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                        <title>Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>LHC orders criminal case against CCD officers over 'illegal custody' of citizen</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617525/lhc-orders-criminal-case-against-ccd-officers-over-illegal-custody-of-citizen</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617525/lhc-orders-criminal-case-against-ccd-officers-over-illegal-custody-of-citizen#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 26 12:35:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Rana Yasif]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617525</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Orders Okara DPO to register FIR against the officials concerned, submit compliance report in 15 days]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered the registration of a criminal case against officials of the Crime Control Department (CCD) over the alleged illegal detention of a citizen, ruling that video evidence contradicted the department&#39;s account of the incident.

Justice Amjad Rafiq issued the written order while hearing a petition filed by Maqsooda Bibi, directing the Okara district police officer (DPO) to register a first information report (FIR) against the officials concerned and submit a compliance report within 15 days.

According to the written order, the petitioner submitted that Gulfam Ali was released from jail on June 27 but was immediately taken into custody outside the prison by individuals dressed in plain clothes.

Read: Fatal CCD shooting case deepens

During the proceedings, the court examined the CCTV footage of the incident submitted by the superintendent of the Lahore District Jail and other evidence available on record.

Lahore Defence CCD Inspector/Incharge Akhtar Ali told the judge that Gulfam had been arrested in connection with a criminal case registered in Okara on July 2, however, Justice Rafiq observed that the CCD&#39;s version was contradicted by the video evidence before the court.

The judge held that submitting an incorrect report to the court and keeping a citizen in unlawful custody were cognisable offences warranting criminal proceedings.

The court subsequently directed the Okara DPO to register an FIR against the officials concerned and submit a report after complying with the order.

On June 18, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), in a post on&nbsp;X, had cautioned the Punjab government about the rise of extrajudicial killings by CCD in Punjab.

The organisation noted that the CCD &quot;routinely&quot; adopted the use of lethal force as a tactic to control crime.



HRCP notes with alarm that extrajudicial killings have continued in Punjab despite the organisation having cautioned the Punjab government in an earlier report that the @CCD_Punjab appeared to be routinely adopting the use of lethal force as a tactic to &lsquo;control&rsquo; crime. Since the&hellip;
&mdash; Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) June 18, 2026


&quot;Since the CCD was formed in April 2025, HRCP has documented 808 police &lsquo;encounters&rsquo; in which at least 1,100 suspects have been killed,&quot; the post underscored, adding, &quot;The fact that this normalisation of lethal force outside due process has directly resulted in the death of a nine-year-old child should be a call to conscience for the Punjab government.&quot;

The HRCP lamented that while the CCD acknowledged the incident as a &quot;violation&quot;&nbsp;of departmental rules, it could not be treated as an isolated operational failure, nor could internal accountability be substituted for independent oversight.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Govt initiates housing safety loan scheme</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617223/govt-initiates-housing-safety-loan-scheme</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617223/govt-initiates-housing-safety-loan-scheme#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 26 21:40:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617223</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rs500,000 to be provided for strengthening dilapidated residences]]>
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				<![CDATA[Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has decided to launch the &quot;Apna Ghar, Mehfooz Ghar&quot; programme under the existing &quot;Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar&quot; initiative to make homes across the province safer and prevent tragedies like the recent Kahna roof collapse.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by the chief minister, where it was agreed to expand the scope of the housing programme.

Under the proposed initiative, interest-free loans of Rs500,000 will be provided for the renovation and strengthening of houses with weak roofs or dilapidated structures. Interest-free loans of Rs1 million will also be offered in instalments for constructing an additional storey.

The participants were informed that interest-free loans had been approved for more than 180,000 homeless families under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme and disbursed to 170,000 of them. An amount of Rs217.8 billion has been released for the programme and around 27,500 houses are in the final stages of completion.

Officials said 134,343 houses had been completed across Punjab under the programme, while more than 1.278 million applications had been received from homeless families.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered that the second instalment under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme be released within three days.

The officials stated that 2,000 plots had been distributed in 23 districts under the Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar programme. A report on rehabilitation and development work in the areas was also presented.

The chief minister ordered that the process for obtaining housing loans be made easier. She said the 2,000 homeless families that had received free plots from the government would also be provided loans for construction.

She said the Punjab government would assist families in making unsafe, weak and dilapidated houses secure and better.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the housing initiatives were flagship projects of the Punjab government and negligence in them would not be tolerated.

She said there should be no changes in the eligibility criteria or procedures for obtaining housing loans.

Lawmaking

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan called on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and both leaders agreed to promote the proceedings of the legislature through mutual coordination.

They also discussed legislative matters relating to prison reforms.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the speaker to ensure the participation of both treasury and opposition members in the legislative process.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan congratulated the chief minister on the balloting held for an initiative for landless farmers.

The chief minister described the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar scheme as the achievement of the entire team and said the Punjab government was introducing new public welfare projects every day. She said the scheme had provided land and livelihood opportunities to 30,000 families.

She said the government&#39;s focus was now on underdeveloped areas, where electric buses and modern agricultural machinery was being brought.]]>
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			<title>Al, drone traffic watch launched</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617224/al-drone-traffic-watch-launched</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617224/al-drone-traffic-watch-launched#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 26 21:40:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617224</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Continuous drone surveillance will also help monitor traffic flow and congestion on major arteries throughout the city]]>
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				<![CDATA[An artificial intelligence-based drone traffic monitoring system has been launched in Lahore as part of digital transformation of road safety and management.

Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi inaugurated the initiative by conducting live monitoring of major roads during peak traffic hours using thermal drone technology.

He stated that drone-based surveillance would play a vital role in identifying traffic congestion, assessing road engineering issues and supporting long-term traffic management solutions across Lahore.

The CTO said that whenever traffic congestion would be reported, a drone would be deployed immediately to the location to assess the situation, identify the underlying causes and provide real-time aerial intelligence to the Traffic Management Centre for prompt operational response.

He stated that AI-powered analytics would enable timely identification of traffic bottlenecks, allowing officers to make informed decisions and implement immediate corrective measures.

Continuous drone surveillance will also help monitor traffic flow and congestion on major arteries throughout the city.

According to the official, the integration of thermal drone technology will significantly enhance the efficiency of traffic management by providing real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities. The technology will support evidence-based traffic planning and improve mobility for commuters.

The drone monitoring system will also be utilised to detect smoke-emitting vehicles, one-way traffic violations, illegal parking, roadside encroachment and other factors contributing to traffic disruption. In addition, the drones will assist the traffic police in evaluating road engineering deficiencies that affect flow and road safety.

The CTO added that video footage captured through drone surveillance would be securely preserved and shared with relevant government departments to facilitate coordinated action for resolving traffic and infrastructure-related issues.]]>
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			<title>Ring Road project wins judicial reprieve</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617230/ring-road-project-wins-judicial-reprieve</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617230/ring-road-project-wins-judicial-reprieve#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 26 22:23:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Jamil Mirza]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617230</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[LHC rules govt must honour approvals; restrains RDA from interfering with project]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Lahore High Court&#39;s Rawalpindi Bench has issued its detailed verdict against the proposed cancellation of a no-objection certificate (NOC) and demolition of construction on 102 kanals and 14 marlas of land linked to the controversy over issuance of an NOC for a service area before the inauguration of the Rawalpindi Ring Road.

The court held that in a civilised society, citizens must have confidence that promises and approvals given by the government and its institutions will be honoured, and that the government cannot backtrack on its decisions.

It also described the conduct of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) as irresponsible and ordered that the NOC remain valid.

Justice Jawad Hassan disposed of a petition filed by citizen Mazhar Rahim Awan. According to the petitioner, he had obtained all required NOCs from the RDA and other relevant authorities for a service area, petrol pump, commercial buildings and right of way on both sides of the Ring Road over 102 kanals and 14 marlas of land.

He stated that he had paid Rs178.413 million in NOC, planning approval, commercialisation, building plan fees and other dues, and had invested over Rs750 million in emergency services, a petrol pump, mosque, restaurant, rest area, plantation and other facilities.

The project had also been approved by the District Planning and Design Committee, while commercial valuation was carried out by the District Price Assessment Committee.

The court observed that when the petitioner was threatened with cancellation of the NOC, withdrawal of approvals and stoppage of construction, he approached the court. During proceedings, however, the RDA neither submitted its report nor para-wise comments and repeatedly sought more time without reasonable justification.

Justice Hassan held that a government institution is expected to assist the court rather than delay proceedings.

The court further ruled that threatening to cancel the NOC or halt development work after approvals had been granted by all relevant forums was contrary to Article 10 of the Constitution.

The court ordered that the NOC for the service area on both sides of the Ring Road should neither be cancelled nor withdrawn and restrained the authorities from interfering with construction or demolishing any structures.

The NOC for the service area and right of way was issued on January 28, 2026.

Following the controversy, the Punjab government removed the Rawalpindi commissioner, deputy commissioner, additional commissioner (revenue), additional deputy commissioner (revenue), and former RDA director general Kunza Murtaza from their posts and directed them to report to the S&amp;GAD.

Newly appointed Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Capt (Retd) Nadeem Nasir, who has also been given the additional charge of Director General of RDA, vowed to thoroughly investigate the controversy surrounding the issuance of an NOC for land along the Rawalpindi Ring Road.

After assuming charge, he immediately visited the RDA office and chaired an emergency meeting. According to sources, after a brief introduction, he sought details of the recent controversy related to the Ring Road project. RDA officials, however, were unable to provide satisfactory answers.

Capt (Retd) Nadeem Nasir told officials that no one responsible would be spared and that a complete inquiry would determine how the NOC was issued.

The controversy emerged after an NOC was granted for 90 kanals of land by former RDA Director General Kunza Murtaza, following which the Rawalpindi commissioner, deputy commissioner and two other officers were removed from their posts.]]>
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			<title>Hazara leaders seek action on public issues</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617236/hazara-leaders-seek-action-on-public-issues</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617236/hazara-leaders-seek-action-on-public-issues#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 26 22:23:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ZUBAIR AYUB]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617236</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Committee highlights delayed development projects, questions AMC governance]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Hazara Action Committee (HAC) has convened an All-Parties Conference (APC) on July 24 to discuss a range of issues affecting the Hazara region, including delays to the provincial government&#39;s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP), alleged irregularities at Ayub Medical Complex (AMC), the quality of work on Thandiani Road, recruitment in the Hazara Electric Supply Company (Hazeco), and prolonged electricity load-shedding.

Addressing a press conference at a local hall on Wednesday, HAC Patron-in-Chief Amjad Khan, Chairman Naseer Khan Jadoon and spokesperson Advocate Muhammad Ishaq Zakria expressed concern over what they described as the provincial and federal authorities&#39; failure to address longstanding public grievances.

The committee announced that invitations were being extended to elected representatives, political leaders and office-bearers of all political and regional parties to participate in the conference. The organisers said that if the APC failed to produce a viable course of action, the committee would formulate its own strategy to pursue the issues.

Presenting the committee&#39;s assessment of regional challenges, Advocate Zakria alleged that the public was being deprived of the full benefits of Ayub Medical Complex despite the hospital employing around 4,000 staff and possessing equipment worth billions of rupees. He further claimed that the administration was spending substantial amounts on what he described as cosmetic initiatives while neglecting pressing operational issues.

He also criticised the composition of the hospital&#39;s Board of Governors, alleging that it did not include a single representative from the Hazara region, which, he argued, had contributed to the failure to resolve local concerns.

Commenting on the reconstruction of Thandiani Road, he alleged that outdated construction practices had resulted in poor-quality work despite the project&#39;s estimated cost increasing from Rs3 billion to Rs9 billion.

He further claimed that the solid waste management project under the KP-CIP, which was launched in 2021 and scheduled for completion in 2026, had yet to commence.

According to the committee, delays in implementing the project have resulted in penalty charges being imposed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the associated loan, with the financial burden ultimately expected to fall on the public.

The committee also questioned the transparency of a drinking water supply scheme from Jandar Bari, raising concerns over the project&#39;s specifications and implementation.

Chairman Naseer Khan Jadoon called for the public release of the recruitment agreement for Hazeco, alleging that qualified local youth were being overlooked for employment opportunities. He claimed that senior officials from Punjab had been appointed to key positions after receiving additional promotions, despite the availability of suitably qualified professionals from the Hazara region.

He also urged the government to establish a tertiary-level hospital in Battagram, address electricity shortages in Kohistan and upgrade the trauma centre in Haripur with modern medical facilities. He appealed to the region&#39;s political leadership to focus on these public welfare issues alongside infrastructure development.

Jadoon also demanded a reduction in electricity load-shedding in Abbottabad and Havelian.]]>
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			<title>LHC stays Ring Road service road project</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617427/lhc-stays-ring-road-service-road-project</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617427/lhc-stays-ring-road-service-road-project#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 26 22:45:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617427</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Appeals challenge the earlier single-bench ruling in favour of petitioner Mazhar Rahim]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court has suspended a single bench order that had allowed commercial construction along the service road of the Rawalpindi Ring Road and admitted intra-court appeals filed by the Punjab government, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and the Ring Road project administration.

A division bench comprising Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Sardar Akbar issued notices to the commissioner, the district petrol pump committee and the petitioner, directing them to submit replies by July 16.

The appeals challenge the earlier single bench ruling in favour of petitioner Mazhar Rahim, who had obtained approval from the Ring Road administration to develop 102 kanals and 14 marlas of land for a petrol pump, a mosque, a green area and service roads on both sides of the Ring Road.

According to the case, the RDA commissioner had initially granted the required no-objection certificate (NOC), after which the petitioner paid Rs178.413 million in fees.]]>
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			<title>2 of a family die, 8 injured in accident</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617227/2-of-a-family-die-8-injured-in-accident</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617227/2-of-a-family-die-8-injured-in-accident#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 26 21:40:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617227</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Car hits loader rickshaw carrying 12 passengers]]>
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				<![CDATA[A three-year-old boy and a man were killed, while eight other people were severely injured when a speeding car rammed into a loader rickshaw transporting a family at Gattwala Underpass on Canal Road on Wednesday.

A Rescue 1122 spokesperson said teams rushed to the spot after receiving an emergency call and shifted the critically injured to a hospital in addition to moving the bodies to a mortuary after completing legal formalities.

He said preliminary investigations had indicated that the speeding car had hit the loader rickshaw travelling from Sahianwala to Faisalabad with 12 members of a family on board.

The impact left two passengers dead on the spot and injured eight others.

The spokesperson said 65-year-old Sadiq Ali and three-year-old Ayan, son of Boota, were killed in the accident.

Rescue 1122 handed over the bodies to Madina Town police and shifted them to the mortuary of Allied Hospital-I. The injured were provided first aid by rescue personnel and eight critically injured persons were shifted to the hospital. Iftikharul Hassan, 43, Shehzad Ahmed Bilal, 22, Maqsoodan Bibi, 38, Ishrat, 35, three-year-old Abdul Hadi, one-year-old Umm-e-Farwah, five-year-old Usman Ali and Sugra, 35, were admitted to the hospital. Two injured children, six-year-old Usman and two-year-old Anaya, were treated at the spot for minor injuries.

Another traffic accident left a man dead and three others injured at Khanoana Bypass Chowk on Satiana Road.

According to Rescue 1122, a trailer was parked at roadside and its helper was changing a punctured tyre when another speeding trailer collided with the vehicle. Consequently, 40-year-old helper Allah Ditta died on the spot, while Riaz, 45, Umar, 25, and Adeel, 40, were injured. The body was shifted to a mortuary and the injured to the district headquarters hospital.

Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director Saqib Aziz said that strict legal action was being taken against those involved in stealing, buying and selling manhole covers. He said citizens could inform a WASA helpline about a missing manhole at any place round the clock, which would be covered within short time.]]>
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			<title>Decision to revive Bahawalpur Airport hailed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617228/decision-to-revive-bahawalpur-airport-hailed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617228/decision-to-revive-bahawalpur-airport-hailed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 26 21:40:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617228</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Resumption of flights at the airport was a long-standing demand of the people of South Punjab]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Member of the Punjab Assembly Sadia Bilal has expressed gratitude to former premier Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for issuing directives to restore operations at Bahawalpur Airport. She stated that the decision had been taken because of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&#39;s special interest.

Resumption of flights at the airport was a long-standing demand of the people of South Punjab, particularly Bahawalpur. She added that the restoration of airport operations would not only improve air travel facilities but also promote trade and tourism.]]>
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			<title>Court extends remand in rape case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617225/court-extends-remand-in-rape-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617225/court-extends-remand-in-rape-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 26 21:40:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617225</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police produced the four suspects with their faces covered and requested further five-day physical remand]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A judicial magistrate on Wednesday extended the physical remand of four suspects by five days in a case of rape and abduction of two foreign women, directing the police to produce them again on July 13.

Judicial Magistrate Azhar Mahmood issued the reserved order after hearing arguments at the Cantt Courts. The case was registered at Defence-C police station.

Police produced the four suspects with their faces covered and requested further five-day physical remand.

Prosecutor Mian Sajid told the court that DNA samples and fingerprints of the suspects had been obtained but the police needed more time to recover a vehicle, a laptop, cash and a weapon linked to the case.

Counsel for suspects Sikandar and Sajid opposed the remand. He argued that his clients were not named in the FIR, nor identified by complainants in statements given under Section 164 of CrPC. The defence counsel contended that the suspects had been implicated due to media attention and had no prior criminal record.]]>
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			<title>World Bank approves $70m for Punjab digital connectivity programme</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615921/world-bank-approves-70m-for-punjab-digital-connectivity-programme</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615921/world-bank-approves-70m-for-punjab-digital-connectivity-programme#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 11:45:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Programme will also support investment in government computing infrastructure to strengthen institutional capacity]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The World Bank&#39;s Board of Executive Directors has approved $70 million in financing for the Connected Punjab Programme (CPP) to help the province expand broadband internet access, improve digital service delivery and enhance cashless transactions, it emerged on Wednesday.

A World Bank press release issued a day&nbsp;ago&nbsp;said the programme was designed to operate alongside the country&#39;s broader national digital agenda.

The federal government is investing in national digital public infrastructure through the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), while the Connected Punjab Programme builds on those foundations to ensure national platforms, policies and connectivity investments translate into benefits for citizens and businesses across the province.

&quot;Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury, it is the infrastructure of opportunity,&quot; World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar said.

&quot;The federal government has laid out a bold vision for Pakistan&#39;s digital future, and Connected Punjab is how that vision reaches the doorsteps of millions of people across the province,&quot; she said, adding that expanding broadband access and strengthening Punjab&#39;s digital backbone would open new opportunities for citizens, particularly women and young people, while improving access to public services.

According to the press release, the programme would&nbsp;address regulatory and cost barriers that limited private sector investment in broadband infrastructure, particularly in underserved urban areas. It aimed&nbsp;to reduce average Right-of-Way permitting processing times from 90 days to 21 days, expand fixed broadband coverage from 7.8 million to 9.9 million people by June 2031, bring about 2.1 million additional people online, and facilitate at least $50 million in private capital investment in digital infrastructure.

Read: Punjab adopts digital monitoring

The programme would&nbsp;also support investment in government computing infrastructure to strengthen institutional capacity and enable provincial and local agencies to develop and deliver AI-enabled public services at scale. By June 2031, it aims to provide enhanced digitally enabled public services to 28.9 million people, while increasing the share of women using digital government services from 19% to 30%.

The press release said the programme also sought&nbsp;to reduce Punjab&#39;s reliance on cash transactions by establishing a Digital Invoice Management System and creating an interoperable payment infrastructure linking payments, invoices and government reporting. It targets 350,000 active users of cashless payment systems by June 2031.

&quot;Pakistan&#39;s newly developed Digital and AI Compact sets the national direction, and DEEP is building the digital public infrastructure backbone at the federal level,&quot; said Shahbaz Khan, senior digital specialist at the World Bank in Pakistan.

Read more: Punjab plans wider SME export financing

He said the Connected Punjab Programme complemented&nbsp;federal investments by expanding fibre connectivity through private sector facilitation, deploying locally relevant AI-enabled services and building a digital payments ecosystem that supports formalisation and inclusive growth across the province.

&quot;Together, these investments form a coherent and mutually reinforcing digital transformation agenda for Pakistan,&quot; he said.

The $70 million financing from the World Bank&#39;s International Development Association&nbsp;forms part of a broader government investment programme valued at $278 million, including $208 million in counterpart funding from the Punjab government.]]>
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			<title>WB mission reviews Tarbela project</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617238/wb-mission-reviews-tarbela-project</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617238/wb-mission-reviews-tarbela-project#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 26 22:23:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Yawar Hayat]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617238</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[During the visit, the delegation inspected various project sites]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A World Bank mission visited the Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project to review progress on environmental, social and occupational health and safety (OHS) measures being implemented under the scheme.

Sources said the WB delegation comprised Lead Social Development Specialist Dr Chudi Okafor, Lead Environmental Specialist Pablo Cardinale, Senior Social Development Specialist Imranul Haq and Senior Environmental Specialist Sana Ahmed.

During the visit, the delegation inspected various project sites and reviewed the implementation of environmental, social and occupational health and safety standards as part of the project&#39;s overall development framework.

General Manager and Project Director of the Tarbela Fifth Extension Project Umair Mannan, together with officials from the Environmental and Social Management Unit (ESMU-T5), briefed the delegation on the project&#39;s overall progress, with particular emphasis on environmental management, social safeguards and regulatory compliance.]]>
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			<title>Students complete police internship</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613972/students-complete-police-internship</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613972/students-complete-police-internship#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 26 21:24:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2613972</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Concluding ceremony of the 29th batch of the Volunteers in Police Internship Programme was held at Qila Gujjar Singh]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[As many as 150 students from various educational institutions completed a two-week internship programme organised by Lahore police.

The concluding ceremony of the 29th batch of the Volunteers in Police Internship Programme was held at Qila Gujjar Singh. DIG Operations Faisal Kamran emphasised on the occasion that public cooperation was essential for maintaining peace and preventing crimes. He said such programmes contribute positively to community-police relations.]]>
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			<title>Father, two sons among five killed in traffic tragedies</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613976/father-two-sons-among-five-killed-in-traffic-tragedies</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613976/father-two-sons-among-five-killed-in-traffic-tragedies#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 26 21:24:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2613976</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police said impact threw victims onto road, where they were run over by the tractor-trolley and died on the spot]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Five people, including a father, his two sons and a student, were killed while another person sustained injuries in three separate road accidents in Faisalabad, police said on Thursday.

In the first incident, 26-year-old Nadeem Rehmatullah, a resident of Yasir Town, was returning home from General Hospital Samanabad with his seven-year-old son Ahmed and two-year-old son Rehmat when a speeding tractor-trolley allegedly hit their motorcycle on the Khanewana Bypass Road near Roshanwali Jhal Bypass.

Police said the impact threw the victims onto the road, where they were run over by the tractor-trolley and died on the spot.

Police officials reached the scene, shifted the bodies to a hospital for legal formalities and launched a search for the driver, who fled after the accident.

In another incident in the limits of Madina Town police station, an 18-year-old O-Level student, Abu Bakar, lost his life after being struck by a car in Abdullah Garden on Canal Road.]]>
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			<title>Notices issued in bribery petition</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614145/notices-issued-in-bribery-petition</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614145/notices-issued-in-bribery-petition#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 26 19:31:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2614145</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued pre-admission notices to the Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and other respondents on a petition filed by contractors and companies alleging that three officials of the ministry demanded bribes in exchange for the release of outstanding payments amounting to millions of rupees.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the written order following the preliminary hearing of the case.

According to the petition, the applicants have requested the court to direct the Ministry of Planning to release their long-overdue contractual payments, alleging that the legitimate dues have been deliberately withheld.

The petition further claims that three ministry officials refused to process the payments unless illegal gratification was paid, describing their alleged conduct as unlawful.]]>
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			<title>Police crack 18-month-old murder mystery</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613977/police-crack-18-month-old-murder-mystery</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613977/police-crack-18-month-old-murder-mystery#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 26 21:24:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Shahzad Akram]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2613977</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Victim's wife held; police allege woman arranged husband's killing after divorce]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Police have claimed to have solved an 18-month-old blind murder case in Gujranwala, alleging that the victim&#39;s wife orchestrated his killing with the help of her relatives and associates after he refused to grant her a divorce.

According to police, Salman Butt was shot dead outside his home in Sharif Farm locality within the jurisdiction of Cantt Police Station on January 9, 2025. He had just returned from work and was knocking at his door when three unidentified motorcyclists opened fire, killing him on the spot before fleeing.

A murder case was registered on the complaint of the victim&#39;s father, but the perpetrators remained unidentified for nearly a year and a half.

Police said fresh investigations revealed that Salman&#39;s wife, Najma Bibi, was allegedly behind the murder. Investigators claimed that she wanted to marry her cousin, Kaleem, a resident of Muridke, and had repeatedly sought a divorce from Salman. When he refused, she allegedly conspired with Kaleem to have him killed.

According to police, Kaleem, who had been living in Malaysia, allegedly travelled to Gujranwala and, with the assistance of an associate identified as Mughis Faizan, planned and executed the murder.

After the killing, Kaleem reportedly fled back to Malaysia, while Mughis Faizan was later arrested.

Police have taken Najma Bibi into custody and said efforts are underway to secure the arrest of Kaleem through legal channels.]]>
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			<title>Wanted suspect killed in alleged police encounter</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613763/wanted-suspect-killed-in-alleged-police-encounter</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613763/wanted-suspect-killed-in-alleged-police-encounter#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 26 21:11:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2613763</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[He died at the scene, while the remaining suspects managed to escape]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A suspected inter-district suspected allegedly wanted in kidnapping-for-ransom and several other serious criminal cases was killed during an alleged police encounter near Pul Gajuji in the jurisdiction of Saddar Police Station, police said on Wednesday.

A spokesman for police said law enforcement officials received information regarding the presence of proclaimed offenders in the area and launched an operation to apprehend them.

As police teams moved in, the suspects allegedly opened indiscriminate fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire. During the encounter, the suspect identified as Asghar Jarh sustained fatal injuries, allegedly from gunfire fired by his own accomplices.

He died at the scene, while the remaining suspects managed to escape.

Police said Asghar Jarh was a wanted criminal allegedly involved in multiple cases, including kidnapping for ransom, attempted murder, highway robbery and other serious offences.

He was also wanted by police in both Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan districts.]]>
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			<title>Lumpy Skin Disease cases rise in Sargodha</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613765/lumpy-skin-disease-cases-rise-in-sargodha</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613765/lumpy-skin-disease-cases-rise-in-sargodha#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 26 21:11:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2613765</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Cases of the disease have been reported in several areas]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The reported increase in Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) among cattle and buffaloes across several areas of District Sargodha has raised concern among livestock farmers and dairy farm owners, who fear further spread of the disease if timely preventive measures are not taken.

Cases of the disease have been reported in several areas, including 92 NB, Behak Mekan, 87 NB, 91 NB, 107 NB, 104 NB, Dera Jada, Kundan Shahpur, 66 NB, 40 NB and Mathalak. Livestock owners said the number of affected animals was increasing steadily and warned that the disease could spread to more areas without immediate intervention.]]>
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			<title>Tractor-trolley collision claims life</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613762/tractor-trolley-collision-claims-life</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613762/tractor-trolley-collision-claims-life#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 26 21:11:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2613762</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Two critically injured persons were transferred to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Gujranwala]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A man was killed while three others sustained injuries after a tractor-trolley collided with two motorcycles near Mangoki Virkan area on Wednesday.

Rescue 1122 officials said the tractor-trolley hit four people travelling on two motorcycles, after which the driver fled the scene.

Rescue teams reached the spot and provided first aid to the injured before shifting them to nearby hospitals.

Two critically injured persons were transferred to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Gujranwala, while two others were shifted to Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Nowshera Virkan.]]>
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			<title>Stranded picnickers rescued in Haripur</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613774/stranded-picnickers-rescued-in-haripur</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613774/stranded-picnickers-rescued-in-haripur#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 26 21:21:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2613774</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dozens of picnickers became trapped by the strong current]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A potentially tragic incident was averted in Haripur when rescue teams safely evacuated several tourists, including women and children, who were stranded in a flash flood in the Daur River near the city bypass.

According to sources, two families had gone to the river for a picnic when a sudden surge of water swept through the area following torrential rain in the upper catchments. The pleasant weather had attracted numerous families to the river, with many sitting in the riverbed while children played in the water.

As the water level rose rapidly, dozens of picnickers became trapped by the strong current. Police reached the scene but were unable to proceed into the flooded area due to the intensity of the flow. The stranded families attempted to escape on their own, but the swift current made it impossible.]]>
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