Punjab | Pakistan

Punjab has introduced a QR-based Panic Button system to enhance passenger safety and strengthen emergency response across the province’s public transport network.

Tremors were felt in Lahore and other districts of Punjab on Friday after a 4.9-magnitude earthquake was reported, said a statement by the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). A PDMA spokesperson said the depth of the earthquake was recorded at 18 kilometres, while the epicentre was located in the Kashmir region. “No loss of life or property due to the earthquake has been reported in Punjab,” the spokesperson said, adding that the relevant authorities were engaged in inspecting buildings. He further said that any earthquake-related damage could be reported to the PDMA helpline 1129, adding that district emergency operation centres across Punjab, along with the PDMA’s provincial control room, were operational round the clock. In late May, at least one person was killed and 11 others were injured after several houses were seriously damaged following a reported earthquake in Jhelum’s Pind Dadan Khan tehsil. On May 4, tremors were also felt in Islamabad and Rawalpindi after a 5.2-magnitude earthquake was ...

LAHORE - Punjab has expanded its agricultural mechanisation programme through a series of initiatives aimed at increasing farmers’ access to modern machinery, including subsidised tractors, combined harvesters and interest-free financing for advanced farm equipment.

The repatriation of illegally residing foreign nationals from Punjab is continuing under the federal government’s ongoing policy, with more than 35,000 individuals deported from the province so far, according to Punjab Police.

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that more than 30,000 kilometres of roads have been constructed, repaired or rehabilitated across the province under an ambitious programme aimed at modernising Punjab’s transport and road infrastructure.

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Six thousand Punjab police personnel are being deployed in Gilgit-Baltistan ahead of the June 7 election, it emerged on Sunday as the PTI reiterated its allegations of pre-poll rigging. Punjab authorities had initially approved the deployment of 5,000 personnel to GB and later gave the nod for the deployment of 1,000 more police personnel. The approval for the first 5,000 was notified in a memo by the Punjab assistant inspector general (operations), which stated: “5,000 police personnel have been placed at the disposal of Gilgit-Baltistan police for election security duty. According to the memo, the Punjab police personnel will be equipped with anti-riot gear, and each bus used for their travel to GB will be escorted by four armed police personnel. It said the motor transport department’s senior superintendent of police would make transport arrangements and select buses in good condition with fitness certificates for the purpose. The drivers deputed to transport the police personnel to ...

Punjab government has finalized budget proposals for fiscal year 2026-27 and is likely to present the provincial budget in the second week of June, according to sources in the provincial finance ministry.

• Legal fraternity says ‘facilitative measure’ has turned into ‘gatekeeping mechanism’ • Notes technical glitches make access to justice needlessly complicated LAHORE: The enforcement of mandatory biometric verification for litigants filing cases has triggered widespread concern across Punjab’s legal community, with lawyers describing the requirement as an unreasonable obstacle to access to justice. Notified in January and in force since March of this year, the move was envisioned as a facilitative, technical measure. According to a statement attributed to LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, the system would “help curb fake litigation, prevent impersonation and eliminate the use of bogus witnesses and sureties”. It was described as a significant step tow­a­rds modernising the judiciary and safeguarding the integrity of judicial proceedings, which would enhance the credibility of the judiciary and provide a secure and efficient mechanism for conducting proceedings. But after a few months of seeing it in action, la...

The Government of Punjab has officially enforced the Punjab Labour Code 2026, introducing a comprehensive legal framework aimed at strengthening workers’ rights across the province, including contract employees, gig workers and digital platform-based labour.

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Chief Investment Officer Konstantin Limitovskiy in Lahore and discussed matters of mutual interest, including expanding institutional cooperation and collaboration on development initiatives in Punjab.

Tremors were felt in several cities of Punjab on Monday, including Mandi Bahauddin, Malakwal, and Phalia, causing panic among residents.

The Punjab government has approved the establishment of a new cancer hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan as part of efforts to improve healthcare facilities in southern Punjab.

LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered imposition of a Rs50,000 fine for throwing animal waste and offal in streets, on roads, into drains and canals during Eid days. The CM directed the administrative and police officers across Punjab on Friday to remain in the field during Eidul Azha days, as the provincial government finalised extensive arrangements for security, cleanliness and public facilitation during the holidays. Chairing a video-link meeting on Eidul Azha arrangements here, the chief minister issued guidelines to all deputy commissioners and district police officers, warning that negligence or poor implementation of orders would not be tolerated. She also directed strict enforcement of the restriction on sale of sacrificial animals at non-designated places instead of cattle markets and action against illegal livestock trading in unauthorised areas. The meeting was informed that digital monitoring and vigilance operations would be carried out at cattle markets, while strict security arrangem...

Ahead of Eidul Azha, the Punjab government has prohibited several activities “injurious to public health” and that also disturb public peace under Section 144 from May 27 to June 2. A notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, dated May 19, said that during Eidul Azha, people sit by the roadside and roast the heads and feet of sacrificial animals, which caused “unhealthy smoke” and an unpleasant smell. It said that people also throw the entrails of sacrificial animals by the roadside and or in drains, which resulted in unsanitary conditions and the blockage of the sewerage system. It stated that citizens also swim and bathe in canals, ponds, lakes, river banks, and distributaries during Eidul Azha holidays, which may endanger their lives. It further stated that cattle sellers illegally set up points for the sale of sacrificial animals within populated areas, which hindered traffic and contributed to the spread of diseases. The Home Department said that the aforementioned activities “are not only injur...

BAKU: Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif addressing World Urban Forum.

LAHORE: Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting dust-thunderstorms and rain in several districts of the province from Monday night to Saturday. According to a PDMA advisory issued on Monday, a westerly weather system is expected to affect the upper parts of the country from the night of May 18 and is likely to persist till May 23. The authority predicted rain, windstorms and isolated hailstorms in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Narowal with occasional gaps during the forecast period. PDMA Director General Umar Javed said that alerts had been issued to all commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to ensure a timely response to any untoward situation. The advisory warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including electricity poles, billboa...

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Punjab was moving forward by overcoming challenges through comprehensive and integrated development measures.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the Punjab government’s pavilion for the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” housing project at Baku has emerged as a major attraction for international visitors and foreign delegates.

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is set to depart for Baku on Saturday (today) for a three-day official visit to participate in the World Urban Forum, where she will present Punjab’s flagship affordable housing initiative on an international platform.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has said that investigations into alleged drug dealer “Pinky” have revealed links extending beyond Sindh, claiming she was also operating in Punjab and Islamabad, while investigators have reportedly identified names of her alleged clients.