Press-Release

LAHORE – Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab Dr. Ehsan Bhutta has said that the great Sufi poet, scholar, thinker and luminous icon of Punjabi language and literature, Hazrat Syed Waris Shah (RA), through his timeless masterpiece Heer Waris Shah, gifted Punjabi literature not merely with an immortal work of art but with a universal message of love, humanity, tolerance, morality, spirituality, peace, compassion and the highest human values—a message that continues to resonate with extraordinary relevance and power even today. He expressed these views while inaugurating the newly established Waris Shah Heritage and Cultural Gallery at historic Jandiala Sher Khan, describing it as a landmark initiative to preserve, celebrate and transmit the magnificent literary, cultural and intellectual legacy of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) to future generations. Deputy Commissioner Rana Adil Tasawwur, Director Projects Rafiq Noor Wattoo, Zonal Administrator Rana Ehsan and other officers of the Auqaf Department were also present on the occasion. Dr. Bhutta said that the establishment of the gallery has given the sacred place associated with Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and Jandiala Sher Khan a distinctive new literary and cultural identity, while creating an important platform for showcasing the rich history, culture and heritage of Sheikhupura to visitors from Pakistan and abroad. He said the gallery presents, in a modern and engaging manner, the life, personality, intellectual vision, literary contributions and enduring masterpiece Heer of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA), while important characters from Heer Waris Shah, historical and cultural scenes, rare artefacts and traditional objects have also been thoughtfully incorporated to bring the era and social fabric of Punjab vividly to life. Special documentaries on Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and the history and culture of Sheikhupura will be screened through LCD displays, while traditional objects including the tawa, ghara, weighing scale, bow and other artefacts offer visitors an authentic glimpse into Punjab’s centuries-old social life, traditions and cultural heritage. He added that two specially produced documentaries are part of the gallery experience: the first explores the history, culture and historic heritage of Sheikhupura, while the second focuses on the life, personality, intellectual and literary services of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and the diverse dimensions of his masterpiece Heer. Dr. Bhutta said concerted efforts would be made to carry the thought, poetry and message of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) to younger generations through research, education, literary activities, cultural programmes, documentaries, heritage galleries and modern communication platforms, stressing that preserving history, keeping culture alive and highlighting the legacy of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) is, in essence, a powerful means of reconnecting young people with their language, literature, history and civilisational identity. He further said that the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) would bring 50 tourists from Qaddafi Stadium Lahore to Jandiala Sher Khan through its recreational bus service, particularly enabling young people to develop a deeper connection with their great Sufi poet, Punjabi language, history and cultural identity. The Waris Shah Heritage and Cultural Gallery, he added, would emerge as a distinctive intellectual, literary and tourism destination for tourists, students, researchers and all those with an interest in literature and culture. Dr. Bhutta said highlighting historic Jandiala Sher Khan and its associated heritage as a centre of Hazrat Waris Shah’s literary and cultural legacy remains among the priorities of the Auqaf Department, and the establishment of the gallery represents a practical expression of this vision. He said Hazrat Waris Shah (RA), who was associated with Jandiala Sher Khan, District Sheikhupura, devoted his life to knowledge, literature, spiritual thought and the promotion of human values; born in 1722 and passing away in 1798, he portrayed Punjab’s civilisation, culture, rural society, human emotions, social attitudes and spiritual consciousness with such depth and comprehensiveness that Heer Waris Shah transcended the boundaries of a romantic narrative and became an invaluable literary, social, cultural and intellectual document of Punjab. Through the profound symbolism of human love leading towards divine love, and through his penetrating observations on human weaknesses, social inequalities, moral values, peace, tolerance and the significance of human relationships, Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) occupies an unparalleled position among the great classical poets of Punjabi literature, while Heer also powerfully reflects themes of respect for women, human dignity and social justice. The Secretary Auqaf said that the poetry of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) presents love as a fundamental force of human existence and humanity as the foundation of social relationships, making his message of peace, affection, tolerance, pluralism, brotherhood and respect for human dignity exceptionally relevant in the contemporary world. He said Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) stands among the great custodians of Punjab’s Sufi, literary and intellectual tradition who used the power of thought and art to promote love, peace, tolerance, fraternity and the sanctity of human relationships, adding that preserving his historic and literary legacy is not merely a religious obligation but also a profound literary, historical, cultural and national responsibility. Dr. Bhutta said the shrine of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and its associated historic heritage constitute a precious part of Punjab’s identity; therefore, the Auqaf Department is paying special attention to the preservation of its sanctity, historic character and spiritual ambience, alongside improvements in beautification, repair, cleanliness, illumination, security and basic facilities for visitors. During his recent visit to the shrine, he also offered Fateha and prayers and reviewed the ongoing development and improvement works. He said historic manuscripts, records, artefacts and other cultural material associated with Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) represent priceless national, historical and literary assets, making initiatives such as heritage galleries and libraries vital for their preservation, documentation and transmission to future generations. The Government of Punjab and the Auqaf Department, he added, are taking effective measures to preserve and develop the shrines of the province’s Sufi saints and spiritual luminaries not only as places of religious devotion but also as significant centres of Punjab’s history, literature and cultural heritage. Dr. Ehsan Bhutta concluded that the timeless message of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) continues to remind humanity that love, compassion, tolerance, harmony, peace and respect for human dignity

LAHORE: DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran visited the Lahore Press Club and attended the “Meet the Press” programme as the chief guest. President Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari, Senior Vice President Salman Qureshi, General Secretary Afzal Talib, Joint Secretary Imran Sheikh, Finance Secretary Salik Nawaz, Governing Body members Syed Sajjad Kazmi, Sarmad Farrukh Khawaja, Asad Mahmood, Syed Badr Saeed and Kamran Khan, along with office-bearers of the Crime Reporters Association and senior journalists, attended the event. Welcoming the distinguished guest, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari said that the police and journalists had a close working relationship and both professions were jointly striving to eliminate crime from society. He appreciated the tireless efforts and policies of DIG Operations Faisal Kamran, saying that they had contributed to a decline in the crime rate in Lahore. Speaking to the media, DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said that in June 2023, as many as 9,149 incidents used to be reported in a single month, whereas the number had now come down to around 900 calls. He said tackling crime in any major city was a major challenge, adding that metropolitan cities such as New York also faced numerous challenges in this regard. He said that the Safe City, CCD and Lahore Police had worked jointly to control crime. Safe City’s assistance was sought in tracing reported incidents, he added. He said that Lahore had witnessed a decline in its crime index compared with 380 cities around the world. Faisal Kamran said that in 2026, major events including Basant, Ramazan, Sehri, Eid shopping and other public events, as well as Eid-ul-Azha and Muharram-ul-Haram, were held peacefully. Lahore Police continued to perform its duties during all these events, he added. The DIG Operations said that, besides these measures, the accountability system within the police had also been strengthened. “Wherever there is corruption, I will take strict action,” he said. He said that in 2023, Rs3.6 million had been provided for the welfare of police personnel, whereas Rs60 million had so far been provided for their welfare. He further stated that during the past two and a half years, he had personally heard the grievances of 55,050 people at open courts, adding that 70 to 80 per cent of the complainants had expressed satisfaction with the resolution of their complaints. The DIG Operations said that an MoU had also been signed between Lahore Police and the legal fraternity under which free legal assistance was being provided to deserving and underprivileged people. He added that Lahore Police was also taking strict action against usury and illegal money-lending. At the conclusion of the programme, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari and representatives of the Crime Reporters Association presented commemorative shields and bouquets to DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran.  

LAHORE – Chairman Lahore Board of Education, Dr. Engineer Badr-ul-Islam has said that the Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE Lahore) has taken a major and revolutionary step to bring the education system in line with modern requirements and provide prompt solutions to the problems faced by students. In accordance with the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz and the directions of Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and Chairman Task Force Committee for Boards Muzammil Mahmood, BISE Lahore has rapidly digitized its administrative and examination systems. Announcing this major development, Chairman Lahore Board Engineer Dr. Badr-ul-Islam said that result cards have been completely digitized and the entire record of examination results has been shifted to a modern digital system. The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure transparency in examinations, prevent the issuance of fake degrees and certificates and save students from traditional paperwork and repeated visits to the Board offices. Modern QR codes have been added to all digital result cards. By scanning the QR code with any device, a student’s complete academic record and examination results can be instantly verified online. The result cards of all private students will be uploaded to the Board’s official website from where students will be able to directly download their digital result cards. All regular students will be able to obtain their result cards through the portals of their respective schools or colleges and educational institutions. The Inter Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) has been formally informed about the new digital system, e-verification and QR code mechanism so that students do not face any delay or difficulty during admissions to higher education institutions or the attestation of their academic documents. Chairman Lahore Board Engineer Dr. Badr-ul-Islam further said that the Lahore Board of Education is committed to making all its operations paperless and fully digital. Following the digitization of result cards, other services including online NOCs, migration certificates and online fee payments are also being further simplified and automated. He said the objective is to ensure that students can access all necessary facilities through modern cyber and IT services from the convenience of their homes.

LAHORE: Chief Organiser Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) Punjab Ammar Ali Jan and Information Secretary TTAP Punjab Shayan Bashir have condemned the indiscriminate police violence unleashed on peaceful demonstrators outside Aiwan-e-Adl on Wednesday, saying that three years after his incarceration Imran Khan remains the most popular leader in the country and a unifying symbol whose standing continues to terrify the illegitimate rulers of this province. They said the day marked the abandonment of even the pretence that Article 16 of the Constitution still stands in Punjab. Thousands of citizens, workers, lawyers and civil society members had assembled outside the courts when police baton-charged the gathering without provocation, striking women and children present at the site. PTI Lahore President Mian Akram Usman and MPA Sheikh Imtiaz were manhandled, their clothing torn in public view. More than fifty workers, along with sitting members of the Punjab Assembly, were taken into custody. “A government that will not answer an application on paper has chosen to answer it with lathis in the street,” Bashir said. “PTI Lahore applied in writing to the Lahore Deputy Commissioner for permission to assemble peacefully. The administration returned silence. Today it returned batons.” The protests were not confined to Lahore. Demonstrations were held in Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Kasur, Jhang, Kamalia in Toba Tek Singh and other districts across Punjab. The state’s own conduct is the measure of what it fears. Permission was refused across three provinces, a courthouse precinct was baton-charged and elected legislators were dragged into custody, all on account of a man who has been in a cell since 2023. Nobody deploys that against a spent force. Ammar Ali Jan said the beating was not aimed at one party alone. “When the state clubs women, children and elected representatives outside a courthouse, it is not policing a crowd, it is informing ordinary people that the Constitution was written for somebody else,” he said. “A right that survives only until the administration is irritated by it is not a right at all.” The warning had already been given. Amnesty International said on Tuesday that ahead of the anniversary gatherings the authorities must facilitate the right to peaceful protest and ensure there was no repeat of unlawful and arbitrary arrests. Punjab read that warning and did the opposite within twenty four hours. The violence reached beyond political workers. Aaj TV court reporter Natiq Rehan was assaulted by police while covering the rally and placed in a prisoners van, filmed and reported in the press. When the state beats the witness alongside the demonstrator, it has said plainly what it wants kept off the record. The leaders demanded the immediate release of every detained worker and legislator, registration of cases against the officers who ordered and carried out the operation, and a judicial inquiry into the conduct of the Lahore administration.