Tag: Punjab

  • Vegetable, fruit prices soar by 150 per cent amid strikes, sit-ins

    Vegetable, fruit prices soar by 150 per cent amid strikes, sit-ins

    The prices of vegetables and fruits have increased by 150 per cent as strikes by trade organisations and sit-ins by political parties in the country take hold.

    Roads in Balochistan have been closed since the past four days to impede the Baloch Yakjehti Council from holding a large gathering in Gwadar, hindering goods-carrying vehicles. Consequentially, the prices of vegetables and fruits in Quetta has risen by 100 to 150 rupees per kilogram.

    Okra, previously retailing for Rs 150 per kilogram, has risen to Rs 400, tomatoes have increased from Rs 80 per kilogram to Rs 140, pumpkin has risen from Rs 120 to Rs 200 per kilogram, while peaches have increased from Rs 100 to Rs 250 per kilogram, and apples have also seen a price increase of Rs 100 per kilogram.

    On the other hand, despite the end of the transporters’ strike across Punjab, traders have been exploiting the situation, driving up food prices even further. Shopkeepers, however, are now reportedly selling spices at more reasonable rates.

    According to citizens, rice and pulse prices have increased by 20 per cent in the market due to the strike. They are calling on the government to reduce food prices.

  • CTD operations in different cities lead to arrest of 38 terrorists

    CTD operations in different cities lead to arrest of 38 terrorists

    The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has arrested 38 terrorists in various operations across different cities of the province this month.

    According to a CTD spokesperson, the 38 terrorists were apprehended in 449 intelligence-based operations conducted by CTD in various cities of Punjab this month.

    During this period, a trained terrorist affiliated with the banned TTP was also reportedly arrested in Lodhran and a main commander of Daesh was captured in Bahawalpur.

    Operations were also carried out in Lahore, Rahim Yar Khan, Narowal, Rawalpindi, and Multan.

    Intelligence-based operations were conducted in Jhang, Sargodha, Khanewal, Wahari, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, and Bahawalnagar resulted in the recovery of explosive materials, hand grenades, weapons, mobile phones, and cash from the terrorists.

    The spokesperson further disclosed that the arrested terrorists were planning attacks on law enforcement agencies and important installations.

  • Lahore leads in run-away children numbers

    Lahore leads in run-away children numbers

    A police report reveals that Lahore ranks first in the number of children who run away from home due to disputes with their parents. Most boys and girls head to the railway station to leave for other cities.

    According to the Railway Police, ninety-six children from various cities in Punjab were returned to their parents over a period of three months. Children tend to leave home when their demands for phones, laptops, and other items are not met.

    The help desk explained to Samaa news that railway stations provide an accessible route for children to travel to other cities.

  • Outrage as landlord amputates donkey’s legs for drinking water in Muzaffargarh

    Outrage as landlord amputates donkey’s legs for drinking water in Muzaffargarh

    A local landlord in Tehsil Jatoi of Muzaffargarh amputated two legs of a donkey that had entered his fields to drink water. The man has been identified as Sajjad Hussain.

    The incident occurred in the Mouza Rampur area of Jatoi Tehsil. Following a complaint by the donkey’s owner, Bashir Ahmed, the police registered a case at the Jatoi police station and promptly arrested Sajjad Hussain. The injured donkey received medical aid from the Livestock Department.

    The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for justice from local communities and animal rights activists.

  • Evidence-based, modern traffic challan system introduced in Punjab

    Evidence-based, modern traffic challan system introduced in Punjab

    A modern system of traffic challans has been introduced in Punjab, where challans will now be issued with proof.

    The announcement by the Punjab Safe City Authority states that heavy fines will be imposed for traffic rule violations, and challans will include evidence of the infractions.

    According to the announcement, Punjab has implemented artificial intelligence and a modern electronic traffic policing system similar to developed countries. The system includes the use of modern cameras to monitor every smoke-emitting vehicle.

    The statement emphasises that under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the issuance of electronic challans for traffic and environmental law violations continues through Safe City cameras in Lahore. Monitoring of vehicle emissions, including motorcycles and auto-rickshaws, is ongoing using modern cameras.

    The declaration further notes that, similar to practices in developed nations, photos and videos of vehicles emitting smoke are captured in Lahore, and these are included as evidence in electronic tickets.

    Senior Minister Punjab Maryam Aurangzeb commented on the changing culture of traffic policing under the Chief Minister’s supervision, highlighting efforts to ensure environmental protection and enforcement of traffic laws through modern technology.

    Maryam Aurangzeb added that a phased implementation of a modern electronic traffic policing system will extend to every city in Punjab. With citizen cooperation, Punjab aims to become an exemplary province with both smog-free air and modern policing capabilities.

  • Monsoon spells to be unleashed all over country

    Monsoon spells to be unleashed all over country

    The meteorological department has predicted rain in different cities today.

    Rain may occur in some parts of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Gujarat, Faisalabad, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today, as per the weather department.

    Battered with heat, Karachi is expected to receive rain this evening. Drizzling is expected in other areas of Sindh, such as Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Sanghar, Thatta, Badin, and Sjawal are also likely.

    The Meteorological Department reported that the highest rainfall was recorded yesterday (Sunday)at Old Airport, around 20 mm, while 11 mm was recorded at Sarjani Town and 9.4 mm at Jinnah Terminal. Ten mm of rain was recorded on University Road, 7 mm on Shaara Faisal, 6.5 mm on Hassan Square, 2.5 mm on PAF Base Masrur, and 0.8 mm on North Karachi.

    Rain is also likely to descend in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir today.

    The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has predicted the fourth spell of monsoon to start in Punjab from today, while south Punjab is likely to experience cloudy skies from tomorrow.

  • Special children of prison officers, officials to get scholarships

    Special children of prison officers, officials to get scholarships

    Scholarships have been approved for special children of officers and officials of the Prisons Department of Punjab.

    The initiative has been approved by Punjab Home Department, on the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz. Each child will receive a scholarship of Rs 72,000.

    The scholarship will be awarded annually by the Punjab Prisons Foundation.

    Special children will be eligible for the scholarship once a year until they reach the age of eighteen years.

    It will require a physical disability certificate and enrollment in a special education institution.

    The Prisons Department has also been instructed to submit the cases of all eligible candidates to the Prisons Foundation by August 14.

  • Mobile phone services to remain shut in some areas of Punjab

    Mobile phone services to remain shut in some areas of Punjab

    Punjab government has decided that cellphone services would remain partially suspended on the 9th and 10th of Muharram in different parts of the province.

    The spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department says cellular services would be suspended only in the surrounding areas of processions and Majalis.
    “Mobile services will be partially suspended in Gujranwala, Narowal, Toba Tek Singh, Bhakkar, Mandi Bahauddin, Wazirabad, Rajanpur, Faisalabad, Bahawalnagar, Hafizabad, Gujrat, DG Khan and Jhang.”

    However, the spokesperson clarified that cellular services will not be completely suspended in any city of the province.

    In a bid to ensure safety of the citizens, the partial suspension of mobile signals will continue from 8am till 10pm during the 9th and 10th of Muharram, he added.

    The spokesperson informed that cellular network services will be suspended at 28 locations in Rawalpindi, 15 locations in Rahim Yar Khan, 11 locations in Mianwali and Bahawalpur.

    Meanwhile, the services will remain suspended at 10 places in Layyah, seven places in Muzaffargarh and six places in Nankana Sahib.

    The cellular service would remain active in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Vehari, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara and Chiniot, the official statement asserted.

  • Punjab govt to give solar panels to households using 50-500 units

    Punjab govt to give solar panels to households using 50-500 units

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the provision of solar panels to households consuming 50 to 500 units of electricity monthly under the provincial government’s “Roshan Gharana Programme.”

    The Chief Minister presided over a meeting of the Energy Department on Monday, saying, “The Punjab government will provide solar systems to crores of consumers consuming electricity from 50 to 500 units, and 90 percent of the solar panels’ cost will be paid by the provincial government and 10 percent by consumers.”

    Furthermore, she also said that the government will not leave people alone in difficult situations. “Programme beneficiaries will pay the government-provided amount in easy instalments in five years,” she stated.

    “Through a transparent procedure, solar systems will be given to the poorest families in phase-I”, the Chief Minister clarified.

  • Rain emergency declared in Rawalpindi as heavy downpours lash Punjab

    Rain emergency declared in Rawalpindi as heavy downpours lash Punjab

    Following heavy downpours of rain in various cities of Punjab, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, and Jhelum, many areas experienced power outages.

    Rawalpindi imposed a rain emergency on the garrison city.

    Torrential rains in several Punjab cities caused water accumulation on highways and roads in Lahore and Gujranwala. Rainwater also entered the ward of Gujranwala’s Medical College Teaching Hospital.

    Power supply was disrupted due to 100 feeder trips during heavy late-night rains, resulting in power outages in many areas.

    In Rawalpindi, water levels reached five feet at Katarian in Nala Lai and four feet at Golmandi bridge, prompting the declaration of rain emergency.

    The Meteorological Department recorded over 30 mm of rain in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

    Intermittent rain continued in various cities of Azad Kashmir, including Samahni, Mirpur, Dadyal, Jatlan, and Mangla.

    The Meteorological Department forecasts intermittent rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms today in different areas of Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, Upper and Central Punjab, Northeastern Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    It warned of possible flooding in mountain streams until July 7.

    The department also warned of urban flooding in Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Peshawar, and landslides in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to heavy rains.