पंजाब

GUJRAT: A disturbing incident involving newborn twins abandoned in Gujrat has been reported from the Madina Syedan area within the jurisdiction of Sadar Gujrat Police Station. According to rescue officials, a newborn baby boy and girl were found after allegedly being abandoned inside a shopping bag. The infants were subsequently handed over to Child Protection Gujranwala for care and protection. Doctors who examined the newborn twins said that both babies were in good health. The children are now under the supervision of the relevant child protection authorities as further arrangements are being made for their care. Police have reportedly traced the woman believed to be the mother of the newborn twins. She is currently under police custody while receiving treatment at a hospital. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings against the woman, while investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to police sources, the initial investigation suggests that the woman’s husband had contracted another marriage. Police sources said the alleged abandonment of the twins may have been linked to the distress caused by the second marriage. The reported motive remains part of the preliminary investigation, and authorities are expected to gather further evidence before reaching a final conclusion about what led to the incident. The case has drawn attention to concerns surrounding the safety and protection of newborn children. Child protection authorities are currently responsible for the welfare of the two infants following their recovery. The newborn twins abandoned in Gujrat were reportedly found in a vulnerable situation, but rescue officials said both children were healthy when they were transferred to the child protection authorities. Police are continuing their investigation and are expected to determine the full circumstances of the case, including how and when the babies were abandoned and whether any other individuals were involved. The incident also highlights the importance of timely intervention by rescue services and child protection institutions in cases involving abandoned or vulnerable children. Further legal action against the woman will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation and the evidence collected by police. Authorities have not indicated that the investigation has concluded, and the reported reason for the abandonment should therefore be treated as an initial finding rather than an established fact.

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab has arrested four suspects during coordinated enforcement operations conducted in Lahore and Multan as part of its ongoing campaign against serious cybercrime. The cases involve the alleged trafficking of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), online harassment of a minor, cyber blackmail, and the unlawful sharing of intimate digital content. In the most significant operation, NCCIA investigators in Lahore arrested a suspect accused of possessing and distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material, including illegal content depicting the sexual abuse of children and animals. According to investigators, the material was allegedly circulated through online platforms for commercial purposes. Mobile devices and other electronic evidence were seized during the operation and have been sent for forensic examination. Investigators are working to identify additional victims, trace the origin of the material, and determine whether other individuals were involved. Child Sexual Abuse Material is regarded worldwide as one of the most serious forms of online criminal exploitation. The production, possession, distribution, or sale of such material is treated as a major criminal offence by law enforcement agencies across the globe. In a separate operation in Lahore, NCCIA officers arrested another suspect accused of using social media to harass and intimidate a minor. Investigators collected digital evidence that will form part of the continuing criminal investigation. In Multan, two additional suspects were taken into custody in separate investigations involving the alleged blackmail of female victims through private photographs and videos. Investigators allege that the suspects used WhatsApp and other online platforms to issue threats and unlawfully share sensitive digital content. Electronic devices and other evidentiary material were recovered during the operations, and forensic analysis is continuing. Director NCCIA Punjab Muhammad Ali Wasim said the agency will continue to pursue individuals involved in child exploitation, cyber extortion, online harassment, and related offences. He said crimes involving Child Sexual Abuse Material demand an immediate and uncompromising law enforcement response because of the serious harm they inflict on children. He also encouraged parents and members of the public to remain alert, supervise children’s online activity, and promptly report suspected cybercrime so that timely legal action can be taken.

At least three people lost their lives and three others were injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab as heavy monsoon showers triggered urban flooding, damaged homes, and disrupted daily life in several cities. Authorities have placed emergency services on high alert as the current spell of rain is expected to continue through August 5. According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), one man died and another person was injured after a house collapsed in Uch Sharif, Bahawalpur district. In a separate incident, two children drowned in Khushab during the ongoing monsoon rains. Two additional people sustained injuries in separate roof collapse incidents reported in Mandi Bahauddin and Lodhran. The PDMA also confirmed damage to at least one house in Bahawalpur. Officials clarified that nine other deaths reported on the same day were not directly linked to rain or flooding. These incidents included drownings in canals and rivers in Kot Addu, Narowal, and Attock, while four children tragically died of suffocation after becoming trapped inside a parked vehicle in Mianwali. PDMA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa directed deputy commissioners across Punjab to remain on high alert as heavy rainfall is forecast to continue. He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is personally monitoring the situation and has instructed district administrations, Rescue 1122, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), and other departments to remain fully prepared for emergencies. Lahore experienced several hours of intense rainfall, leaving many roads and residential areas submerged. Water accumulated up to one-and-a-half feet deep in areas including Township, Kacha Jail Road, Haider Road, and the Quaid-i-Azam Industrial Estate, causing severe traffic congestion and disrupting public movement. According to Wasa Lahore, the city received an average rainfall of 24.8 millimetres, with the highest rainfall recorded at the Wasa Head Office in Gulberg at 66.4mm. Significant rainfall was also reported in Shadipura, Mughalpura, Mannawan, Johar Town, Tajpura, and several other localities. Faisalabad recorded the highest rainfall in Punjab at 103mm, resulting in extensive urban flooding at multiple locations. Water levels reached up to 23 inches in some areas, prompting Wasa teams to continue dewatering operations throughout the day. Heavy rainfall also affected Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin, where roads were inundated and drainage operations remained underway. In contrast, Jhelum recorded only light rainfall, and officials reported that all waterlogging points had been cleared by the afternoon. Authorities have advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, stay away from electricity poles and damaged buildings, and keep children away from floodwater and fast-flowing canals as monsoon conditions persist across the province.

FAISALABAD: The Punjab Water and Sanitation Authority (PWASA) has stepped up its monsoon preparedness by deploying advanced machinery, completing large-scale desilting operations, and launching a modern command and control system aimed at improving flood management and emergency response across the province. Speaking to reporters, PWASA Director General Tayyab Fareed said the authority has cleared nearly 650,000 tonnes of solid waste while completing the cleaning of drains, sewer lines, and manholes before the peak monsoon season. He added that a state-of-the-art Central Command and Control Room equipped with 13 digital dashboards is now providing real-time monitoring of rainfall and drainage conditions across Punjab. Fareed said PWASA was established under the Punjab Water and Sanitation Act in June 2024, initially taking over the province’s five existing Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs). Since then, the Punjab government has expanded the network in phases, bringing the total number of district-level WASAs to 41. He noted that this year’s monsoon arrived nearly two weeks later than usual, with heavy rainfall recorded during the second half of July across central and northern Punjab, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Okara, and Nankana Sahib. According to the PWASA chief, a province-wide 45-day desilting campaign was completed ahead of the rainy season, with all activities digitally tracked to improve transparency and operational efficiency. To strengthen sanitation services, the Punjab government has invested heavily in new equipment. Machinery worth Rs6.5 billion has been procured for 15 major cities, while an additional Rs7.5 billion has been allocated to equip smaller WASAs established during the latest expansion phase. In total, around 950 machinery units, including dewatering pumps, cranes, tractor-trolleys, backhoe loaders, and other specialized equipment, are planned for deployment across Punjab. More than 300 units have already been delivered to field teams. Fareed said the central control room coordinates directly with field staff while working closely with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, Rescue 1122, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to ensure a faster and more effective response during heavy rainfall. He also highlighted several long-term infrastructure projects designed to improve water management. These include a proposed Rs55 billion wastewater treatment project in Lahore and another project of similar value that will treat water from the BRB Canal to provide a sustainable surface water supply, reducing dependence on groundwater. In addition, PWASA has constructed 18 underground rainwater storage tanks in Lahore and 10 more in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Okara, and Sahiwal. The tanks are currently being used to collect rainwater during the monsoon and are emptied after rainfall to prepare for future weather events, helping improve urban flood management across the province.

LAHORE: Punjab University has witnessed a significant increase in applications for its undergraduate programs, receiving more than 25,000 additional confirmed applications compared to last year, reflecting growing student confidence in the institution’s academic standards. According to a university spokesperson, the university received 147,909 applications for undergraduate admissions this year, of which 113,182 were finalized. In comparison, during the first phase of admissions in 2025, the university received 120,395 applications, with 87,831 successfully completed. Vice Chancellor Dr. Muhammad Ali said the record rise in applications demonstrates that Punjab University continues to be the preferred choice for students seeking quality higher education. He noted that the increasing number of applicants highlights the trust students and their families place in the university’s academic reputation. Dr. Ali said the university remains committed to providing students with the best possible opportunities to develop academically while enhancing their research, extracurricular, and professional skills. He emphasized that the institution aims to produce capable, responsible, and ethical graduates who can make meaningful contributions to society, industry, and the country’s development. In a first for the university, Punjab University has also introduced an AI-powered chatbot to assist applicants during the admission and entry test process, making information and guidance more accessible while improving the overall admissions experience.