Dr. Lubna Zaheer meets Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb

  Lahore: Pakistan’s cultural capital has earned international recognition after being ranked among the world’s safest major cities in the 2026 Numbeo Crime and Safety Index. The latest report shows that Lahore recorded one of the lowest crime index scores among several globally recognized metropolitan areas, reflecting continued improvements in public safety and law enforcement. According to the 2026 rankings, Lahore outperformed a number of major international cities in terms of safety. The city ranked ahead of Karachi, New Delhi, Paris, London, Washington, New York, and Mexico City, highlighting its growing reputation as a comparatively secure urban centre. The results suggest that residents and visitors perceive Lahore as offering a safer environment than many other large cities included in the global survey. The report also indicates measurable progress over the past year. Lahore’s crime index declined from 36.8 in mid-2025 to 36.2 in mid-2026, while its safety index improved from 63.2 to 63.8during the same period. A lower crime index reflects reduced concerns about criminal activity, while a higher safety index indicates increased public confidence in personal security and the overall law-and-order situation. The improvement in these indicators demonstrates a positive trend for the city, suggesting that ongoing efforts to enhance public safety have produced encouraging results. Although no major city is completely free of crime, Lahore’s steady progress has strengthened its position among the safer urban centres included in the international rankings. Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Muhammad Faisal Kamran welcomed the report, saying the improved ranking reflects the Lahore Police’s continued commitment to maintaining peace and protecting citizens. According to the senior police official, the department has implemented a range of security measures designed to reduce crime, improve emergency response, and strengthen law enforcement across the provincial capital. He noted that increased police patrols, intelligence-based operations, the use of surveillance technology, and closer coordination between law enforcement agencies have all contributed to improving the city’s security environment. Authorities have also focused on enhancing community policing initiatives, encouraging greater cooperation between residents and police to help prevent criminal activities. Officials believe that these efforts have not only improved public confidence but have also made Lahore a more attractive destination for business, tourism, and investment. A safer urban environment is considered an important factor in promoting economic growth, encouraging commercial activity, and improving the overall quality of life for residents. The Numbeo Crime and Safety Index is widely referenced for comparing perceptions of crime and safety across cities around the world. The rankings are based on user-contributed data and reflect public perceptions of crime levels, personal safety during the day and at night, concerns about violent and property crimes, and confidence in local law enforcement. While authorities welcomed the latest ranking, they emphasized that efforts to improve security will continue. Police officials said they remain committed to further reducing crime through modern policing strategies, technological innovation, and stronger public engagement. Lahore’s improved standing in the 2026 Numbeo Crime and Safety Index represents a significant achievement for the city. The latest figures highlight continued progress in public safety and reinforce Lahore’s growing reputation as one of the safer major cities in the world, while authorities pledge to build on these gains in the years ahead.

Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court has issued a detailed written judgment in a land dispute that has remained unresolved for nearly five decades. The ruling addresses a long-standing legal conflict over land ownership and tenancy rights, overturning previous decisions and restoring the legal status of the land as it existed before 1996. The court declared the 2008 judgment of the Lahore High Court null and void. It also set aside the orders issued by the Federal Land Commissioner in 1996, ruling that those decisions were not legally sustainable. The verdict marks a significant development in one of the country’s oldest land-related legal disputes. Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan authored the 25-page judgment, outlining the legal reasoning behind the court’s decision. The ruling carefully reviewed the history of the case, the relevant land laws, and the constitutional principles governing property rights and administrative authority. According to the judgment, the legal status of the disputed land has been restored to what it was before the Federal Land Commissioner’s 1996 orders. The court held that the rights of tenant farmers, commonly referred to as muzareen, must remain protected in accordance with the Land Regulations of 1972. These regulations were introduced to safeguard the lawful rights of tenants and regulate land that had been taken into government custody. The court emphasized that once land disputes have been finally decided through due legal process, they cannot be reopened or reconsidered without a valid legal basis. The judgment stated that the principle of finality in judicial decisions is essential for maintaining certainty and stability in the legal system. The ruling explained that under the 1972 Land Regulations, various pieces of land had been taken into government possession. Decisions regarding those acquisitions had already attained final legal status after being decided by the competent authorities and courts. However, in 1996, approximately twenty years after those decisions had become final, the Federal Land Commissioner declared the earlier government acquisition orders invalid. The Constitutional Court held that the commissioner lacked the legal authority to reopen and overturn matters that had already reached finality under the law. The judgment also noted that the Lahore High Court, in its 2008 decision, had upheld the Federal Land Commissioner’s orders. After reviewing the legal record, the Constitutional Court concluded that the High Court’s decision was based on an incorrect interpretation of the law and therefore could not be allowed to stand. By restoring the pre-1996 legal position, the court reaffirmed the protection of tenant farmers’ rights under the 1972 regulations while reinforcing the importance of respecting final judicial and administrative decisions. Legal experts believe the ruling could influence the resolution of similar land disputes involving historical claims and government-acquired property. The case was heard by the Federal Constitutional Court following the enactment of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, under which the matter came within the jurisdiction of the newly established court. The judgment is expected to serve as an important legal precedent for future constitutional and land-related cases, particularly those involving administrative powers, property rights, and the principle that finalized legal disputes should not be reopened without lawful justification.