LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched a province-wide crackdown on the non-custom paid and unregistered vehicles plying on roads.

The government has also asked the Safe Cities Authority to assist in identifying non-custom paid and unregistered vehicles.

The directions were issued in a meeting called to discuss the operation against the illegal vehicles on Wednesday.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, was attended by the home secretary, Lahore commissioner, excise director-general and Lahore collector customs.

The chief secretary directed the formation of joint teams comprising police, excise, and customs officials to carry out the operation. In addition to routine road checks, he stressed that intelligence-based operations should be conducted. He further instructed that all non-customs paid and unregistered vehicles be seized.

Emphasising the connection between such vehicles and serious criminal activities, the chief secretary asserted that this crackdown was essential for ensuring public safety and curbing crime across the province.

It may also be mentioned that people had been complaining that they were added to WhatsApp groups, where people were selling non-customs paid items from mobiles to household items to vehicles at very low prices.

“They hoodwink innocent people. After receiving the first instalment of funds on different money transfer apps, they block the customers, leaving them to run from pillar to post without being able to recover their money,” a Lahorite said.

Pothohar farmers: A mega plan worth Rs10 billion for the prosperity of farmers and the development of agriculture in the Pothohar region will be submitted to the chief minister for approval.

This was stated by Agriculture & Livestock Minister Ashiq Kirmani while presiding over a review meeting on the Transformation Plan for Pothohar Region here on Wednesday.

Various proposals were discussed to promote agriculture and farmer welfare in the region.

He stated that the government intends to increase peanut cultivation to 300,000 acres and bring 2,000 acres of land under olive cultivation besides promoting ginger farming in the area.

He said that provision of quality seeds, establishment of modern agricultural research facilities and laboratories will be ensured to support agricultural development.

The government would provide all necessary resources for laser land leveling, installation of drip and irrigation systems.

To address water shortages, small dams, ponds, and wells will be constructed to increase water storage capacity in the region to 35,000 cubic feet.

The minister also directed the formulation of a strategy to cultivate 500 acres of organic vegetables in the area.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2025