The association said the AAC posts were abolished decades ago and their revival was “unnecessary and unjustified”, especially after the establishment of the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) force.

The association’s executive committee meeting chaired by president Qamar Zaman Qaisrani decided that an association delegation would meet the Punjab services secretary and the additional chief secretary to explain its concerns and demands on Monday (today). “If PMSA concerns are not addressed, it will launch the first phase of protest by wearing black armbands across the province from Tuesday (tomorrow).”

The association said that creating new posts would place an additional burden on the national exchequer and be seen as a direct attempt to undermine the PMS service structure.

PMS officers announce protest, say decision ‘undermines’ their service structure

Calculating the cost of an AAC and all 101 AACs, the association claims that one such officer would cost the government some Rs46.825 million and all 101 AACs some Rs4.729 billion at once, followed by monthly salaries and privileges. Besides salaries, the cost includes an official vehicle, supporting staff salaries, monthly budgets as well as an office building.

The association also expressed serious concerns over alleged discrimination in postings and transfers, delays in promotion boards, and the appointment of junior officers to senior positions.

Former administrative secretary Yawar Mehdi commented that the objective of creating AAC posts to improve public service delivery was commendable, provided these officers were empowered to deliver efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric services. However, he added that strengthening field administration should not come at the cost of weakening the civil secretariat or limiting the career progression of PMS officers.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting, where official data pertaining to repeated crashes and unsafe driving history of commercial and public service vehicles was presented.

Chaired by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi, the meeting reviewed the growing trend of commercial vehicle-related crashes and formulated a strategy to address the underlying causes. SP Headquarters Fakhar Bashir Raja had been assigned a special mandate to conduct an in-depth analysis of crash patterns and recommend evidence-based interventions to prevent future fatalities.

A traffic police spokesperson said that the meeting was informed that Lahore had approximately 8.2 million registered vehicles, including 348,000 commercial vehicles, representing nearly five percent of the city’s total registered vehicle fleet. Despite their relatively small share, he said, commercial vehicles were involved in 48 percent of fatal road crashes, underscoring the need for immediate regulatory and enforcement measures.

Traffic police data shows commercial drivers involved in 48pc of all fatal road crashes

The meeting passed directions to the relevant police officers for the verification of the criminal background, driving history, licence status, and overall eligibility of every commercial and public service vehicle driver.

“Drivers with criminal records, a history of repeated traffic crashes, habitual traffic violations, or conduct posing a threat to public safety will not be granted permits or licences to operate commercial vehicles,” said CTO Sherazi. He said that transport unions and commercial vehicle owners had been instructed to ensure that no driver was employed or entrusted with a vehicle without proper background verification, including a valid character certificate and complete record clearance.

The move would help bring down serious and fatal traffic crashes across the provincial capital, the CTO said and warned that vehicle owners and transport operators who knowingly employ or facilitate high-risk drivers would also be held accountable under the law.

“Accountability will extend beyond negligent drivers to those who enable them. Owners who disregard safety standards by allowing unfit drivers to operate commercial vehicles will face strict legal action,” he said.

The meeting also resolved to undertake verification of driving licences of all commercial and public service vehicle drivers and granted approval for strict enforcement action against individuals found operating vehicles with fake, forged, expired, suspended, or otherwise invalid driving licences.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

Addressing a press conference here, Hafiz Ashrafi stated that attacks on innocent civilians, suicide bombings and targeted strikes on security forces were completely unacceptable.

Warning that hostile elements are attempting to spread terrorism in Pakistan, he called for immediate national unity and appealed for peace within the constitutional framework across troubled regions, including Kashmir, Bajaur and Balochistan.

Expressing deep concern over the rising incidents of sexual violence in the country, the PUC chief appealed to the president, the prime minister, and the chief justice of Pakistan to enact swift legislation, ensuring that rape cases are tried and disposed of within three months.

On governance, Ashrafi warned that violations of the Constitution erode state institutions, emphasising that the rule of law must be upheld unconditionally.

He remarked that creating new provinces alone would not solve systemic issues unless backed by effective governance in both small and large provinces.

Urging the political leadership to jointly address economic distress, he called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to activate price control committees, alongside launching infrastructure projects to curb spiraling inflation.

Touching upon regional politics, PUC head cited the ongoing PPP-PML-N coalition in Gilgit-Baltistan, expressing hope that both parties would similarly form a joint government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He also announced that the PUC will host nationwide events throughout August under the banner of ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ to promote peace and harmony.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

Police spokesperson Attaullah told reporters that DPO Akhlakullah Tarar immediately reached the locality and inquired about the incident from locals and the Bhussi Police officials. He was informed that they had allegedly purchased liquor from one Ghulam Haider Kathia. The suspect had been arrested by the police on the directions of the DPO. The victims had been identified as Babar Fazil, Shakeel Shah alias Shele Shah, Mazhar Hussain and Salman alias Salu.

The spokesperson added that the condition of another man named Sultan Rahi, who also consumed the liquor, was critical and he was being treated at the Pirmahal THQ Hospital.

Meanwhile, Faisalabad RPO Sohail Akhtar Sukhera has also taken notice of the incident and directed the Toba DPO to submit a report.

In a press release, the RPO said that elements involved in the heinous business of selling poisonous liquor did not deserve any concession. He announced that action was being taken against those who manufacture and sell poisonous liquor under a zero tolerance policy. He added that all those responsible for the incident would be brought to justice and indiscriminate action would be ensured against elements who played with the lives of citizens.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

Addressing a press conference, Kissan Board President Sardar Zafar Hussain invited all farmers’ bodies to participate in the upcoming agitation. Board Vice President Chaudhry Ijaz Advocate, Central Punjab President Mian Rasheed Minhala, and Chief Organizer Chaudhry Akhtar Farooq Mayo were also present.

Hussain expressed deep concern over the mounting unrest among farmers across the country, attributing it to the exorbitant increase in fuel prices which, he said, has multiplied operational costs of agricultural machinery.

Holding Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz responsible for the ongoing wheat crisis, the Kissan Board president stated that importing wheat was a matter of shame for an agricultural country like Pakistan, squarely blaming the incumbent rulers for the debacle.

Drawing a parallel with neighbouring India, he lamented that while farmers in Indian Punjab were prospering, growers in Pakistani Punjab and other provinces were facing severe financial hardship.

“The chief minister of Indian Punjab facilitated growers by purchasing a power plant to provide 600 free electricity units per farmer. Conversely, our Punjab chief minister has rubbed salt into the wounds of the masses by purchasing an Rs11 billion aircraft,” he alleged.

He recalled that the board had repeatedly urged the government to announce a support price for wheat. He criticized the government for initially setting the price at Rs3,900 per maund and subsequently withdrawing the decision. This anti-farmer policy, he claimed, caused a damage.

Hussain urged the government to fix the support price for every crop prior to the sowing season.

He claimed that the “wheat mafia” was purchasing wheat from growers at a meager Rs3,500 per maund and selling it at Rs5,000, while the “flour mafia” was selling flour at Rs6,000 per maund, allegedly with the tacit backing of the government and relevant institutions.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

According to sources, the driver of the bus lost control while traveling on the M2 Motorway near the Bhera interchange and collided with a van parked on the roadside for a tyre change. As a result, the driver lost control and the bus overturned.

As many as 13 people, including Raees, Mukhtar, Muhammad Sami, Faizan Ijaz, Ali Waris, Qamar Zulfiqar, Mahmood Hassan, Tasavur Ijaz, Nadeem, Zaheer Ahmed, Usman Ali, Shoaib and Muhammad Iqbal, were injured.

Rescue 1122 provided immediate medical assistance and shifted five seriously injured persons to the hospital and the police were investigating.

BEAUTIFICATION: The Sargodha deputy commissioner has expressed concern over the poor planning and use of substandard material used in the beautification of two bazaars of the city where pavements between the roads caved in and rainwater entered the basement of shops after the recent rains.

When this correspondent contacted the DC office, it was disclosed that no leniency whatsoever would be shown in any malpractice and the DC was determined to ensure completion of the beautification project with high-quality materials and any deficiency found in the planning would be redressed.

Meanwhile, Sargodha Division Commissioner Hafiz Shaukat Ali, along with additional deputy commissioner , Wasa managing director, Highway executive engineer, municipal corporation chief officer and others visited various areas of the city.

On this occasion, the ongoing beautification projects in the city, road improvement, sanitation, drainage system and other civic amenities were reviewed.

The commissioner inspected the ongoing development works at various places in the city, including the Sillanwali disposal station, Eidgah disposal station, City Road beautification, Shaheen Chowk and directed the concerned officers to complete all the projects with high-quality material within the stipulated time.

He directed Wasa officials to ensure prompt drainage of rainwater in low-lying areas during the monsoon, keep all disposal stations functional at full capacity and take immediate action on any complaint. He directed the MC chief officer to ensure cleanliness, remove encroachments and take measures for beautification along the roads in the city.

ROOF COLLAPSE: Two siblings, 18-year-old Samin Ashraf and 20-year-old Farwa Ashraf were seriously injured after the roof of a room collapsed in Sargodha city.

According to details, the roof of a room built with TR girders in a house in Moradabad Colony Gali 12 of Sargodha city suddenly collapsed at midnight after heavy rain.

The two siblings were seriously injured after being buried under the debris. They were rescued and shifted to a private hospital.

FLOODS: As a result of heavy rain and increase in the water level in Chenab and Jhelum rivers, the banks along both rivers have been flooded and more damage is expected to crops and residents of these areas.

According to Rescue 1122, as many as three dozen people had been safely evacuated from the affected areas. Transport facilities had been provided to take the evacuees to safer areas.

Rescue 1122 said that three flood response mock exercises have already been conducted to further improve inter-agency coordination and preparedness for any potential flood emergency.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

The family of the child had claimed that on June 30 five-year-old Mohsin, who had been brought to the THQ Hospital for a routine check-up, died as a result of staff negligence after an untrained private individual administered an anti-vomiting injection to the child.

According to the three-member inquiry committee constituted by the Health CEO, a copy of the findings is available with Dawn, Dispenser Abdul Razzaq and Midwife Shazia Anwar had been held responsible for the incident.

The inquiry committee found the duo guilty of misconduct, inefficiency and poor performance, stating that when the patient arrived at the hospital at 9:40am on June 30, the junior technician/dispenser failed to manage the emergency patient, resulting in his death.

It further said that Medical Officer Dr Rizwanullah gave Midwife Shazia three Gravinate injections to administer to Mohsin and his sister. However, when she arrived at the emergency ward, she handed one shot to a private trainee and instructed him to administer it to the patient. The trainee administered the injection directly to the youngster without diluting the infusion, which caused the death.

Based on the committee’s findings, Health CEO Dr Shaukat Ali ordered action against both officials under the Peeda Act and suspended them for 90 days and a formal departmental probe had been launched against them.

Meanwhile, the Health secretary has promptly removed Dr Hasnain Shah from his position as the MS of the THQ Hospital and made him a medical officer at Pind Dadan Khan (Jhelum).

According to health sources, this transfer occurred as a result of the incident.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

According to the CTD spokesperson, the teams conducted 419 intelligence-based operations in separate districts of the province and interrogated 422 suspects. Out of them, 54 suspects belonged to banned organisations, including Daesh, Al Qaeda subcontinent, Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, Sipah-i-Sahaba, and Fitna-al-Khawarij.

The spokesperson said five of these militants belonged to RAW. Two of them identified as Waris Khan and Danish Ali were arrested from Lahore and three others – Roz Ali Khan, Wallayat Shah and Muhammad Aziz – from Okara.

While other suspects were arrested in IBOs conducted in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Pakpattan, and Bahawalpur.

The CTD also claimed to have recovered 7,900 gram explosive material, 12 IEDs, 50 detonators, 98-foot safety fuse, two pistols, three rifles, huge quantity of bullets, 120 pamphlets, 72 banned books, 31 banned magazines, 112 stickers, two flags, a receipt book, eight mobile phones and Rs339,880 in cash.

The spokesperson said during the last eight weeks, local police and intelligence agencies jointly conducted 13,572 combing operations and inspected 494,642 persons. And 1,103 of them were arrested and 1,070 cases were registered under different charges.

ENCOUNTER: The Lodhran Crime Control Department (CCD) claimed on Saturday to have killed a proclaimed offender involved in kidnapping for ransom and contract killing in an alleged encounter.

CCD spokesperson said a team was present in Lodhran to arrest proclaimed offenders when the suspected robbers opened fire at them. The CCD team, wearing bullet proof jackets and helmets, remained safe and retaliated.

Resultantly, one of the suspects suffered gunshot wounds and fell on the ground while his accomplices fled the scene. The suspect was found dead by the team after some time, CCD claimed.

The deceased was identified as Naeem Klasin of Multan and was a proclaimed offender in 28 cases, including murder, robbery with murder, ransom and contract killing.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

The chief minister accorded a warm welcome to the visiting delegation, which comprised prominent business leaders representing the medical, minerals, manufacturing, information technology, industry, hospitality, energy, electronics and marketing sectors.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to further promote mutual investment, strengthen economic ties and expand sustainable trade partnerships between the Punjab government and the US business community.

The delegation invited Maryam Nawaz to visit the United States, which she accepted.

The delegation was given a detailed briefing on the PIVOT programme. The chief minister also apprised the visiting business leaders of the reforms introduced by the Punjab government to facilitate ease of doing business and improve the investment climate.

The two sides explored various economic opportunities aimed at promoting investment and enhancing bilateral partnership between Punjab and the United States.

Ms Nawaz also expressed keen interest in acquiring home dialysis machines to further improve healthcare services in the province.

The delegation expressed interest in cooperation in shrimp farming. Secretary SIFC Jameel Qureshi briefed the delegation on matters relating to investment and collaboration.

The delegation observed that Pakistan possessed one of the world’s youngest populations with enormous potential that should be fully utilised.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

According to the family, his funeral prayers will be offered at 6pm on Saturday at Bahawalpur Stadium.

He was father of Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar.

Channar, who had served as a provincial minister and remained an influential PML-N leader in south Punjab for decades, was elected to the National Assembly from NA-168 Bahawalpur.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound grief over Channar’s demise and paid tribute to his political, social and public services.

The prime minister described him as a sincere public representative, a committed and ideological PML-N worker, and a loyal companion of former premier Nawaz Sharif.

“I had the privilege of knowing him personally and had the opportunity to work with him on several occasions when he served in my Punjab cabinet,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that Iqbal’s loyalty, dedication, public service and commitment would always be remembered.

PML-N President and ex-PM Nawaz Sharif said he was “deeply grieved” on Channar’s death.

“He was a sincere representative who always made public service his motto,” he wrote on X, praying for his elevated ranks.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also expressed deep sorrow over the lawmaker’s death and extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

She said Channar’s political and public services would be remembered for a long time.

NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed profound grief and sorrow over Channar’s demise, saying his death “deprived parliament of a sincere, dignified and people-oriented member”.

Sadiq said Channar’s parliamentary, political and public service would always be remembered. He added that the deceased’s “contributions to national politics and the promotion of democratic traditions were invaluable”.

The NA speaker also extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the deceased’s son.

“In this hour of grief, I stand in solidarity with the bereaved family,” he added.

PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that he was saddened to learn about Channar’s demise, terming it a great loss for the party and national politics.

However, a party spokesperson says that all the detainees have been released on the condition that there will be no demonstration on Saturday (today).

Activist Farooq Tariq was also among those arrested during the peaceful solidarity protest with the people of Kashmir. He was dragged, harassed and forcibly taken away in a police van. Along with him, Punjab Police arrested dozens of other protesters, including Muzammil Kakar and Hussain Jameel Faridi.

The HKP expressed its deep concerns on the arrests as there was no information about the whereabouts of Farooq Tariq or other detainees. The party demanded their immediate release and called on the authorities to disclose their whereabouts without delay.

The Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC) also strongly condemned the arbitrary arrest of its Federal Committee member, Farooq Tariq.

Police dispersed the peaceful gathering, dragging and harassing protesters before forcing them into police vans. Among those arrested are members of Haqooq-e-Khalq Party, Khalq Youth Front and Progressive Students Collective, including Haris Azad, Zahid Ali, Ali Raza, Ali Abdullah, Rai Ali Aftab, Sher Ali, and others.

The PKRC said, “The incommunicado detention is unacceptable and it violates the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and political dissent”.

Later, Farooq Tariq shared a status on his social media accounts, saying, “We are rescheduling today’s protest. We will organise it again. Please do not go to Shimla Hill (press club) now. Next time we will come with permission”.

The protest was organised in solidarity with the Azad Jammu & Kashmir’s Joint Awami Action Committee demanding “democratic rights, economic justice, and accountable governance”.

The committee in Kashmir has been protesting in Rawalakot and other cities of Azad Kashmir since early June. It claims that 30 protesters had been killed by the crackdown by armed forces since the polling day on July 27. The committee’s main demand includes abolition of 12 assembly seats for Kashmiris living in various cities of Pakistan.

The PKRC has also demanded an end to the criminalisation of peaceful political activity and solidarity protests, respect for the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

US national Aleena (40) and her three children -- Rehan (16), Aresha (11), and Arsal (6) -- were found dead from suspected poisoning in their rented house in Valencia Town under mysterious circumstances on July 17.

Kahna police had initially taken Aleena’s husband Nasir into custody on suspicion, but he later turned out to be innocent during investigation. The polygraph test of Nasir also helped police to declare that he was not directly involved in the killing of his children and wife.

Quoting the final investigation report, the DIG told media persons on Friday that Aleena had mixed potassium cyanide into the ice cream, she had purchased from a local market, and served it to her three children on July 17. She later also took the poisoned ice cream herself to end her life as well. She had also offered the poisonous ice cream to her husband, but he refused to have it, he added.

To conclude the findings, the police obtained digital evidence, forensic reports, statements of Aleena’s husband and other family members.The DIG said Nasir, along with his wife and three children, had arrived in Lahore recently from the United States.

To a question, the officer said that according to the investigations finalised by the police, the woman was suffering from mental health issues.

“She had got the idea of committing the heinous crime from social media,” Raza said.

The officer further revealed that the woman had ordered the poisonous chemical online and gave the address of a friend’s residence for delivery of the parcel.

The police also tracked down and arrested a delivery boy who delivered the parcel and the man running an online chemical business, who provided the poisonous material to Aleena against Rs138,540.

The payment transfer record was also made a part of the investigation report, the DIG said, adding that the arrested suspects have been nominated in the case.

He said a strong case was being prepared to ensure exemplary punishment to the suspects by the court.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

According to APP, the raid was conducted as part of a crackdown on illegal trade and poaching of wild bird and animals across the province, ordered by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.In this regard, a wildlife department team raided a private breeding farm in Soye Asal area of Lahore and recovered a young leopard cub kept illegally there.

The rescued leopard cub has been shifted to Safari Zoo, Raiwind Road, for special care and an FIR has been registered against a suspect at Kahna police station.

In other operations, Sialkot Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger arrested a man allegedly involved in illegal trade of singing parrots and recovered five birds from his possession.

Six nabbed for wild birds trade, illegal netting

The parrots were later released in their natural environment.

Similarly, two illegal quail knitting gears have been recovered from the Saifan area in Vehari and legal action has been initiated.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department claimed to have nabbed six persons for illegal trade of birds and other offences in different operations across the province.

Officials say that under the supervision of Lahore Region Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Sakhi Muhammad Joiya, Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Muhammad Waseem, along with a team, conducted an operation in Lahore city and arrested two individuals for illegal trade of wild birds, including sparrows and mynas.

As per officials, the raiding team also recovered dozens of caged wild birds from the suspects’ possession.

The accused were sent on transit remand to Anarkali police station, while the birds were released back into their natural habitat.

In Gujranwala, Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Ms Maryam Faiz, conducted a raid on a premises after obtaining a search warrant and recovered six ring-necked parrots, arresting a suspects.

A case has been registered against the suspect.

Similarly, in three separate operations, Dera Ghazi Khan Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Kashif Hameed arrested three individuals for illegal netting of wild birds, including quail, and unlawful possession of partridges.

A total fine of Rs239,000 was imposed on the three suspects.

Meanwhile, under the supervision of Sahiwal Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Munawar Hussain Najmi, a team confiscated illegal quail netting gear and initiated legal proceedings against a suspect.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

LAHORE: As the River Indus continues to flow at a medium flood level at Guddu and Sukkur barrages, water levels in the country’s major reservoirs — Tarbela and Mangla dams — have risen significantly over the past 15 days due to torrential rains in their catchment areas.

According to reports issued by the Water and Power Deve­lopment Authority (Wapda), the water level at Tarbela dam increased from 1,504.31 feet on July 16 to 1,537 feet on July 31, a rise of 32.69 feet. The reservoir is now just 13 feet below its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet.

Also, the water level at Chashma Lake, which has a total capacity of 649 feet, rose to 648.50 feet on Friday from 646.80 feet on July 16.

Similarly, the water level at Mangla dam rose from 1,173.20 to 1,195.55 feet over the same period, while its maximum conservation level is 1,242 feet.

Officials attributed the rise in reservoir levels mainly to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas, although snowmelt also contributes significantly to filling Tarbela dam.

According to the Flood Fore­casting Division (FFD) of the Met Office, the River Indus at Sukkur would remain at a medium flood level, while flows at Guddu were expected to rec­ede from medium to low flood level over the next 24 hours.

It said the Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej rivers were currently flowing below low flood level.

The FFD forecast that the Chenab at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad would fluctuate between low and medium flood levels and could reach a high flood level at Marala during the forecast period.

“Medium to high flows are expected in the nullahs of the Jhelum, Chenab (Dora, Dotta, Dowara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik and Palkhu) and Ravi (Bein, Basantar, Deg and Sakki).

Urban flooding

“Flash flooding is expected in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, streams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan, while urban flooding is expected in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargo­dha, Mandi Bahauddin, Sial­kot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Sahiwal and Faisal­abad,” the FFD report said.

It also warned of urban flooding, waterlogging and prolonged ponding in Badin, Hyd­erabad, Jamshoro, Khair­pur, Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazir­abad, Suja­wal, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tharparkar, Thatta and Umerkot.

According to Wapda’s daily water report issued on July 31, inflows and outflows at Tarbela on the Indus were 241,000 and 184,300 cusecs, respectively. At Mangla on the Jhelum, inflows were 45,100 cusecs and outflows 7,400 cusecs, while at Marala on the Chenab, inflows were 80,600 cusecs and outflows 66,500 cusecs.

Separately, the Provincial Disaster Management Auth­ority (PDMA) Punjab issued a fact sheet on the monsoon and flood situation in Punjab, covering rainfall, river and dam conditions, damage, relief measures and precautionary advice for the public.

Rainfall across Punjab

According to the PDMA spokesperson, rainfall during the past 24 hours included 75mm in Attock, 67mm in Sialkot, 56mm in Joha­rabad, 46mm in Lahore, 44mm in Sar­godha, 27mm in Khushab, 21mm in Murree, 17mm in Rawalpindi, 15mm in Narowal, and 7mm each in Chiniot and Mianwali.

The authority said advance planning, timely deployment of machinery and effe­ctive drainage operations enabled rainwater to be cleared quickly despite heavy rainfall, providing significant relief to residents. The spokesperson said the current spell of monsoon rains was expected to continue until Aug 5.

The PDMA, district administrations and other relevant agencies remain on high alert, with continuous monitoring of rivers, dams and barrages.

PDMA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa said there was a low flood situation at Kalabagh and Chashma on the River Indus. He said water storage stood at 85pc in Tarbela, 54pc in Mangla, 46pc in Thein dam, 40pc in Pong dam and 37pc in Bhakra dam.

According to the PDMA report, 45 people have died and 279 have been injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab during the current monsoon season. Of the fatalities, 33 were caused by the collapse of mud and dilapidated buildings, six by drowning, four by electrocution and two by lightning strikes.

Mr Jappa said the injured were being provided the best possible medical treatment and that affected families would be compensated in accordance with the Pun­jab government’s policy.

He urged citizens to take precautionary measures during the monsoon, not allow children to bathe in rain drains, low-lying areas, rivers or canals, and to contact the relevant authorities immediately in case of an emergency.

According to the PDMA, its control room is monitoring the situation round the clock to ensure a timely response to any emergency.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

Polls in AJK are currently being held in three phases over security concerns, with the first set of polls held in Mirpur division on Monday. These include polls for the 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for refugees from Indian-occupied Kashmir.

A spokesman for Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa said that a foolproof security plan had been devised to ensure the smooth conduct of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, with the deployment of 4,029 police personnel.

He said 175 polling stations had been set up for the elections in four constituencies of Rawalpindi Division: Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and Murree. The polling stations had been categorised as ‘A’ (highly sensitive), ‘B’ (sensitive) and ‘C’ (normal).

“Providing voters with the right to vote in a safe environment is the top priority of the Rawalpindi regional police,” RPO Alpa said.

All available resources will be utilised to hold free, transparent and fair elections, while special surveillance and effective patrolling will be ensured at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations, the RPO said.

He noted that strict implementation of the security plan would be ensured “at all costs” and that suspicious individuals, activities and illegal weapons would be closely monitored.

The senior police official further said strict legal action would be taken against those violating election laws and the code of conduct, adding that full communication and effective coordination would be maintained with the district administration, Election Commission and other institutions.

“Police officers will be present in the field themselves and monitor election security arrangements. Citizens should abide by the code of conduct and immediately report any suspicious activity to the police,” the RPO said.

3,100 police personnel to be deployed in Rawalpindi district

The Rawalpindi district police have devised a security and traffic plan for the peaceful conduct of the AJK Assembly elections.

A police spokesman said that, as part of the security plan, more than 3,100 district police personnel and 200 traffic police personnel would be deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of polling at 100 polling stations located in Rawalpindi district.

Of the 100 polling stations, 18 have been placed in category A, 45 in category B and 37 in category C based on their sensitivity.

Polling stations have been set up in the areas of Thana City, Ganjmandi, Ratta Amaral, Pirwadhai, Waris Khan, Bani, New Town, Sadiqabad, Chaklala, Civil Lines, Cantt, Race Course, Taxila, Wah Cantt, Saddar Baroni, Dhamial, Chakri, Chontra, Rawat, Mandara, Gujar Khan, Jatli, Kallar Syedan and Kahuta.

Foolproof security arrangements have also been made for the safe delivery of polling materials, the spokesperson said.

City Police Officer (CPO) Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera said that implementation of the election code of conduct and the rules and regulations formulated by the Election Commission would be ensured.

Ensuring the safety of citizens and ensuring peace and security is the top priority, the CPO said, adding that foolproof security arrangements will be ensured till the completion of the election process.

Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging had marred the polling process in AJK, with the PML-N and PPP accusing each other of electoral malpractice.

Meanwhile, the regional administration and the now-banned Joint Awami Action Committee have been at odds over various issues, most notably the committee’s demand to abolish the 12 reserved seats in the region’s Legislative Assembly.

A police official also confirmed the development to Dawn, saying that when a police team went to arrest the suspect on Thursday, he tried to flee.

“In his attempt to run away, he fell, and a pistol tucked into his waistband went off. As a result, he was injured and subsequently arrested by police,” the official said.

Wanhar police had registered a first information report (FIR) against the prayer leader on July 28 on the complaint of the 10-year-old girl’s father under Section 376 (punishment for rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

According to the FIR, a copy of which is available with Dawn, the girl’s father told police that his daughters, aged 10 and five, used to go to a mosque in Munara village of tehsil Kallar Kahar for Quran lessons by the prayer leader.

On July 28, he said, his younger daughter returned early after her Quran lesson while his elder one came back crying later.

The complainant said his elder daughter told his wife that the prayer leader sent other children, including her sister, home early but asked her to stay back. She told her mother that the prayer leader asked her to go inside a room, followed her inside the room and raped her, the FIR said.

The complainant also accused the prayer leader of showing his daughter a knife and threatening to kill her if she told anyone about him raping her.

According to CTD sources, Under Officer Fida Hussain, along with his team, was on mobile duty when he received information about the presence of two suspects.

He, along with his team, raided the location and apprehended two suspects — Muhammad Aziz, a resident of Badha Baar, Peshawar, and Walayat Shah, a resident of Post Office Mosa Zai, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

CTD officials say the suspects were planning terrorist activities, targeting sensitive and security installations in and around Okara.

During the operation, they say, the CTD recovered two shoulder bags, containing 1,947 grams and 1,806 grams of explosive material, respectively. Other seized items included electronic devices, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two iron boxes, six battery holders, electric circuits, four detonators, wires, and Rs5,500 cash.

Bomb Disposal Squad personnel, led by Naveed Hyder from Okara, were called to the scene, who deactivated the two live devices in the suspects’ bags.

A case (No 24/26) was registered under sections 4/5 of the Explosive Act 1908 and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1996, on the complaint of CTD Sub-Inspector Muhammad Anees. Sources say both suspects were shifted to the CTD headquarters in Sahiwal for further investigation.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

Addressing the passing-out parade of Lady Recruit Course-18 at the Police Training College, Chuhng, here on Thursday, the chief minister said she felt immense pride in the courage and determination displayed by Punjab’s daughters, describing each visit to the training college as an emotional experience.

She praised the recruits for successfully completing rigorous training, including handling heavy weapons. Congratulating the families of the recruits, she said the parents deserved equal recognition for encouraging their daughters to serve the nation despite outdated social norms.

“As capable as these daughters are, equally remarkable are the parents who sent them to serve the country without caring about obsolete traditions,” she said.

The CM said the graduating batch of 1,156 women was the largest in Punjab’s history, while more than 6,000 women were already serving in the Punjab Police.

She said wearing the police uniform marked the beginning of a great responsibility, which had to be fulfilled with honesty, hard work and justice. Although she did not wear the uniform herself, she remained fully conscious of its dignity and sanctity.

She said the government was committed to making Punjab’s cities, roads and streets completely safe for women. Expressing satisfaction over the increasing confidence of women travelling independently on scooters, she said girls going to schools, colleges and workplaces no longer needed anyone’s assistance.

“Take out your bike and go, because Punjab is now safe,” she remarked.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

The Punjab government has identified that a significant portion of these assets remains unutilised, under-utilised, fragmented, encroached upon, or otherwise incapable of generating optimum economic returns for the government.

At present, there existed no dedicated institutional mechanism responsible for identification, inventory management, utilisation, monetisation and disposal of such unutilised or under-utilised landed assets through efficient, competitive and market-driven processes.

The authority has been established through an ordinance promulgated by the Punjab governor and gazette notified by the Punjab law and parliamentary affairs department on Thursday. It has come into force across Punjab. The Punjab governor has promulgated the ordinance as the Punjab Assembly is not in session.

CS to head 10-member Asset Management Authority of Punjab; move aims at generating non-tax revenue to meet fiscal needs

It has been stated that the increasing fiscal requirements of the province, growing demand for public infrastructure and social services, and the need to generate sustainable non-tax revenues necessitated the establishment of a specialised institution for efficient management of the Punjab government assets that still remained either under-utilised, or altogether unutilised.

The Punjab government also identified that the existing disposal and utilisation mechanisms were dispersed across multiple entities and were often based upon conventional procedures that did not consistently ensure efficiency, competitiveness or realisation of true market value. “The absence of a centralised digital inventory and GIS-based database of such government assets has limited the latter’s ability to effectively benefit from, or even protect such valuable landed assets,” it said.

In order to address these challenges, the establishment of the Asset Management Authority of Punjab was proposed with a mandate to identify, survey, classify, explore its best possible use, develop, utilise, monetise, lease or dispose of in one way or the other such surplus landed assets and properties owned or controlled by the Punjab government.

The authority has been mandated to effectively manage and utilise government assets through attracting investment, and to take projects for economic benefits in collaboration with private investors, local or foreign to generate revenue, facilitate job creation, enhance provincial revenues and exports, bolster economic growth and improve service delivery to the people and the matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto.

While the headquarters of the authority shall be established at Lahore, the 10-member authority will be headed by the chief secretary, while the senior member board of revenue will serve as its vice-chairman; and authority’s managing director acts as secretary.

The authority members comprise chairman planning and development board; administrative secretaries of finance, law and parliamentary affairs, housing, urban development and public health engineering, local government and community development departments; chief executive officer of the Punjab financial adviser services, and chief executive officer of the Punjab Public Private Partnership Authority.

The ordinance says the authority shall meet at least once in every quarter and decisions shall be made with majority of the members present and voting. The quorum of a meeting shall be one-half of its total membership.

The law envisages establishment of different committees including cabinet committee; valuation and determination of reserve price committee; disposal committee; unsolicited proposals committee and grievance redressal committee to perform functions assigned to them.

The law says there shall be an “Asset Management Authority of Punjab Fund” allowing the authority to utilise the funds to meet its expenses and charges properly incurred in connection with the carrying out of its functions and duties assigned or transferred to it.

The authority shall have the power to make decisions for utilisation of assets for maximising their commercial, social and strategic potential. The authority shall retain two per cent of net project proceeds for its expenditure and remaining 98pc from the project proceeds shall be deposited with the provincial consolidated fund. The auditor-general of Pakistan shall annually audit the accounts of the authority.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

LAHORE: Recent floods in Feroze­wala, Muridke — Sheikhupra tehsils — and Kala Shah Kaku have affe­cted more than 94 villages, submerging vast tracts of land along the Lahore-Guj­ranwala tract of the GT Road for the past several days.

According to a Punjab Provincial Disaster Man­a­gement Authority (PDMA) report, at least 1,215 hou­ses — 1,075 in Ferozewala and 140 in Muridke — were affected, while 43,188 acres of land were inundated.

The PDMA said 738 pe­­o­ple and 46 livestock were evacuated, adding that 13 relief camps were established. Over a dozen medical camps and mobile clinics treated 1,633 pati­e­nts while 4,085 ration bags were distributed among af­­­fected families. The PDMA report said that Rescue 1122 deployed seven dewatering sets and 25 more were deployed by the municipal committees.

The situation, however, seemed to be returning to normal on Thursday, as officials and locals said the water level in the Bhed and Deg nullahs was rece­ding. “However, if there are heavy rains in the next four to five days as predicted (by the Met office), the situation may again turn dangerous,” an irrigation official feared.

“The water level in ma­­jor localities, such as Pat­h­­an Colony and Noor­pur, Rahim Colony and others, has come down,” confir­m­­ed an official of the Lahore division’s administration. The official said that the Lahore commissioner and the Sheikhupura deputy commissioner were visiting the flood-affected areas daily and also met officers from various departments at the Ferozewala Muni­­ci­pal Committee (MCL). The Sheikhupura DC informed the commissioner about the losses, stating that the flooding in the nullahs (Bhed, Deg etc) submerged 94 mauzas and affected a large number of people, the official claimed.

More boats for rescue

Meanwhile, the administrations also expanded rescue and relief operations by adding more boats to reach residents in several rural and semi-urban localities that were still underwater after the nullahs breached their banks. Police have also been deployed in the area to safeguard the life and property of the victims.

The residents confirmed the intensification of the rescue and relief operation. “Yes, the government has reached us well with the expansion of the operation. Now the area has more boats to rescue people. We are also being given food and dry fruits,” said Waseem Khan, a resident of Pathan Colo­­ny. “The water level in the nullah as well as the village has dropped to one to two feet. The accumulation of water in our houses has also reduced,” he added.

Meanwhile, a press rel­ease issued by the office of the Lahore commissioner said that Commissioner Nauman Yousaf visited flo­od relief camps and inundated areas in Sheikhu­pura to review rescue and relief operations.

Flood forecast

In a statement on Thu­rsday, the Flood Fore­casting Divi­sion (FFD) said the Indus River will remain in a medi­um flood at Guddu Barrage for up to 36 hours before entering a similar state at Sukkur Barrage over the next 24 hours.

River Chenab will like­­ly fluctuate between low and medium floods at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad and flow in high flood at Marala in the coming days. Accor­ding to the FFD, the water level in Ravi, Chenab, Jhe­lum, Sutlej and Kabul has come down considerably, and they were flowing bel­ow the low flood threshold.

The FFD, however, predicted medium-to-high-level flows in the nullahs of Jhe­lum, Chenab (Dora, Dotta, Dowara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik, and Palkhu), and Ravi (Bein, Bassanter, Deg, and Sakki).

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

Complaints have emerged from the villages and towns in Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur divisions, where Mepco consumers told Dawn that they had been facing power outages, mostly in spells of two to three hours daily.

Shahroz Akhtar, who runs a medical store in Alipur, says repeated outages have made it increasingly difficult for people to continue their businesses without uninterrupted power supply.

“There is hardly any electricity for most of the day. These prolonged outages make it hard to remain at the shop during the intense heat. Besides, the outages also damage the medicines that require refrigeration,” he says.

Mepco officials shift blame on maintenance work in flood-hit areas

Yaqoob Ahmad Lashari, a resident of Jatoi, questioned the prolonged outages on Rampur feeder, asking whether the interruptions were linked to excessive line losses or some other technical issue.

“Can anyone explain why there has been so much loadshedding on Rampur feeder over the past few days? If the outages are due to high line losses, where all that electricity is going?” he asked.

In Hasilpur, a resident, Shahid Khan, says unannounced loadshedding is severely affecting daily life. “Businesses are suffering, students cannot study and routine household activities have been badly disrupted because of prolonged power outages in extreme heat,” he says, urging the authorities to issue a regular loadshedding schedule if power cuts can’t be avoided.

Ishfaq from Layyah says people are facing loadshedding around the clock, which has made their life difficult. He says the businesses are suffering due to eight-hour loadshedding during daytime and sleep-depriving six-hour outages at night.

Residents from several other areas also deplore prolonged outages, saying electricity is frequently suspended for two to three hours at a stretch, adding that it has become a daily routine.

Alipur Mepco Executive Engineer (EXEN) Sanaullah Zafar denied that forced loadshedding was being carried out. He claims that the electricity supply had been temporarily suspended in certain areas to facilitate transformer installation and to ensure the safety of workers carrying out maintenance work.

However, when asked to specify the locations where transformers were being installed and the number of transformers being replaced, he could not substantiate his claim.

A senior Mepco official, speaking on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media, alleged that the utility had received directions from the government to observe forced loadshedding and it had no authority to discontinue the practice.

Mepco spokesperson Jamshaid Niazi also denied that forced loadshedding was being resorted to.

“River flooding has affected several localities in the Alipur area. Daytime shutdowns are necessary to allow maintenance work safely, and transformer replacement work will be completed soon,” he said.

Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari could not be reached for his stance despite repeated attempts by this reporter.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

The NCCIA case alleges that Niazi made derogatory and inflammatory remarks against state institutions during a podcast interview and in subsequent clips shared on X.

Earlier, Niazi appeared before the court along with her counsel, Barrister Shahryar Riaz.

The counsel submitted that the petitioner was a permanent resident of Lahore, while the case had been registered in Islamabad. He said the petitioner feared arbitrary arrest before she could approach the relevant court in Islamabad.

The barrister also argued that the allegations in the case were politically motivated and part of an attempt to harass her.

The counsel requested that the court grant interim protective bail to the petitioner, allowing her to appear safely before the relevant court in Islamabad.

After hearing the arguments, Justice Sardar Akbar Ali granted protective bail to Niazi for one week and directed her to appear before the relevant court before the next hearing.

The first information report (FIR) was registered on Monday under Sections 20 (Offences against dignity of a natural person) and 26-A (Punishment for false and fake information) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, alongside sections 505 (Statement conducing to public mischief) and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The FIR, a copy of which is available with Dawn, alleged that Niazi and others had been involved in “preparing, publishing, propagating, glorifying, disseminating and promoting highly offensive, derogatory, inflammatory and intimidating content” on social media. It added that she had deliberately targeted security and state institutions with misleading and false allegations and targeted the reputation of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

The NCCIA termed this a “deliberate campaign” to malign these institutions and spread false narratives, and accused Niazi of undermining the achievements of the armed forces in a podcast interview available online.

“The accused has intentionally spread hated against the defence forces … with an intent to cause fear, panic and disorder” amid the public, the FIR stated.

The NCCIA had earlier summoned Niazi to appear before it on July 20 over allegations of disseminating “false, offensive and inflammatory” content against state institutions.

While the notice did not specify the content in relation to which Niazi has been summoned, it was issued after the clip of her making claims in relation to last year’s brief military conflict between Pakistan and India was widely shared on social media.

In the clip, she is seen alleging during an interview that the conflict was “orchestrated” to improve the image of Pakistan’s military. She claimed the “drama” was played out in collaboration with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning why Modi would have refrained from further attacking Pakistan otherwise.

In this connection, she went on to allege that the objective was to get Israel recognised by Pakistan, linking US President Donald Trump’s praise of Pakistan’s leadership with Israel’s recognition as well.

Spokesperson for the Lahore deputy commissioner Harris Ali confirmed to Dawn that the death toll of the incident had risen to 11 after rescue workers pulled out the body of a minor girl.

The rescue operation ended following the recovery of the girl’s body, he said.

The spokesperson said three brothers and their families were residing in the building, and they were joined by their sister and her children for a birthday celebration on Wednesday night, following which the structure collapsed.

“The building collapsed floor by floor from the top down,” he said.

The cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, for which Lahore DC retired Capt Muhammad Ali Ijaz has ordered an inquiry, a statement issued by his office said.

The statement said he supervised the rescue operation, adding that Rescue 1122 teams, assisted by district administration officials, carried out the operation.

Heavy machinery had also been deployed to speed up the operation, it said.

The incident comes a month after a roof collapse at a tuition centre in Lahore’s Kahna area claimed the lives of 14 children. Police had registered a case against the tuition centre’s owners and the building’s contractor a day after the incident, with the first information report stating that the suspects were putting soil on the dilapidated building’s roof, which collapsed because of the extra load.

In a similar incident in early May, four children were killed and 20 people injured after the roof of a classroom at a private school in Dera Ghazi Khan collapsed. A probe into the incident revealed that construction for an extension of the building was under way when the roof of the classroom collapsed.

According to the district administration’s incident report, the roof was overloaded as sand and bricks were placed on it, and it could not bear the load and consequently collapsed.

The Punjab government has posted retired Flt. Lt. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo as additional chief secretary. He was serving as secretary of the agriculture department and has been transferred.

Punjab Industries, Commerce and Investment Department Secretary Muhammad Umar Masud has been transferred and posted as agriculture department secretary. S&GAD department Secretary (Services) Zaid Bin Maqsood has been transferred and posted as industries, commerce and investment department secretary.

Secretary (Archives & Libraries Wing) S&GAD Muhammad Jahanzeb has been transferred and posted as secretary (Services) S&GAD department. He shall also hold the additional charge of the post of secretary (I&C), S&GAD, in addition to his own duties, till further orders. Secretary (I&C), S&GAD, Syed Muhammad Masood Nouman has been transferred and posted as secretary (Archives & Libraries Wing) S&GAD.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026

She was chairing a meeting on the ‘transformation of agriculture and water management’ here on Wednesday.

She was informed that 110 mini dams had already been completed across Punjab under the government’s water preservation initiative.

CM Maryam directed the authorities to prepare a comprehensive plan for developing surface water bodies to maximise rainwater storage and called for further strengthening of the legal framework governing groundwater management.

Says project to boost rainwater harvest; reiterates stance on rape; CTD sets up cell to monitor blasphemy-related cases

Reviewing agricultural support measures, the meeting also decided to provide 1,000 laser land levellers to farmers at a 50 per cent subsidy during the current financial year to improve land productivity and water-use efficiency.

Photographic evidence of recently completed mini dams in Attock, Talagang, Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi was presented during the meeting.

The meeting was informed that the adoption of high-efficiency irrigation systems had already saved 18,000 acre-feet of water while increasing crop yields by 50pc. An additional 30,000 acres would be brought under modern drip and sprinkler irrigation systems during the next three years.

Chairing a high-level meeting on law and order on Wednesday, the CM ordered strict legal action against those involved in rape, child abuse and corruption, directing authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against crimes targeting women and children.

The chief minister reviewed the province’s security situation and called for a comprehensive strategy to eliminate rape, child abuse and corruption.

She was informed that the Safe City Project had been completed in all 43 districts of Punjab and would be formally inaugurated soon. The chief minister approved the installation of more than 2,000 additional Safe City cameras in Lahore and directed the expansion of the project to 98 more tehsils as well as riverine (Katcha) areas.

The meeting was told that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had established a dedicated cell to monitor blasphemy-related cases, while a Special Cyber Unit would be created to tackle cybercrime. Additional personnel were also being inducted to strengthen security and development in tribal areas.

Officials briefed the meeting that the registration of Imams had been completed and Rs10 billion had been released for more than 72,000 Imams across the province.

The CM was informed that more than 139,000 illegally residing foreign nationals had been repatriated so far. During 2026, 23,243 illegal foreign nationals had been deported, while 5,127 illegal Afghan nationals were shifted to holding centres during the first six months of the year.

The meeting was also told that documentary and biometric verification of over 1.25 million people had been completed across Punjab, while all arrangements had been finalised to ensure the transparent conduct of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026

Additional District and Sessions Judge Zulfiqar Ahmed Naeem heard the bail petitions filed by Ijaz Haider and other police personnel.

The judge allowed their bail till Aug 12 and restrained the police from arresting them.

He directed each petitioner to furnish surety bonds of Rs50,000 and also ordered them to join the investigation.

The police officials had approached the court apprehending their arrest in the case registered by the Sarwar Road police.

According to the FIR, a police party led by Sarwar Road SHO entered the attorney general’s residence at around 6pm on July 27 after scaling the main gate. The cops allegedly harassed employees present in the house and damaged flower pots placed outside the residence during the operation.

A total of 11 policemen were booked in the FIR.

At the time of the police raid, the attorney general was not in the city.

The police claim the raid was conducted on a tip-off about the presence of some suspects in a neighbouring house, but the raiding team mistakenly entered the residence of the country’s principal law officer.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026

According to a spokesperson, suspect Haroon Qureshi was arrested during a raid in Lahore. He is accused of harassing and threatening women through various social media platforms.

In Faisalabad, the NCCIA arrested Abdul Rehman and Ayaz. The two suspects blackmailed a couple using objectionable material and also received money from them.

The NCCIA arrested Farhad Abbas in Multan. He is accused of sharing a woman’s photographs and videos on social media and blackmailing her.

Legal proceedings against the suspects are under way on the basis of digital evidence, while forensic examination of mobile phones and other digital devices seized from them has also begun.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026