Shoaib Malik spends quality time with son Izhaan in Dubai

The Faisalabad administration has announced a major initiative to improve public transport through digital technology and environmentally friendly solutions. The project includes a smart mobile application for public transport and a planned electric vehicle (EV) battery-swapping network. Officials say the initiative is aimed at making daily travel easier, safer and more efficient for thousands of commuters across the division. Commissioner Faisalabad and President of the Faisalabad Urban Transport Society (FUTS), Imran Hamid Sheikh, said the new Faisalabad Public Transport App will bring government and private transport services together on one digital platform. The system will cover all four districts of Faisalabad Division and allow passengers to access transport information from a single application. The mobile app will provide real-time tracking of public transport vehicles. Passengers will be able to see the live location of government buses, metro buses, electric buses and registered urban Hiace vehicles. The feature will help commuters know exactly when a vehicle is arriving, reducing long waiting times and making travel more convenient. Another important feature of the application is its smart route-planning system. Users will simply enter their destination, and the app will suggest the best travel route. It will also tell passengers which buses to board, where they need to change routes and the estimated arrival time of connecting services. Officials believe this feature will especially benefit students, office workers and first-time travellers who are unfamiliar with city routes. Authorities said the application has been developed for public convenience and will be available free of cost. Commuters will not have to pay any fee to use the service. However, transport operators will have to complete registration and comply with the required regulations before joining the digital platform. The administration also plans to introduce digital registration for public transport vehicles. The registration system will be linked with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), allowing authorities to maintain accurate transport records and improve monitoring of public transport services. Officials expect the registration process for transport operators to begin within the next 15 days to one month, followed by the official launch of the application. In addition to the digital transport platform, the administration is working on establishing an electric vehicle battery-swapping network. The proposed system will allow EV users to replace discharged batteries with fully charged ones in a short time instead of waiting for vehicles to recharge. Officials believe this will encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and support cleaner, more sustainable transportation in the city.

LAHORE: Authorities have arrested 28 suspects in Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan as part of a major crackdown on organised online fraud, exposing alleged schemes that relied on impersonation, fake investment opportunities and fabricated official identities to deceive citizens. The arrests were made during a province-wide operation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab, directed by Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim, officials said. Investigators also seized 24 mobile phones and a laptop, which are now being examined for evidence that could lead to other members of the alleged network. The investigation has revealed how fraudsters allegedly manipulated trust to convince victims to hand over large sums of money. Millions allegedly lost in Lahore scam In Lahore, 18 suspects were arrested in separate operations. Investigators said the suspects allegedly impersonated relatives, visa agents, government officials and personnel associated with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority. In one case, suspects allegedly posed as both a relative and a visa agent and persuaded a victim to transfer Rs25.86 million. The case has highlighted how scammers can combine apparently familiar identities with urgent requests to make their schemes appear legitimate. Rs54.66m trading fraud uncovered Three suspects were arrested in Faisalabad in connection with alleged online trading fraud and unauthorised access to a company email account. According to investigators, a victim was shown fabricated trading records, digital-wallet balances and purported profit statements to create the impression that substantial returns were being generated. After being persuaded to invest, the victim allegedly lost Rs54.66 million, investigators said. The case demonstrates the growing sophistication of investment scams, where criminals allegedly use manipulated digital information to make fraudulent platforms appear genuine. Multan arrests expose impersonation tactics In Multan, seven suspects were arrested for allegedly posing as relatives, bank employees and individuals claiming to be based in Britain. Officials said victims were approached with various demands, including payments supposedly required for prize money, customs clearance, taxes and visa renewals. Such tactics typically create a sense of urgency, leaving victims with little time to verify the identity of the caller or the authenticity of the demand. Digital evidence now under forensic examination NCCIA investigators are examining the seized devices through forensic analysis. Financial transactions, call records and digital communications are also being reviewed to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and identify other people who may be connected to it. The crackdown comes amid growing concern over online financial fraud in Pakistan. The NCCIA’s own statistics identify financial fraud as a major category of reported cybercrime. The latest arrests underscore a simple but increasingly important warning: an apparently familiar voice, official-looking message or promising investment opportunity may not be what it seems. Authorities are expected to continue the investigation as they trace the alleged network and follow the digital and financial trails left behind.