تازہ ترین

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.

A low-level flood has been recorded in the Ravi River near Kamalia after water levels increased at the Mil Fatyana point. Authorities have stepped up monitoring and emergency preparations as floodwater continues to move downstream. According to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Irrigation, around 50,000 cusecs of water is flowing through the Mil Fatyana section of the Ravi River. Officials are closely monitoring the river to assess any further rise in water levels and to ensure timely action if conditions worsen. The district administration has established flood relief camps in several vulnerable areas. The camps have been set up in Mil Fatyana, Kot Pathana, Adda Kalaira, Mauza Tara, Haveli Mai Safuran, Kot Karam Shah and Dedi. These facilities are intended to provide temporary shelter, food and emergency assistance to residents if evacuations become necessary. As part of efforts to improve disaster preparedness, Punjab has launched drone-based flood monitoring for the first time. The technology is being used to monitor river conditions, identify vulnerable locations and issue early warnings before floodwaters reach populated areas. Officials believe the system will help improve response times and reduce the impact of flooding. The rising water has already affected nearby agricultural land. Standing crops in Mil Fatyana, Khan Da Chak, Jhalar Sigla, Shahabal Shah, Basti Peepal Wala and Mauza Darsana have been submerged, raising concerns about crop losses and the financial impact on local farmers. The Irrigation Department has urged people living along the river belt to remain alert and cooperate with local authorities. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer locations as a precaution against any further increase in water levels. Officials said surveillance of the Ravi River will continue around the clock. Rescue teams and local administration remain on standby to respond quickly if the flood situation intensifies. Authorities have also appealed to the public to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary movement near the river until conditions become safe.

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting rain across several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from July 24 to July 27, warning of possible landslides, strong winds and lightning. According to the PDMA, districts including Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra and Abbottabad are at risk of landslides due to the expected rainfall. Authorities have advised residents in mountainous areas to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period. The authority also warned that strong winds and lightning could damage standing crops and weak structures. Farmers have been urged to take precautionary measures to protect their crops, while residents have been advised to secure vulnerable buildings and outdoor installations. PDMA said electricity poles, signboards and solar panels may also be damaged by strong winds. Citizens have been urged to stay away from unstable structures and avoid taking shelter under trees or near electricity infrastructure during thunderstorms. The authority has directed all district administrations to implement precautionary measures in vulnerable areas before the expected weather system arrives. Emergency response teams have also been asked to remain on alert to deal with any weather-related incidents. In addition, district authorities have been instructed to maintain continuous monitoring of rivers, streams and seasonal waterways to ensure timely action in case of rising water levels or flash flooding. PDMA has advised the public to follow official weather updates, exercise caution during the rainy spell and immediately report any emergency situation to the relevant authorities.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Member of the National Assembly Iqbal Afridi has claimed that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan told him during their last meeting that members of the party were not following his instructions. According to a video statement shared on social media by PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan, Afridi said he met Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, where the former premier allegedly expressed frustration over the party’s internal affairs. Afridi claimed that Imran Khan told him, “Iqbal, the party is not listening to me. I say this with my hand on the Holy Quran.” The PTI lawmaker said he responded by expressing his loyalty to the party founder. Afridi claimed he told Imran Khan that anyone betraying him deserved the strongest condemnation, while referring to a political slogan from the past. Afridi further said that he never had another meeting with Imran Khan after that conversation. He claimed that if he had met him again and been told the names of those allegedly disobeying party instructions, the situation would have been different. In the video statement, Afridi also made controversial remarks, saying that if he is allowed another meeting and Imran Khan identifies individuals who are not following his directives, he would not spare them. He used threatening language while making the statement. The remarks have drawn attention on social media, although there has been no official response from PTI leadership or other party figures regarding Afridi’s claims. Imran Khan has also not publicly commented on the statements attributed to him.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted post-arrest bail to Muhammad Tahir, a suspect in the Libya boat tragedy case, ruling that investigations into international human trafficking cases must be supported by credible and legally admissible evidence rather than mere suspicion. Justice Amjad Rafiq issued a detailed 10-page written verdict explaining the reasons for granting bail. The court observed that allegations of human trafficking, being an international crime, require thorough and professional investigations based on concrete evidence. The court noted that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should have obtained evidence from abroad and sought legal assistance from relevant international authorities during the investigation. It said cooperation with foreign agencies is essential in cases involving cross-border human trafficking. According to the written order, investigators should have collected digital and documentary evidence, including WhatsApp chats, call records, bank records, travel documents and other electronic data. The court stressed that such evidence is necessary to establish the active role of an accused in an alleged trafficking network. The judgment further stated that the standard of investigation must be strong enough to legally prove an accused person’s involvement rather than relying on assumptions or incomplete evidence. The court also highlighted the need for reforms to effectively combat human trafficking. It said stronger legislation, improved investigative methods and better law enforcement mechanisms are essential to tackle organised trafficking networks. The LHC ruled that the transfer of money into a person’s bank account alone cannot be treated as proof of involvement in human trafficking. It added that suspicion, speculation or banking transactions by themselves are insufficient to establish criminal liability in such cases. The court ordered the release of Muhammad Tahir on post-arrest bail against surety bonds of Rs500,000, subject to the conditions set by the court. The case will continue in accordance with the law while further investigation proceeds.