LAHORE: Heavy rain, followed by a windstorm, lashed the city, ended the scorching heatwave and brought relief to the Lahorites, reducing the temperature on Thursday evening.

The residents of Lahore as well as other parts of Punjab had been enduring scorching weather conditions during the last several days. The Lahorites welcomed the sudden change as the rain began to hit various parts of the city, including Gulberg, Johar Town, Kot Lakhpat, Township, Ferozepur Road and Model Town.

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds hit multiple areas which ended the heatwave. Intermittent rain was also reported around Ferozepur Road, at Kalma Chowk, Ichhra, Muslim Town, Wahdat Road, Garden Town, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Gulberg, Faisal Town, Canal Road, Allama Iqbal Town, and surroundings of the Nishtar Park Sports Complex.

However, the sudden rain caused damages too as three people died and seven were injured in Lahore and Narowal. A motorcyclist was killed when a tree fell on him on the Canal Road near Harbanspura. The victim was identified as Akmal resident of Imamia Colony. He was going alone when the tree fell on him during the rain.Traffic movement in several parts of the city was severely affected due to the rain. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed on the Ferozepur Road, Jail Road and in the DHA and Gulberg areas.

One death in Lahore, two in Narowal; seven injured

NAROWAL: Two people died and seven were injured due to strong winds and lightning that hit Narowal, Shakargarh, Zafarwal and surrounding areas. With strong winds, trees, electric wires, walls and solar panels on roofs of houses and animal shelters fell to the ground.

Due to heavy rain, one to three feet of water accumulated on the streets and roads in Narowal city. The rain continued for about 45 minutes and disrupted power system. The city and surrounding villages plunged into darkness after all the feeders of Gepco Narowal were shut down. The power supply could not be restored even after several hours when this story was filed.

Hurmat Ali, the spokesperson for Rescue 1122 Narowal, told Dawn 13-year-old Hanzala Salman died after being struck by lightning at village Maan, tehsil Zafarwal while 17-year-old Shazeb Asif died at Maan Jatan near Sankhatra due to a lightning strike.

The solar panels of a petrol pump near Shakargarh Road, Kartarpur, were uprooted by strong winds. Muhammad Waqas, 32, and Mujahid, 25, were seriously injured after being hit by a solar panel. Shahid, 65, was seriously injured when a wall collapsed on him as he was feeding animals in Khanowal village. Rescuers shifted him to the hospital. Muhammad Naeem, Anwar, Shahrzad and Muhammad Salam have also been injured in various rain-related incidents.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026

The meeting, presided over by the caucus convener, MPA Falbous Christopher, deliberated on the proposed Punjab Christian Marriage Bill 2026, which aims to modernise and strengthen the legal framework governing Christian marriages in Punjab.

The session was attended by minority members of the Punjab Assembly, including Emmanuel Ather, Shakeela Javed, Waseem Anjum, Maria Talal and Basroo Jee, along with Punjab Chief Coordinator for Minorities Affairs Raheela Khadim Hussain, Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad, Awais Dreshak, Attiya Iftikhar, Qudsia Batool, Samreen Taj and Advisor to the Punjab Assembly speaker, Usama Khawar Ghumman.

Prominent church leaders and representatives of various Christian denominations also participated in the discussions, including Archbishop Dr Azad Marshall, Archbishop Khalid Rehmat OFM Cap, Fr James Channan, Bishop Abraham Azeem Daniel, Samuel Payara, Romana Bashir, Rev Azhar Mushtaq and Katherine Sapna, alongside legal experts and community representatives.

Proposed law aims to modernise legal framework governing Christian marriages

Christopher appreciated the active involvement of church leaders and community stakeholders in the legislative process. Members conducted a clause-by-clause review of the proposed legislation and offered recommendations to ensure it effectively addresses the needs and concerns of the Christian community.

Presenting the bill, Ghumman outlined the vision of Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan for advancing minority rights through inclusive and consultative legislation.

He said the proposed law seeks to replace the outdated Christian Marriage Act of 1872 with a modern framework that safeguards the rights of Christian citizens, strengthens protections for free consent, introduces transparent procedures for marriage solemnisation and registration, and improves official record-keeping and legal certainty.

Participants reached a consensus on several key matters and stressed the importance of aligning the legislation with the views of the Christian community, registered churches and government policy. The caucus welcomed the objectives of the bill and invited stakeholders to submit further recommendations in writing for consideration during the legislative process.

The participants also appreciated the Punjab Assembly speaker’s efforts in promoting minority rights and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that all constructive suggestions from church leaders, legal experts and community representatives are carefully examined before the bill is finalised.

Concluding the meeting, Raheela Khadim Hussain thanked the participants for their contributions and reiterated her commitment to the protection and advancement of minority rights across Punjab.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026

LAHORE: In a symbolic tribute that transcends borders, Aitchison College has dedicated a classroom in honour of one of its distinguished alumni – former Indian Punjab chief minister Harcharan Singh Brar.

A ceremony was held at the college on Wednesday to name the classroom No-108 after Brar which was attended by Babli Brar, the daughter of Brar, college Principal Dr SM Turab Hussain, senior staff and office-bearers of the Aitchison College Old Boys Association. Industrialist Syed Babar Ali, Brar’s schoolmate and lifelong friend at Aitchison, joined the event online.

Babli Brar unveiled the plaque dedicating the classroom to her late father. “This classroom is dedicated to the loving memory of my friend Harcharan Singh Brar (1922-2009) of Srai Nanga, District Ferozepur,” says the text of the plaque written by Syed Babar Ali.

Harcharan Singh Brar joined Aitchison College in 1937 and graduated after passing his Senior Cambridge in 1941 and the Higher School Certificate of Cambridge University in 1943. He was an outstanding student, school prefect and was awarded the Rivaz gold medal. He did exceptionally well at games. He earned colours in riding, tennis and cricket, which gave him the full blazer, a coveted achievement.

Brar was admitted to Government College, Lahore in 1944 and graduated with a BA degree from the Punjab University. After 1947, he joined the Congress Party in India and was elected to the Provincial Assembly of East Punjab (1960) and appointed the Deputy Minister. After his tenure, he was appointed as the Governor of the Odisha Province (1977) and later-on Governor of Haryana and finally as the Chief Minister of Punjab (1995).

Syed Babar Ali said: “I have had the privilege of enjoying Brar’s friendship ever since we were classmates in 1937. He remained my best friend till he passed away in 2009. He and his family regularly visited us in Lahore and were warmly welcomed by my larger family.” Ali remained a student of Aitchison College from 1934 to 43.

According to Dr Tarunjit Singh Butalia, an honorary envoy at the Aitchison College, this classroom dedicated by Syed Babar Ali was a symbolic gesture of the over 70 years of his lifelong friendship with Harcharan Singh Brar.

“Their friendship transcended the trauma of the partition, time, their professions, and patriotism. It is a source of inspiration for young Pakistanis and Indians who will be the leaders of South Asia of tomorrow,” Butalia said and the plaque was placed outside classroom 108 of Senior School and a photograph of Brar wearing the college blazer had been hung inside the classroom.

Harcharan Singh Brar in his 1989 visit to Lahore inaugurated a library at Aitchison College and dedicated it to Babar Ali.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026

Funded entirely through a private investment model with an initial capital injection of Rs8.1 billion, the landmark project placed zero financial burden on the public exchequer.

To formalise the initiative, a signing ceremony was held at the civil secretariat on Thursday, where Lahore Horticulture Agency Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad signed the agreement on behalf of the government. The event was attended by the Punjab chief secretary alongside the Housing secretary, Lahore deputy commissioner, the chief traffic officer and other senior officials.

Under the initiative, a total of 50,000 electric bikes would be deployed across Lahore in a phased manner over the next 18 months. To support this fleet, 1,500 smart docking stations would be established at strategic locations, including public parks, green belts, and major urban hubs. The first phase would begin immediately with the deployment of 10,000 electric bikes to provide commuters with accessible, low-cost, and eco-friendly transport options.

Over the next 18 months, 50,000 e-bikes will be deployed across Lahore in a phased manner

The initiative carries significant ecological weight for a city regularly impacted by poor air quality. Transitioning to e-bikes is estimated to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 5,000 tonnes, substantially aiding efforts to mitigate urban smog. Beyond its environmental benefits, the project is expected to help curtail the national fuel import bill and stimulate the local economy by creating new, sustainable employment opportunities.

The financial structure also includes a clear revenue-sharing and carbon credit framework. The horticulture agency will retain a 50 percent share in carbon credits, while the horticulture agency, the Lahore Parking Company, and the Transport Department will each receive a 5 percent share of the project’s operational revenues.

From a technological standpoint, the system incorporates advanced safety and operational features to ensure seamless efficiency. The fleet will utilise a modern battery-swapping model to eliminate charging downtime, allowing users to quickly replace depleted batteries. Commuters will access the system via a dedicated mobile application integrated with real-time GPS tracking and monitoring.

In order to ensure security and maintain transparency, user access will require strict verification through the computerised national identity card (CNIC). Finally, in an effort to provide financial relief to citizens amidst inflationary pressures, the tariff structure has been kept highly affordable, setting the fare at Rs25 for the first kilometer and Rs15 for each subsequent kilometer.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026

LAHORE: Around 600 Sikhs from India arrived via Wagah Border on Wednesday to observe the death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev Ji, known as Jore Mela.

Punjab Minister for Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Additional Secretary (Shrines) Nasir Mushtaq and Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee officials welcomed the visiting pilgrims at Wagah.

Speaking on the occasion, Arora said Pakistan’s soil conveyed a message of peace, love and harmony. He said the government of Pakistan had issued visas to all Sikh pilgrims who applied to attend the commemorative events.

Nasir Mushtaq said such a large number of Sikh pilgrims had arrived in Pakistan for the occasion after a gap of 14 years. He said the death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev Ji was observed in a spirit of unity and devotion.

He said comprehensive arrangements had been made for the pilgrims in accordance with the directions of ETPB Chairman Qamaruz Zaman, including medical facilities, security measures and quality transport services.

Special arrangements were also made to protect pilgrims from the intense summer heat, while CCTV cameras had been instal­led to ensure foolproof security.

Indian Sikh delegation leaders Sardar Gurmeet Singh Bohar and Parmjeet Singh said they regarded Pakistan as their second home and described the country’s Sikh religious sites as sacred to their faith.

They said the spiritual peace they experienced upon arriving in Pakistan was beyond words and expressed hope that love, goodwill and peace would continue to flourish between the peoples of the two countries. The main ceremony will be held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 16.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

The proceedings, chaired by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, began two hours and 26 minutes behind schedule.

During the Question Hour, in which written queries of the lawmakers related to the irrigation department were taken up, treasury member Ahsan Raza Khan expressed his concern over water shortages in the siphon project and the collapse of a canal that reportedly affected thousands of acres of crops.

Responding to the concern, Irrigation Minister Kazim Pirzada said the siphon project has been included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and measures are being taken to improve water supply.

The speaker observed that the need for the siphon system’s repairs had long been felt and termed its inclusion in the ADP an important step forward.

The House also discussed allegations of illegal occupation of canal land in Dipalpur tehsil of Okara district.

Later, opposition member Ijaz Shafi criticised the government over issues relating to wheat prices, fertiliser costs, diesel prices and agricultural taxation, saying farmers are facing severe hardships.

The assembly then moved to legislative business, where tensions flared during debates on various bills.

Ministers objected to a lengthy speech by opposition lawmaker Imtiaz Sheikh. Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman remarked that legislation should follow proper parliamentary procedures.

Speaking on the walled city legislation, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb regretted that the opposition did not fully understand the purpose of the bill, adding that the government was committed to the restoration and development of the walled city of Lahore.

Information Minister Azma Bukhari at one point announced she would leave the chamber rather than continue listening to the lengthy debate, while treasury member Tariq Gill folded his hands in front of the speaker’s dais in an apparent attempt to persuade the opposition member to conclude his speech. It drew laughter from treasury members, as well as Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar, who was in the chair at that time.

The House subsequently approved eight bills, including the Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Bill 2026, the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Bill, the Public Sector Medical Universities (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Punjab Trusts (Amendment) Bill 2026, and the Aga Khan Properties (Succession and Transfer) Bill 2026, through a majority vote.

After completion of the agenda, Channar adjourned the session for an indefinite period.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

After being suspended by the FIA zonal director, the two ASIs and a constable had fled to avoid arrest.

According to details, Faisalabad FIA ASIs Khalil Ahmed and Alam Sher and Constable Azam Kaleem became candidates for promotion to the next scale without requesting NOC from higher authorities.

They also allegedly performed duties as supervisors in the running test of other candidates held at the FDA City.

Their alleged fraud was identified when FIA officials examined the footage of the running test on which the zonal director suspended them.

After the suspension, they reportedly fled to avoid arrest.

On the complaint of FIA Assistant Director Kashif Nazir, three separate cases were registered against the accused officials by the FIA.

ACCIDENT: A Lahore Police ASI died and his wife was critically injured after their car was rear-ended by another car on the M-3 motorway near the Jaranwala Interchange.

Police said ASI Amjad Ali, posted at the Gulberg Police station, was returning to his home in Jaranwala by car.

When he reached near Chak 628 GB Lundianwala, another speeding car coming from behind hit his car.

As a result, Amjad and his wife Surayya Bibi were seriously wounded. They were being shifted to the Jaranwala THQ Hospital but Amjad succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

Taking notice of the incident, the Punjab housing secretary ordered immediate action against the officials concerned. Police registered a case against three Wasa officials, including the managing director, and departmental proceedings were initiated against them.

According to an official handout, the tragedy occurred on Tuesday night when Wasa employee Wasim Masih and a private helper, Ikram Dogar, descended into a sewer line for cleaning work and fell unconscious. Upon receiving information, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf rushed to the spot and shifted the workers to the DHQ Hospital, Lodhran, where both were pronounced dead.

Sources said the workers had entered the main sewer line without proper safety gear and equipment. The DC ordered an inquiry into the incident and the alleged negligence of Wasa officials.

City Lodhran police, on the complaint of deceased worker Wasim Masih’s father Salim Masih, registered a first information report under Section 322 of the PPC against Wasa Managing Director Javed Akhtar, Site In-charge Roshan Rehan and Supervisor Ali Raza. None of the suspects had been arrested till the filing of this report.

The handout further stated that the managing director had been suspended from service and an inquiry under the Peeda Act had been initiated against the three officials.

FIRE: A major fire damaged around eight acres of forest land worth millions of rupees in the Meeranpur forest area near Jallah Arian on Multan Road late on Tuesday night.

According to Rescue 1122 Media Coordinator Muhammad Safdar, firefighting teams and ambulances were dispatched immediately after receiving an emergency call following Maghrib prayers. Firefighters found the blaze spreading at two locations in the forest and, with the assistance of forest department officials, battled the flames for more than two hours before bringing the fire under control.

However, extensive damage had already been caused to the forest area. The exact cause of the fire could not be determined, though officials suspect that a lit cigarette thrown by a passerby may have ignited the dry vegetation. The forest department authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the cause of the fire.

MURDER: A man was allegedly shot dead at his house in Basti Balochan, Mauza Arian, near Channigoth Bypass on Wednesday.

Police said Ali Akbar had an old enmity with Hamza, a resident of the same village. The suspect allegedly entered Akbar’s house while he was asleep and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

The injured man was shifted to the Rural Health Centre (RHC), Channigoth, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Channigoth police reached the scene, shifted the body for postmortem examination and registered a case against the suspect, who remained at large.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

According to data from the Sukkur Barrage Control Room on Wednesday, the total upstream inflow at Sukkur Barrage was recorded at 50,620 cusecs, while the total withdrawal stood at 32,120 cusecs.

Irrigation department sources and representatives of growers and millers stated that the combined water allocation for Sindh’s seven canals is 53,200 cusecs. With the actual supply at just 32,120 cusecs, Sindh is facing an overall shortage of 21,080 cusecs, or 39.6 per cent.

In contrast, upstream barrages and canal systems in Punjab continue to withdraw water well above their allocated share. Against an allocation of 44,000 cusecs, Punjab is currently drawing 53,394 cusecs — an excess of 9,394 cusecs, or 21.35pc. This continued over-withdrawal is directly reducing water availability downstream.

Barrage and canal breakdowns

The water distribution data across key canal systems paints a critical picture:

Right Bank Canals (Sukkur Barrage): North West (NW) Canal: Receiving 2,100 cusecs against an allocation of 4,260 cusecs (50.7pc shortage).Rice Canal: Receiving 5,300 cusecs against an allocation of 8,700 cusecs (39.1 pc shortage).Dadu Canal: Receiving only 860 cusecs against an allocation of 5,997 cusecs, marking the most critical deficit at 85.7 pc.

Left Bank Canals & Kotri Barrage: Nara Canal: Receiving 8,820 cusecs against an allocation of 13,037 cusecs (32.3 pc shortage).Khairpur Feeder East: Receiving 1,440 cusecs against an allocation of 2,150 cusecs (33pc shortage).Rohri Canal: Receiving 10,530 cusecs against an allocation of 15,541 cusecs (32.2pc shortage).Khairpur Feeder West: Receiving 1,160 cusecs against an allocation of 3,525 cusecs (67.1pc shortage).Kotri Barrage: Receiving 11,905 cusecs against an allocation of 26,900 cusecs (55.74pc shortage).

Impact on Balochistan

Under the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord, Balochistan is entitled to 2,200 cusecs through the North West Canal. However, because the total supply in the NW Canal has dropped to 2,100 cusecs, Balochistan is receiving less than its allocated share.

Prior to the 1991 accord, Balochistan’s share was 451 cusecs. In light of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Accord, Sindh now routes the revised 2,200 cusecs to the neighboring province. Flows are monitored at the Garang Cross Regulator, located at RD-102 of the Khirthar/North Western Canal near the Sindh-Balochistan border, which serves as the primary inter-provincial control and measurement point.

Official demands for equitable distribution

Well-placed sources confirmed that irrigation officials formally communicated the severe deficit on Wednesday to the chief engineer of the Barrage Management Unit.

The correspondence highlighted that the 85.7pc shortage in the Dadu Canal and the 50.7 pc shortage in the NW Canal are severely impacting the districts of Larkana, Shikarpur, and Qambar-Shahdadkot, alongside downstream areas in Balochistan.

The communication — which was also sent to the secretary irrigation Sindh, secretary (technical) irrigation, and the director of regulation —called for immediate steps to ensure equitable distribution. Officials warned that the current scarcity poses an acute threat to seasonal crops, particularly rice production.

Agro-economic threat to Larkana

The water crisis threatens a vital economic hub. According to Khair Muhammed Shaikh, president of the Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Larkana Division is a leading rice-producing region.

“Larkana District alone produces around 242,000 metric tons of rice annually. The division contributes approximately Rs90 billion per year in foreign exchange from rice production alone. Furthermore, out of 650 rice mills in Sindh, nearly 500 are located in the Larkana region, underscoring its central role in agro-processing and trade.”

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

A Guinness official said a team is also expected to visit PKLI&RC in this regard. The medical institute received a response from Guinness after submitting the case online along with visual evidence.

“We have achieved a landmark breakthrough in transplantation medicine, demonstrating a novel clinical approach that expands organ utilisation and advances the treatment of rare metabolic diseases,” said Dr Prof. Faisal Saud Dar, dean of PKLI&RC, during a press briefing on Wednesday.

The specialised multidisciplinary team, comprising transplant surgeons, hepatologists, paediatricians, anaesthetists, intensivists, nurses, transplant coordinators and allied healthcare professionals, was also present.

Describing it as an unprecedented demonstration of surgical innovation and clinical excellence, Prof Dar said the medical institution’s team of senior surgeons successfully performed 10 liver transplants in 23 hours and 20 minutes, including seven domino liver transplants and eight Auxiliary Partial Orthotopic Liver Transplants (APOLT).

A domino liver transplant is a sequential procedure in which one patient’s healthy liver is removed and transplanted into a second recipient, while APOLT is a complex surgical procedure in which a partial donor liver is implanted alongside a portion of the patient’s native liver.

“This innovative transplant strategy enabled nine children and one adult to receive life-saving liver transplants from only three donors, demonstrating how advanced surgical expertise can substantially expand the impact of scarce donor organs,” he said.

He added that all patients had been discharged from the hospital and reunited with their families.

Prof Dar said the initiative successfully integrated two of the world’s most sophisticated transplant techniques into a highly coordinated clinical programme — Domino Liver Transplantation and APOLT.

“The scientific novelty of this initiative lies in the successful execution of a coordinated series of domino and auxiliary liver transplants for patients with rare inherited metabolic disorders,” Prof Dar said.

He maintained that these pioneering procedures represented a significant advancement in the treatment of rare genetic and metabolic diseases, opening new possibilities for patients who previously had limited therapeutic options.

Dar added that the successful case exemplified what transplant specialists describe as a “metabolic chimera” — a sophisticated transplantation model that combines scientific innovation, surgical precision and responsible organ stewardship to extend the benefits of a single donor organ to multiple recipients.

“By optimising organ utilisation, this approach offers new possibilities for addressing donor scarcity and expanding access to life-saving transplantation.”

“Beyond its clinical and scientific significance, the initiative represents a powerful story of hope and renewed possibility,” the PKLI&RC dean said.

The achievement highlights the strength of regulatory governance and clinical excellence in advancing transplant care in Pakistan, he added.

Provincial Minister for Finance Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, who was also present on the occasion, congratulated the entire PKLI&RC team for setting a new benchmark in liver transplantation and bringing international recognition to Pakistan through excellence in healthcare.

He said the rare procedure further reinforced PKLI&RC’s position as a leading centre for transplantation, advanced clinical care and medical innovation in the region.

Prof Saeed Akhtar, chairman of the PKLI&RC Board of Governors, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its vision of providing patients with the most advanced and innovative medical treatments, emphasising that the hospital would continue to utilise its full capabilities to deliver world-class healthcare services.

Since its inception, he said, the institute has successfully performed 1,175 liver transplants, 1,276 kidney transplants and 19 bone marrow transplants, serving patients from across Pakistan and beyond.

Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad announced a verdict reserved on the maintainability of the petition filed by an activist, Ashba Kamran.

In his order, the judge observed that policymaking in the energy sector falls within the domain of the government and parliament, not the judiciary. He held that the court cannot function as an appellate forum for reviewing economic, financial and regulatory policies. He said mere disagreement with a policy does not constitute sufficient grounds for invoking the court’s constitutional jurisdiction through a writ petition.

The petitioner had contended that the government, under the Constitution, cannot impose any tax without the approval of the parliament. She alleged that the government had violated the Constitution by imposing an unlawful levy in the form of capacity charges.

Judge says energy sector’s policymaking domain of govt, not judiciary; disagreeing with policy not enough to file plea

The petitioner argued that the government had introduced the capacity charges merely on the recommendations of the federal cabinet and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) without adopting any legal mechanism or getting parliamentary approval.

She further submitted that payments to local investors linked to the USD exchange rate and made from the national grid were unconstitutional. She argued that power companies were being paid trillions of rupees despite not generating electricity or operating their plants, which amounted to an injustice to the public.

She claimed that Rs18.10 trillion had been paid to the independent power producers (IPPs) for unused electricity generation capacity and to the plants that remained inoperational.

The petitioner asked the court to order the government that payments should be made only against the actual electricity supplied to the system. She also sought directions for the government to recover trillions of rupees paid in excess to the IPPs and to hold officials involved in the process accountable.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026

Officials of the DPO office told Dawn that 32-year-old Hasna Bibi of Prabhatiwala village ran away from home 12 years ago and contracted court marriage with a young man of another caste.

However, due to her parents’ pressure, Hasna returned home a week after the wedding and was later forcibly divorced by the community using their influence.

Police sources claimed that Hasna’s family locked her in a tiny room within their home with no bathroom. They claimed that the woman was bound with iron chains for many years, with the door closed from outside.

Father, brother arrested

Her shackles were taken off after the family realised that her health had deteriorated to the point that she could hardly move. However, she was still not permitted to leave the room, use the restroom, or speak with anybody in the home, police claimed.

Officials said that this went on for 12 years until on June 4, the Bahawalnagar DPO constituted a special women police unit following a tip-off. They initially investigated the residence disguised as broom sellers and after confirming the woman’s imprisonment, raided it along with a male police squad, and safely rescued her.

According to police sources, for 12 years the woman was neither given proper food nor was she allowed to bathe, go to the toilet or even change her clothes.

They said the condition of the woman was critical and she could not even move on her own. She had been admitted to the DHQ Hospital, where her treatment was ongoing.

Police spokesperson said a case had been registered with the McLeod Ganj Police against Hasna’s father Riaz, mother Khursheedan Bibi, brothers Tariq, Sajid, Asif and Tahir on the complaint of ASI Athar Mahmood. Her father and brother had been arrested, he added.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026

On June 7, information was received on 15 that a young girl had been admitted to a private hospital in a critical condition while the people who brought her to the hospital fled the scene.

The 17-year-old girl was later identified. Police arrested the suspects and also confiscated the vehicle in which they had dropped the victim to hospital.

A kidnap case was already registered with the Satellite Town Police Station.

According to the statement of the main suspect, the girl’s health suddenly deteriorated and she was shifted to the hospital for treatment. However, the investigation is underway to find out all the facts of the incident.

DPO Sajid Hussain said every aspect of the case was being examined carefully and the evidence was being collected.

Sources revealed that after abduction, the girl was gang-raped by three suspects at the house of a relative of the main suspect and she was administered ice due to which her condition deteriorated. She was brought to the hospital in an unconscious condition.

PROTEST: Students of Jhang Nursing College and Midwifery and LHV School staged a protest demonstration in the DHQ hospital over humiliation and misbehaviour of the attendants of the injured persons of an accident three days ago.

The protesters apprised reporters that they were not directly responsible for patient care and they were tasked with only assisting doctors and nurses as a part of their training. They claimed that a written complaint was filed by them to the MS but no action had so far been taken.

Assistant Commissioner Rab Nawaz visited the hospital and assured the students that a transparent inquiry would be launched and action would be taken accordingly. At this, the protesters ended their protest.

ACCIDENT: A woman died and her husband received serious injuries when a speeding tractor-trolley ran over their motorcycle near Chak 15 railway crossing in Mian Channu tehsil of Khanewal.

The deceased was identified as Irshad Bibi (50) while her injured spouse was Abdul Khaliqdad (52).

Bus fire: A bus going from Karachi to Islamabad caught fire due to a short circuit near Shorkot on M-4 on Tuesday.

According to the spokesperson for the National Highway & Motorway Police, the patrol team evacuated all 34 passengers, staff and their luggage and no one was injured.

Immediately after the incident, the Motorway Police, Rescue 1122 and FWO staff jointly controlled the fire.

The bus was completely gutted.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026

Reports said the female patients were shifted to the hospital with identical symptoms of the mpox, a rare infectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus.

The doctors immediately isolated the women for further investigations/tests which later confirmed them positive for the virus.

A senior doctor said apparently the women had no history of international travelling. He said the hospital management has informed the health department for further investigations.

Third patient tests positive for mpox at BVH

BAHAWALPUR: After another man tested positive for the mpox virus, the number of confirmed cases at Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) rose to three on Tuesday.

BVH Medical Superintendent’s Coordinator and Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr. Muhammad Rizwan confirmed to Dawn that the blood samples of the man, which had been sent to a laboratory in Lahore on Friday, returned positive on Tuesday. He said the patient had already been under treatment in the hospital’s isolation ward.

Regarding the condition of the previously diagnosed mpox patient, a staff nurse at BVH, Dr. Rizwan said her health had improved. According to him, she no longer had fever nor spots on the body.

He added that if her recovery continued satisfactorily, she could be discharged after completing the remaining period of her mandatory 21-day isolation.

It merits mentioning that the third patient from whom the staff nurse had allegedly contracted the virus, had already recovered and was discharged from the hospital earlier. Hospital sources said the man who tested positive on Tuesday had reportedly been serving meals and attending to the original mpox patient during his stay at the hospital. The staff nurse is also believed to have contracted the virus from the same patient.

Although the nurse has largely recovered, she continues to remain in the isolation ward to complete the mandatory quarantine period.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026

The decision was taken at a video-link meeting presided over by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday to review the wheat and flour situation in the province.

As per the decision, the wheat will be procured from Passco to stabilise flour rates and the wheat market, while flour mills will be provided wheat at Rs3,300 per maund to ensure the availability of affordable flour and bread for the public.

The meeting also reviewed concerns regarding the alleged restriction on the supply of wheat from Punjab to other provinces, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. A detailed report was presented to the participants.

During the briefing, the officials informed the meeting that claims regarding restrictions on wheat supply from Punjab to any other province were not supported by facts. It was further stated that no complaint had been reported regarding the suspension of wheat supplies to Sindh.

The meeting was told that the process of wheat stock declaration in Punjab was continuing and that comprehensive data compilation was in progress.

Officials said stock data was being collected to assess and meet the province’s food requirements, adding that the grain size of the current wheat crop was comparatively smaller than usual.

It was decided that after meeting its own food requirements, Punjab would supply wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The chief minister directed the relevant authorities to continue monitoring the wheat situation and ensure measures aimed at maintaining market stability and safeguarding consumers’ interest.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026

The landmark session, which commenced with a delay of one hour and fifty-three minutes, was presided over by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.

At the outset, the newly elected MPA Zafar Abbas took the oath of office. The house also offered fateha for the departed souls of former lawmakers Malik Nadeem Kamran and Safdar Leghari, as well as for the citizens who recently lost their lives in Turbat.

Speaker Khan congratulated Fahad Shahbaz, an alumnus associated with the General Youth Assembly, on being featured in a prestigious American magazine’s list of influential young leaders. MPAs gave a standing ovation from their desks to honour his achievement.

The speaker declared that the adoption of paperless framework marks the beginning of a highly sophisticated era for the legislature. He emphasised that the digital transition will drastically cut down paper consumption, directly contributing to forest conservation and a reduced carbon footprint, besides saving millions of rupees for the exchequer.

Bill raising maximum age limit of VCs of medical varsities from 65 to 75 years introduced

He informed the house that specialised tablets, secured with unique codes, have been installed at the seats of all assembly members. He assured lawmakers that the e-assembly framework would be progressively strengthened and streamlined.

He added that a limited number of hard copies of bills and essential documents would still be provided to the members until the transition is fully optimised.

Treasury members Samiullah Khan and Amjad Ali Javed paid tributes to the speaker for pioneering the digital initiative.

During the Question Hour, matters regarding the revenue and colonies departments came under discussion. MPAs raised pressing issues concerning public grievances, revenue discrepancies, and the ongoing rehabilitation of flood victims.

MPA Javed disclosed that 758 acres of state-owned land, valued at approximately Rs4 billion, had been recovered from land mafias and fraudsters in Toba Tek Singh. He pointed out that certain government officials hesitate to take action against such influential mafias.

During a detailed debate over the state land leasing in Khanewal, Parliamentary Secretary Awn Jahangir clarified that 6,700 acres of government land have been leased out.

The session saw the introduction of several key ordinances and legislative bills, including the Punjab Judicial Academy Amendment Ordinance 2026, the Punjab Food Safety Laws Amendment Ordinance 2026, the Aga Khan Properties Succession and Transfer Bill 2026, and the Punjab Trusts Amendment Bill 2026.

Other legislation introduced during the session included the Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behaviour Bill 2026, the Quaid-e-Azam Institute of Management Sciences Sargodha Bill 2026, the Public Sector Medical Universities (Amendment) Bill 2026, allowing raising of maximum age limit from 65 to 75 for the appointment of vice chancellors, the Punjab Consolidation of Holdings Bill 2026, the Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Amendment Bill 2026, the Anti-Terrorism (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2026, the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2026, and the Punjab Vegetable Market Lahore (Repeal) Bill 2026. All bills were referred to their respective standing committees for a detailed two-month deliberation.

Meanwhile, political friction flared up when opposition lawmakers staged a strong protest after being denied permission to debate wheat-related issues.

Opposition MPA Mushtaq Ahmed pointed out the lack of quorum, prompting the assembly bells to ring. Upon finding the house short of the required numbers, the speaker censured Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad, reminding him that ensuring quorum is entirely his responsibility. Following the quorum disruption, the chair adjourned the proceedings until Tuesday afternoon.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026

The announcement was made by Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman during a pre-budget roundtable conference, the first of its kind, organised by the Punjab Finance Department. He said the provincial government is finalising a public-centric financial plan and is all set to officially present this budget on June 16.

This year’s budget preparation marks a historic shift in governance as the government brought together all major stakeholders, including representatives from international donors, chambers of commerce and industries, academia, agriculture and textile associations, media, and civil society, to present their problems and proposals directly.

The minister assured participants that the conference was not just a cosmetic exercise, promising that the recommendations would be integrated into the final budget as much as possible. He added that the government intends to move this consultative session to May in future years to allow even more time to incorporate public feedback.

Third consecutive tax-free budget likely on 16th focusses jobs, industrial growth

The upcoming budget places a massive emphasis on economic growth, with providing employment opportunities and investing in industrial infrastructure serving as the government’s top priorities.

To fund these initiatives without burdening citizens, the minister explained that the government is focusing on broadening the tax net, boosting industrialisation, creating economic zones, and improving the ease of doing business, rather than levying new duties.

He noted that while the resources available to meet the needs of Punjab’s 130-million-strong population are limited and despite pressure from the IMF, the current leadership remains “absolutely unwilling” to impose fresh tax burdens on commoners.

This financial strategy comes on the heels of an incredibly challenging fiscal year marked by global economic pressures and natural disasters. Rahman highlighted that Punjab recently survived the century’s worst floods, which devastated 27 districts. The provincial government managed the entire rehabilitation process using its own resources without federal financial aid.

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) regional chairman Zaki Aijaz called for reducing the industry production cost which, he claimed, was 30-35 per cent more than other countries in the region. He also bemoaned higher taxes in Punjab as compared with other provinces which was discouraging industrialisation in the province.

Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association leader Shahzad Ali Malik lamented that on one hand the government pledges to promote mechanisation of the agriculture sector and on the other it has imposed 5pc tax on those renting out farm machinery to small farmers and 16pc tax on agriculture advertisements.

Anjum Nisar, former president of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the need for developing water reservoirs by the provinces instead of just relying on the federation.

Rice exporter Imran Sheikh called for making easy import of used kabota (rice harvester) and cutting taxes on it to reduce 30pc crop losses because of use of wheat harvesters for the purpose.

Potato Growers’ Society president Maqsood Jutt suggested introducing technology for maize processing to save its use as human food instead of poultry feed.

Minister Rahman assured participants of incorporating their proposals into the budget.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026

According to the NCCIA, two suspects – Nadeem Ahmed and Muhammad Ahsan – were arrested in Lahore for allegedly sharing defamatory and obscene content related to women through social media and other digital platforms.

Khan, a resident of Kasur, was taken into custody for allegedly sharing ‘objectionable’ content against women through TikTok.

During a raid in Faisalabad, Zulfiqar and Rehan were arrested for allegedly sharing a woman’s ‘objectionable’ photos and videos via WhatsApp, and blackmailing a woman by threatening to upload her pictures, respectively. Forensic evidence also revealed instances of online harassment and threats.

Mobile phones and digital evidence were recovered from the suspects and further investigation is underway.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026

Speaking to businessmen at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Monday, he said future property transactions would be made through banking channels while housing projects would be required to maintain transparent records and comply with approved land inventories.

The NAB chief said that non-transparent practices, fraudulent schemes and irregular property transactions would be curbed through a comprehensive regulatory framework.

He said a one-window mechanism was being developed to facilitate approvals from relevant regulatory authorities, reducing delays and improving efficiency for developers and investors.

Future property transactions through banking channels

He said that the business community was the driving force of Pakistan’s economy and assured participants that the NAB remained committed to a fair, transparent and business-friendly accountability process. He noted that NAB had successfully resolved an overwhelming majority of complaints received through chambers of commerce and continues to prioritise timely relief for affected citizens.

He said that non-transparent practices, fraudulent schemes and irregular property transactions would be curbed through a comprehensive regulatory framework.

Butt inaugurated the NAB Executive Facilitation Office and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NAB and LCCI aimed at enhancing cooperation with the business community.

LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol welcomed the chairman and appreciated NAB’s initiatives aimed at promoting transparency.

NAB DG Lahore Mirza Faran Baig highlighted bureau efforts to facilitate the business community and promote awareness regarding accountability laws and legal safeguards. Meanwhile, Qaiser Sharif, President of the Public Aid Committee of Jamaat-i-Islami, held a meeting with the NAB chief and discussed problems faced by thousands of victims of fake, unregistered and registered housing societies.

COMPENSATION: The NAB chairman distributed a sum of Rs462 million among the affectees of different housing societies and investment firms.

During a ceremony held at NAB provincial headquarters here, the recovered amounts pertaining to the cases of Omega Residencia, Eden Housing, Abuzar Housing Scheme, Formanites Housing Scheme and Model Business Trade Centre were distributed.

The recoveries were made under the supervision of Lahore NAB DG Mirza Faran Baig.

In the Omega Residencia case, more than Rs145 million were distributed among 500 affectees as part of the first phase of payments.

In the Eden Housing case, Rs39.74 million was disbursed, in the Suzuki Sialkot Motors case a sum of Rs186.19 million was distributed among the affectees while payments amounting to Rs67.5 million were also made to affectees of the Abuzar Housing Scheme.

An amount of Rs2.2 million recovered in the State vs. Abrar Hussain Jaffery case was handed over to DS Postal Service, Mianwali.

The NAB said it already facilitated the transfer of approximately Rs685 million to 5,571 claimants through online banking channels, while payments to remaining verified claimants were being processed.

A total of Rs1.4bn were disbursed among 11,076 affectees in the Eden Housing case.

Addressing the ceremony, the chairman advised citizens to verify the NOC, approved layout plan and legal status of land before investing in any housing society or real estate project to avoid falling victim to fraud.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026

Under the scheme, 10,000 e-bikes and 300 docking and charging stations will be deployed across the city in the first phase, with residents able to hire a bike within seconds through a dedicated mobile application.

“The initiative is being developed under the government’s Green Mobility Programme and will require its final approval before formal launch,” Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal said while presiding over a meeting here on Monday.

“According to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision, we are introducing modern schemes to reduce smog and pollution. This is not a merely transport initiative, it is an environmental commitment. This is one of our most concrete steps in that direction,” he said.

Docking stations will be strategically placed at key residential and commercial areas, with a particular focus on connectivity to existing public transport hubs.

“The students, daily-wage workers, and office commuters stand to benefit most — groups for whom fuel costs and transport delays represent a genuine economic burden.”

As the Horticulture Agency Lahore would identify and provide land for docking and charging infrastructure, several other institutions are expected to join the effort, including the Lahore Parking Company, transport department, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), and other relevant departments, Mengal said and added that diverting even a fraction of short-distance petrol-powered journeys to electric bikes could yield thousands of tonnes of avoided carbon emissions annually.

“Beyond carbon reduction, planners anticipate a measurable decline in traffic congestion, fuel expenditure, and noise pollution — benefits they describe as compounding over time as the network matures.”

He said that minors would be barred from registering with the application.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026

In a letter to the interior ministry, dated June 4, the Home Department sought necessary action regarding the requisition of troops as requested by the Punjab police chief for security assistance.

The letter stated that the “present security environment underlines the requirement of evolving a deliberate and foolproof security mechanism” during the upcoming month of Muharram, in order to prevent action by terrorists or “miscreants”.

In total, the services of 137 army and Rangers companies, including 61 of the Pakistan Army and 76 of Rangers, have been requested across at least 37 districts of Punjab, according to the letter.

The deployment of both Army and Rangers personnel has been sought for Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana, Gujranwala, Narowal, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Wazirabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Chiniot, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Kot Addu.

Only one army company has been requisitioned for Vehari, while only Rangers’ deployment has been sought for Sialkot, Jhelum, Mianwali, Lodhran, and Rahim Yar Khan. No companies were sought for Kasur and Murree.

The contingents are to provide security services during various periods between Muharram 1 and 12, according to the home department letter.

The department has also issued guidelines for the maintenance of peace and order for Muharram, requiring vigilance and extensive measures to ensure security.

In a seven-page order issued to all police and civil administration on Friday, it advised security measures even in remote areas and called for timely and proactive intelligence sharing between all law enforcement agencies.

Punjab Inspector General (IG) Abdul Kareem reviewed the security plan for Muharram at the Central Police Office last week. Noting that ensuring security during Muharram had become more challenging than before, he directed officers to perform their duties with full commitment.

Presently, the upper age limit for the VC post is 65 years in all public sector universities in Punjab. Even, the criteria for the selection of chairperson of the Higher Education Commission Pakistan has the maximum age limit of 65 years.

An official privy to the development says the move came at a time when some 46 candidates, mostly the serving senior doctors, applied for the slots of the VCs of five medical universities in response to the advertisement by the government. The last date of the applications for the positions was May 6.

All the candidates, including those presently serving as VCs of these universities, are waiting for the secruitiny process of their applications by the selection committee formed by the government under the supervision of Specialized Healthcare Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique. Ex-Punjab chief secretary retired Capt Zahid Saeed, former bureaucrat Farkhanda Wasim Afzal, serving as chairperson of the board of governors (BoG) of the University of Health Sciences, and a senior representative from a private university are also members of the committee.

Minister rejects allegations, says move is aimed at improving functioning of varsities

The official says that the move for relaxation in age limit, that too by 10 years, has created a widespread resentment among the medical fraternity, especially the serving candidates, when they got to know that a majority (80pc) of them may lose the race.

The official says the proposal is aimed at facilitating the ‘elderly candidates’, especially those who have already retired and are going to retire soon while serving as VCs of the five medical universities or have served in the past as VCs or on other top administrative positions like those of principal. He adds that there are also some reports that a powerful candidate from the north Punjab is the key person who pushed the health authorities to go for the change in the age limit in order to enjoy his third term as the VC of a public sector university.

The official says that the health department wants the Punjab government to increase the age limit to 75 through the promulgation of an ordinance to give it a legal protection.

To a question, he says that the terms of the serving VCs of the five medical universities of Punjab would complete by July 2026. They include UHS VC Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathor, King Edward Medical University VC Mahmood Ayaz, Fatima Jinnah Medical University VC Prof Khalid Masood Gondal, Rawalpindi Medical University VC Dr Mohammad Umar and Faisalabad Medical University Prof Zafar Chaudhry. Of them, Prof Umar, Prof Zafar Chaudhry and Prof Gondal are contesting for the third term while UHS and KEMU VCs are in the contest to retain their second time.

“Yes we have initiated a proposal to increase the maximum age limit from 65 to 75 for the selection of the new VCs of five medical universities,” Khawaja Salman Rafique confirmed while speaking to Dawn. He says the objective of the move is to get services of the highly experienced medical teachers to improve the functioning of the medical universities.

The health minister rejects the allegations of favouring any individual/individuals by changing the age limit, saying that the experienced candidates, particularly those who have served against the top administrative positions of the under and postgraduate teaching institutions, can better deliver to standardise the medical education and research than others.

Talking about the international best practices, another senior medical teacher says that a research on university leadership in the UK, US, Australia, and Europe generally finds average age at appointment approximately 61-64 years while average age during service approximately 62-65 years.

He argues that at institutions such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the person appointed is most often around 58–64 years old, after decades of academic, research, and administrative leadership experience.

“If somebody has not brought a change in four or eight year of his tenure as VC, how do you expect him to bring about a change when he is in his 70s?,” the teacher asks.

He says that the authorities should avoid changing the rules to favour any particular individual/s.

“This is a need of the hour to prevent further litigation in selection of VCs of medical universities of Punjab and prevent our medical institutions from a further deterioration by increasing the age limit of vice chancellors from a world standard of 65 years,” the official says.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026

Special Committee No. 6 was set up in September 2024 under the Rule 187 of the Assembly’s rules of procedure after MPA Amjad Ali Javed moved an adjournment motion over the club’s affairs. Headed by MPA Samiullah Khan, the committee was given a nine-point mandate and asked to report to the House within two months.

Under its terms of reference, the committee was to examine the legality of the lease, the club’s compliance with a 2023 rent policy, the construction of unauthorised structures, the financial loss to the exchequer and its recovery, the club’s exclusive use of public land in Bagh-e-Jinnah, and its membership criteria.

The committee held its only meeting on Sept 30, 2024, the first sitting of an Assembly committee to be opened to the public and telecasted live. It directed the Board of Revenue (BoR) senior member to appear in person with the land record and a market valuation, and asked the law department to advise on the legality of the lease and the options available to protect the public interest. The agriculture department, the deputy commissioner and the director general of audit were also asked to attend. The minutes show the next meeting was to be held “in due course”, but no further sitting has taken place.

The committee set up in Sept 2024 has met only once and was given two months to submit its findings

Samiullah Khan tells Dawn that he plans to convene a meeting this week during the assembly session and take the issue to its logical end. However, any decision of the committee, he stresses, would be in the ‘larger public interest’. He did not say why the issue lingered on for 20 months, though the committee had been tasked to settle the matter within two months.

Documents available with Dawn show a wide gap between the value of the land and the rent the club pays. A valuation report prepared by the BoR puts the market value of the commercial land along The Mall, Jail Road and Zafar Ali Road at up to Rs200 million per kanal. For the nearly 1,091 kanals (about 112 acres) in the club’s possession, that places the value of the land at around Rs218 billion.

The club pays Rs5,000 a year in rent under a lease signed in 1996 and valid till 2050. The amount works out to about Rs417 a month, or 38 paisas per kanal per year.

According to the valuation report, the club is also in possession of three kanals and 16 marlas more than the record of rights shows in its name. The committee was further informed that the club holds a 3.5-acre cricket ground inside Bagh-e-Jinnah, owned by the agriculture department, for which no lease exists.

The law department, in its opinion placed before the committee, held that Clause 6 of the 1996 lease allowed the government to terminate the lease at any time on a six-month notice, and that under Clause 8 no compensation was payable to the club for any structure built on the land. The BoR stated that the government was bound to resume the land for a public purpose or on a breach of the lease, and that it had no record of approval for the permanent structures raised by the club.

In its written reply, the club stated that its buildings, including a clubhouse, golf clubhouse, swimming pool, guest blocks, a mosque and a café, had been constructed after the lease. It listed grants received from successive governments but maintained that no public money was being spent on it. It also declined to provide its list of members, calling it confidential. Under the club’s rules, civil servants of grade 18 and above and commissioned officers of the armed forces are entitled to membership against a token fee.

Earlier, the club had refused to share details of its lease and donors sought under the right to information law, arguing before the Lahore High Court that it was not a “public body”. The court dismissed the plea in January 2023, observing that the land was part of the resources of the state and that a rent of Rs5,000 a year “cannot be even termed as any rate whatsoever”.

The arrangement is not confined to Lahore. A policy approved by the caretaker provincial government and notified by the Colonies Department on May 10, 2023 allowed the grant of state land to gymkhana clubs across Punjab at 10 per cent of the market rent. According to the BoR, the rent being charged ranges from Rs20,000 an acre a year at clubs in Mandi Bahauddin and Chiniot to Rs140,000 at Jhelum and Gujranwala city. The board, however, has taken the position that the 2023 policy does not apply to the Lahore Gymkhana as its lease is older.

The issue has resurfaced days after the Indian government ordered the Delhi Gymkhana Club, founded like its Lahore counterpart in 1913, to vacate the 27.3 acres of leased land by June 5 by invoking a clause in its lease for a public purpose.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026

In a joint press conference held at the Lahore Press Club, Pakistan Solar Association Chairman Waqas Moosa, President Nasir Mahmood, Vice Chairman Shahab Ghauri, General Secretary Muhammad Farooq Gujjar, former federal budget secretary of Lahore Tax Bar Association Saeed Ayub said solar energy was successful and lasting solution to Pakistan’s energy crisis, which had partially relieved millions of consumers from the burden of expensive electricity and benefitted the national economy.

The speakers said a 10pc sales tax was already imposed on solar equipment, the proposal to increase it to 18pc was against the country’s energy and economic interests. They added that the loadshedding situation in the country had been better this year compared to the past and solar energy had played a big role in this.

Millions of consumers reduced the pressure on the national grid with their personal investments, which had benefited not only electricity consumers but also the national economy. They said that during the last four years, Pakistan managed to avoid about $12 billion worth of imported oil and gas costs, in which the rapid growth of solar energy played a major role.

Consumer representatives Shahid Usman, Aamir Butt and Omar Khokhar said that citizens who were adopting solar energy were not installing solar for any luxury or investment, but they had taken this step to save their families from expensive electricity and load shedding. Millions of middle-class families have installed solar systems in their homes by spending their savings or taking loans and it’s unfair to impose more taxes on such people, they added.

The speakers urged the government to consider solar energy as a pillar of the national energy policy instead of making it a revenue-generating tool.

The Pakistan Solar Association, Lahore Tax Bar Association and consumer representatives demanded that the federal government reject the proposed 18pc sales tax on solar equipment, review the current tax policy and adopt policies that would lead Pakistan towards affordable and clean energy.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026

The woman, M, alleged in the FIR that the incident took place some weeks back when three suspects took her to fields, where they allegedly gang-raped her.

Giving the reason for the delay in filing the complaint, she said the alleged rapists had been threatening her of dire consequences if she reported the matter to the police.

A police official says the case has been referred to the investigation police for the arrest of the suspects, who were still at large.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026

The patient, belonging to the city, whose name was withheld by BVH administration, is the relative of the earlier patient from whom the staff nurse had earlier contracted mpox virus. It is learnt that the result of his samples is awaited but he is being kept in isolation at the hospital. By this, this suspect could be the third probable case of mpox , if he tests positive.

BVH Coordinator Dr Muhammad Rizwan confirmed to Dawn that the relative of the first mpox virus patient had been admitted and moved to an isolation ward at the hospital, subject to the waiting for his samples’ results from Lahore. He said that the blood samples of the patient were sent to the Lahore laboratory on Friday and the results were expected by Monday.

Meanwhile, Dawn learnt that the BVH staff nurse who had earlier tested positive and was in home isolation had now been shifted back to the isolation ward at the hospital.

Regarding the nurse, Dr Rizwan also confirmed her return to BVH’s isolation ward from her house where she had been living with her husband. Dr Rizwan claimed that she was now cured and recovered and as such was demanding her exit from BVH isolation. But, he added, she would be kept in isolation at BVH to complete the required period of 21 days of isolation, even after her complete recovery.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026

Alex Mason Hill, a white American, embraced Islam at the hands of a Pakistani Muslim scholar in the United States and decided to relocate to Pakistan in 2021 along with his wife.

Hill was given Islamic name, Abdul Qadir Sani Jillani. He has four children, two of whom – Ashik Ahmad Jillani, 4, and Ali Nur Jillani, 2, – were born in Lahore.

The American family living in Pakistan on valid visas, subsequently, decided to seek Pakistani citizenship for their children under Section 4 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, which grants citizenship by birth to persons born in Pakistan.

The applications were submitted to the authorities concerned in May 2025, but the family claims no decision was made despite the passage of several months.

After receiving no response, they served legal notices through their counsel and eventually approached the high court.

On Oct 6, 2025, the LHC directed the Punjab home secretary to decide the matter in accordance with law within six weeks.

However, Hill alleges that the matter remained unresolved as the home department referred the case to the federal interior ministry, which subsequently returned it.

The case was then forwarded to the Lahore district administration, resulting in further delays.

Claiming that more than a year passed without a final decision, the children’s father has now filed a contempt of court petition in the LHC, contending that the earlier directions have not been implemented.

He seeks contempt proceedings against the authorities for the alleged violation of the order.

During a recent hearing, the court issued notices to the Punjab home secretary, deputy commissioner Lahore and others on the contempt petition and sought their replies.

Advocate Umer Ijaz Gilani, the counsel for the petitioner, said the American family’s decision to settle in Pakistan and seek citizenship for their Pakistan-born children presented a positive image of the country.

He said, “In a world where the enemies of Islam and Pakistan systematically painted us in a negative light, this story is nothing short of a miracle.”

However, he said, the Punjab bureaucracy has been trying its best to convert this miracle into a debacle.

He urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take direct notice of the situation. He said the story of the American family should be celebrated as it represents an opportunity for advocating Pakistan’s national pride, but the insolent bureaucracy is bent on wasting it.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026