaring the area a &quot;No Dumping Zone&quot; and instructed the local SHO to register criminal cases against anyone found disposing of waste at the site.

Justice Karim also directed the authorities to obtain an affidavit from the contractor, assuring the court that he would refrain from dumping waste at the location in the future.

Expressing concern over the fire that broke out at the dumping site, the judge observed that firefighting operations should be carried out carefully to avoid the risk of chemical leaks or explosions.

However, the petitioner&#39;s counsel argued that although dumping activities had temporarily stopped, waste was being dumped again whenever monitoring teams left the area.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/321780955094-0/321780955094-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Nursing student murdered at bus stop</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612159/nursing-student-murdered-at-bus-stop</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612159/nursing-student-murdered-at-bus-stop#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:44:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Tariq Ismail]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612159</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Suspect allegedly opened fire after failed attempt to force victim into car]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A nursing student was shot dead after an alleged abduction attempt in the Shah Sadr Din area of Dera Ghazi Khan on Monday, while the suspected attacker later took his own life. A young man who tried to rescue the victim was also injured in the incident, police said.

The police and eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at Adda Mian Ibrahim in Shah Sadr Din, where the victim, identified as nursing student Umaima Farooq, was waiting for transport at a bus stop.

Police said the suspect, identified as Tanveer Patafi, arrived at the scene in a car and allegedly attempted to force the student into the vehicle.

When she resisted, he allegedly opened fire on her, causing fatal injuries.

During the incident, a young man identified as Riaz Jarwar reportedly stepped forward to help the student and prevent the attack.

The suspect allegedly shot and injured him before turning the weapon on himself.

Eyewitnesses said that after firing at the student and the bystander, Tanveer Patafi shot himself in the head. He died at the scene.

Upon receiving information about the incident, DSP Sadar Muhammad Arshad Khan Rand and SHO Shah Sadr Din Imran Khalid, along with a heavy police contingent, rushed to the spot.

Police took both bodies into custody and shifted them to the Teaching Hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan for post-mortem examinations. The injured youth was also transported to hospital for medical treatment.

Investigators collected forensic evidence from the crime scene and launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/Dead-Body1723590307-4/Dead-Body1723590307-4.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Punjab seeks Army, Rangers deployment for Muharram security</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612032/punjab-seeks-army-rangers-deployment-for-muharram-security</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612032/punjab-seeks-army-rangers-deployment-for-muharram-security#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 07:18:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Asif Mehmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612032</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Requests services of 137 companies of personnel deployed in 39 districts of province]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Punjab has requested the deployment of Pakistan Army and Rangers personnel across the province to ensure security during Muharram, according to an official statement issued on Sunday.

A letter from the provincial home department has been sent to the Ministry of Interior seeking the services of security forces to maintain law and order and ensure the peaceful observance of Muharram processions and gatherings.

According to the notification, the request was made in view of the prevailing security environment and the need to establish a &ldquo;deliberate and foolproof security mechanism&rdquo; during Muharram to counter potential threats posed by terrorists and other miscreants.

The deployment request was submitted on the recommendations of the Provincial Police Officer and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab.

{{pdf}}

According to a Punjab Home Department spokesperson, the province has sought the deployment of 137 companies of Army and Rangers personnel across 39 districts. The request includes 61 companies of the Pakistan Army and 76 companies of the Rangers.

The notification contains a detailed district-wise deployment plan for key districts throughout Punjab. Troops are proposed to be deployed for varying periods from Muharram 1st&nbsp;to the 10th, 11th, or 12th, depending on local security requirements.

Major deployments have been proposed for Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala, Sargodha and other districts, with varying numbers of Army and Rangers companies assigned for security duties during sensitive Muharram days.

Read: Allure of old books alive in Lahore

Some districts, including Kasur and Murree, have not been allocated Army or Rangers personnel, while others, such as Lahore, Faisalabad and Pakpattan, have been assigned larger contingents due to anticipated security requirements.

The home department stated that law enforcement agencies would perform their duties to ensure a peaceful environment and effective security arrangements during the religious observances.

The spokesperson added that the request was forwarded to the Ministry of Interior on the recommendation of the Punjab Police to further strengthen security measures during Muharram.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/paaak1775806393-0/paaak1775806393-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Two held for harassment</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612160/two-held-for-harassment-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612160/two-held-for-harassment-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 21:44:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612160</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Case was registered under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Police arrested two men, including a roadside petrol seller, for allegedly harassing a woman after a video of the incident went viral on social media.

The suspects, Intizar Hussain alias Billa and Suleman alias Ehtesham, allegedly made inappropriate remarks at a woman passing by their petrol outlet on Shafee Cheela Road in Sidhu Pura.

The incident was recorded and shared online, prompting City Police Officer (CPO) Tanveer Hussain to order immediate action.

A case was registered under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and both suspects were taken into custody.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/251779310702-4/251779310702-4.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Khanpur wildfire ravages vast hillside forest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610801/khanpur-wildfire-ravages-vast-hillside-forest-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610801/khanpur-wildfire-ravages-vast-hillside-forest-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 22:12:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Yawar Hayat]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610801</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Emergency teams, volunteers contain major wildfire; large sections of forest affected by blaze]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A sudden wildfire, erupted in the Sarral (Sarrala) mountain range on the outskirts of Khanpur on Sunday, rapidly spread across several kilometres of forested land, placing valuable trees, native vegetation, and wildlife under severe threat. Rescuers succeeded in bringing a substantial portion of the blaze under control.

Upon receiving reports of the blaze, the district administration, emergency response services, and the Forest Department immediately launched coordinated firefighting operations.

Official sources said, at approximately 2am, Assistant Commissioner Khanpur Junaid Khalid arrived at the scene. Accompanied by personnel from Rescue 1122, the Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO), and other relevant officials, he inspected the affected forest area near Rani Wah. During the visit, he personally supervised the emergency response and actively participated in efforts to contain the fire.

Rescue teams, Forest Department officials, and local volunteers worked tirelessly for several hours and succeeded in bringing a substantial portion of the blaze under control. However, flames and smoke remain visible in certain remote and elevated sections of the mountainous terrain, where operations continue to fully extinguish the fire.

AC Khalid, talking to the media, emphasised that forests are a national asset and their protection is a shared responsibility. He appealed to tourists, local residents, and visitors to mountainous areas to refrain from lighting fires, discarding cigarette butts, or engaging in any activity that could potentially trigger a forest fire.

He noted that wildfires not only destroy valuable trees and natural habitats but also pose serious threats to wildlife, birds, and other rare species.

The AC further urged members of the public to immediately report any suspicious individuals or attempts to deliberately start fires to the police, the Forest Department, or the Assistant Commissioner&#39;s Office, enabling the authorities to take stringent legal action against those responsible.

In a clear and unequivocal message, the district administration stated that any individuals found responsible for deliberately setting forest fires or whose negligence contributes to such incidents will be named in First Information Reports (FIRs) and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Strict legal action will be taken against those involved, with no leniency shown.

Citizens described the efforts to reach difficult mountainous locations during the night and combat the blaze as highly commendable by the government agencies, reflecting the dedication of public institutions to serving the community.

Members of the public also called upon the government to strengthen wildfire preparedness by providing modern firefighting equipment, water tankers, specialised forest fire brigade units, drone-based surveillance systems, early fire-detection sensors, and other advanced resources to facilitate swift and effective emergency responses.

They further urged the government to adopt modern resources and comprehensive conservation strategies to protect the country&#39;s valuable forests and wildlife, ensuring the prevention of similar incidents and the preservation of natural resources for future generations.

Meanwhile, environmental experts have warned that Pakistan is already grappling with the challenges of climate change and declining forest cover. In such circumstances, incidents of forest fires pose significant risks to natural ecosystems, water resources, wildlife, and local biodiversity.

They stressed that safeguarding forests requires not only emergency interventions but also sustained public awareness campaigns, effective monitoring mechanisms, and the adoption of modern technologies.

The administration has announced that continuous monitoring of the affected area will remain in place. Officials have clarified that Rescue 1122 and Forest Department teams will stay on-site until the fire is completely extinguished.

Simultaneously, investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident and identify any individuals who may be held accountable.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/321780265612-3/321780265612-3.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>10 die in road crashes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610806/10-die-in-road-crashes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610806/10-die-in-road-crashes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 22:22:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610806</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[1,580 others injured in 1,270 Road Traffic Crashes across Punjab during last 24 hours]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least 10 people died, whereas 1,580 were injured in 1,270 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) recorded across Punjab during the last 24 hours.

Of them, 801 people were shifted to hospitals, while 778 victims with minor injuries were treated at the incident sites by Rescue Medical Teams.

The majority of the road accidents involved motorbikes. Official data showed that 853 adult and 76 underage drivers, 120 pedestrians, and 617 passengers were among the victims of road traffic crashes. The statistics showed that 188 RTCs were reported in Lahore, which affected 256 persons, placing the provincial capital at top of the list.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/381776634737-11/381776634737-11.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Divorced parents reunite with children</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609928/divorced-parents-reunite-with-children-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609928/divorced-parents-reunite-with-children-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 26 21:20:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2609928</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Parents bring Eid gifts, clothes, toys and food for children]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In the spirit of Eidul Azha celebrations, 112 divorced couples were granted special meetings with their separated children at the Family Facilitation Centre on Saturday under special directives issued by family court judges.

During the emotional reunions, parents presented Eid gifts to their children, including cash, festive clothing, shoes, spectacles, toys, earrings for young girls, watches, dolls and dozens of other presents. Many parents also brought pizza, burgers, shawarmas, juices and soft drinks for the children.

Overcome with emotion, parents embraced their children tightly, showering them with kisses through tears while reminiscing about happier times from the past.

The reunions were attended not only by parents and children, but also by extended family members including maternal and paternal uncles and aunts, grandparents and other close relatives.

Each special Eid meeting lasted between 30 and 40 minutes. Authorities confirmed that on Monday (May 25), the final round of pre-Eid reunions between divorced parents and their children will take place.

Officials stated that the alarming rise in divorce cases across Rawalpindi district has significantly increased the number of parents seeking visitation rights with separated children.

Owing to the growing caseload, such meetings - which previously took place only three or four days a month some three to four years ago - are now held throughout the week on a daily basis.

On average, between 30 and 40 divorced couples now attend the visitation sessions each day. Speaking during the visit, Chaudhry Ashfaq described the reunion day as &quot;extremely painful&quot;.

&quot;One cannot sleep the night before,&quot; he said. &quot;We arrive at the courts early in the morning, but there is immense hardship here. The weather is extremely hot these days, and families are forced to wait for long periods in scorching sunlight. It often takes one to two hours before our turn comes.&quot;

He complained about the lack of drinking water and the absence of a properly ventilated and shaded waiting area, adding that conditions become even more difficult during rainfall.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/381779658046-5/381779658046-5.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Rescued animals found in small cages</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610804/rescued-animals-found-in-small-cages</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610804/rescued-animals-found-in-small-cages#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 22:22:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Asif Mehmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610804</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Officials said relocations carried out to provide rescued animals more suitable facilities, welfare conditions]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A black bear has been transferred from Perowal Wildlife Park to Vehari Zoo and a striped hyena to Bahawalpur Zoo after a video showing the rescued animals confined in small cages was shared on social media.

The video was shared by a non-governmental organisation, Mission Awareness Foundation (MAF), which urged wildlife authorities to take immediate notice of the animals&#39; living conditions.

According to the organisation, the striped hyena had been rescued from a circus company and the black bear from Muzaffargarh.

Both animals had reportedly been housed at Perowal Wildlife Park for the past two months.

MAF Chairman Fahad Malik said, &quot;Keeping wild animals in cramped cages in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius is not conservation; it is cruelty.&quot;

Following the circulation of the video on social media, Punjab wildlife authorities reviewed the matter and took steps to relocate the animals.

According to wildlife officials, the black bear has been transferred to Vehari and striped hyena to Bahawalpur Zoo.

Officials said the relocations had been carried out to provide the rescued animals more suitable facilities and welfare conditions while decisions regarding their long-term management were being considered.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/421780266233-3/421780266233-3.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Cantonment library persists as key academic centre</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610802/cantonment-library-persists-as-key-academic-centre-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610802/cantonment-library-persists-as-key-academic-centre-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 22:12:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[DNA]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610802</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Houses around 50k books in Urdu, English, Persian, making it one of the region's prominent academic institutions]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Rawalpindi Cantonment Public Library, established in 1891, continues to serve as a major centre of academic and literary activity.

Talking to the media, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) Aamir Rashid said the library houses around 50,000 books in Urdu, English and Persian, making it one of the region&#39;s prominent academic institutions.

He said the library was originally named the Lansdowne Trust Library in honour of the then Viceroy and Governor-General of the subcontinent, Lord Lansdowne. Its foundation stone was laid in 1891 on Mall Road by Sardar Kirpal Singh and Sardar Sujan Singh Rai Bahadur, with an initial collection of about 5,000 books.

Rashid said the institution was established to promote knowledge and literature while providing a peaceful and high-quality study environment for British families residing in the cantonment. Over time, it evolved into an important resource for the general public. He said the library was initially located on Kashmir Road but was shifted in 1980.

Rashid noted that at the time of its establishment, it was the only library in the city and served as a central hub for knowledge seekers.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/331780265612-4/331780265612-4.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Precautions urged against hot weather</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610807/precautions-urged-against-hot-weather</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610807/precautions-urged-against-hot-weather#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 22:22:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610807</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Weather system responsible for rainfall dissipates]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A weather system responsible for recent rainfall across Punjab has dissipated, leading to a rise in temperatures as strong sunshine returned across the province on Sunday morning.

According to the Meteorological Department, hot and dry weather is expected to prevail across Punjab over the next 24 hours following the end of the rain-producing system.

Weather experts report a gradual increase in temperatures, with the minimum temperature expected to remain around 28&deg;C, while the maximum temperature could reach 38&deg;C.

The Met Office stated that no new rain-bearing weather system is expected to enter Punjab in the coming days, raising the likelihood of more intense heat.

Authorities advised citizens to limit unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight, stay hydrated and take precautionary measures to avoid heat-related illnesses.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/411780266232-2/411780266232-2.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Racing cars collision leaves four dead</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610796/racing-cars-collision-leaves-four-dead-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610796/racing-cars-collision-leaves-four-dead-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 22:12:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610796</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Four others injured as two cars collide with motorbike near Athal Chowk in early hours of Sunday]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least four people were killed and four others injured when two cars collided with a motorbike near Athal Chowk, Bharakahu in Islamabad in the early hours of Sunday.

Reports suggest that the accident occurred after a Land Cruiser and another vehicle, which appeared to have been racing against each other, collided in the early hours of the morning, causing motorcyclists passing by to crash as well. While registering a case at Bharakahu police station, Safar Sadar, a resident of Phulgran, told the police that the drivers of a fast-moving Land Cruiser and a Toyota Aqua coming from Murree were racing, due to which eight people were hurt near Uthal Chowk. A police official confirmed that four people were killed on the spot, while two others sustained critical injuries in the accident.

The accused drivers fled after abandoning their vehicles. Both vehicles were seized by the police and investigations to trace the accused are ongoing.

The deceased included Naseer Abbasi and Amir, while the identities of the other two victims have not yet been confirmed.

The injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Police said further investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/351780265612-6/351780265612-6.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>'Quack' arrested after woman, child's death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610811/quack-arrested-after-woman-childs-death</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610811/quack-arrested-after-woman-childs-death#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 22:22:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610811</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Two held after Batala Colony police registered case against five suspects]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A woman and her newborn baby died during delivery, following which Batala Colony police registered a case against five suspects and arrested two of them, including a woman.

According to police sources, the complainant Basharat Ali, a resident of Gulshan Ali Town, stated in the FIR that his 30-year-old sister Hira was taken to a hospital for delivery.

He alleged that the suspects examined the woman and shifted her to an operation theatre.

During the procedure, an injection was allegedly administered, after which the woman&#39;s condition worsened.

She was shifted in a private ambulance to Allied Hospital-I, where she died shortly after arrival. The unborn child also did not survive.

The complainant alleged that the deaths had occurred due to medical negligence, prompting protest from the family.

Batala Colony Station House Officer (SHO) Zahir Akhtar arrested an alleged quack and her associate Imran after registering a case under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code against five suspects. The police launched a search for the remaining suspects.

Police officials said the arrested suspects were allegedly unqualified medical practitioners.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/dead-body1777064024-2/dead-body1777064024-2.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item>	</channel>
                </rss>
