Lahore ranks second globally as air pollution persists across Punjab

Lahore ranked second among the world's most polluted major cities on IQAir's live air quality tracker on Monday, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 199, as pollution remained a concern across Punjab ahead of the peak winter smog season. The city's position and pollution reading fluctuated during the day. IQAir's Lahore city page recorded an AQI of 139 at 3pm on October 26, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) identified as the main pollutant at 51 micrograms per cubic metre. The reading placed Lahore in the unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups category on the US AQI scale. The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency's monitoring data also showed considerable variation in air quality across the province. Pakpattan recorded an AQI of 210, followed by Multan at 204 and Sargodha at 195. Vehari registered 178, Kot Addu 176, Dera Ghazi Khan 165 and Khushab 160. PUNJAB AQI UPDATE 26 OCTOBER Average AQI: 144 (Moderate) Highest : D.G. Khan 213 Lowest: Talla Ganag 96 Lahore: 178 PM2.5 remains dominant. Check local AQI: https://t.co/wfP4JGWQ7g#EPAPunjab #PunjabAQI pic.twitter.com/L1QTpH6TVL — Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab (@EPAPunjab) October 26, 2026 Read: Lahore tops global pollution ranking Mandi Bahauddin recorded an AQI of 159, Sahiwal 158, Jhelum 157 and Attock 156. Lahore's reading stood at 151, placing it 18th among 31 cities in the provincial ranking, while Nankana Sahib recorded the lowest reading at 35. The figures highlight the uneven distribution of pollution across Punjab, with some districts recording substantially higher readings than the provincial capital. An AQI of 151 falls into the unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups category on the US AQI scale, while readings above 200 indicate very unhealthy air. Weather conditions are also relevant as the province enters the winter smog period. The Pakistan Meteorological Department's forecast issued on Monday predicted dry weather across most districts of Punjab on Tuesday, with cold conditions expected in the morning and at night in hilly areas. 🌤️ Weather Update: Dry weather is expected in most parts of Pakistan. However, partly cloudy weather is likely in the northern areas, with cold weather is expected during night hours.#PakistanWeather #PMD #WeatherUpdate #coldweather #dryweather pic.twitter.com/8VwX2M5LzW — Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) October 26, 2026 Lahore's maximum temperature was forecast to range between 29°C and 31°C on Tuesday, with a similar range expected on Wednesday. The forecast did not indicate rain over the provincial capital in the period covered. Read More: Lahore faces the return of toxic smog The absence of forecast rainfall means there is no immediate indication of rain-related relief for Lahore, although actual pollution levels will continue to depend on changing atmospheric conditions and emissions. Dry weather alone does not establish how the AQI would change. As temperatures decline, air quality remains a concern for residents, particularly children, older people and those with respiratory or heart conditions. Health experts advise people to reduce outdoor exertion when pollution levels are elevated and to limit the entry of polluted outdoor air into indoor spaces.

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LHC moved for probe into killing of man accused of running over Multan teenager

An application was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday seeking a transparent investigation into the alleged killing of the primary suspect in the Multan Waseem Abbas case in a police encounter. The Judicial Activism Panel filed the application and also questioned the legal status and authority of the Crime Control Department (CCD). The petition maintained that every citizen was entitled to a fair trial under the Constitution and called for an impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Tauqeer’s death. Read: Man accused of running over Multan teenager killed in CCD encounter It also sought the suspension of the police personnel allegedly involved in the encounter pending completion of the investigation. LHCBA to seek cybercrime case against CM Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) announced plans to approach the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to register a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over her alleged remarks accusing a judge of accepting a bribe. LHCBA President Irfan Hayat Bajwa announced the decision at an emergency press conference, saying an application seeking registration of a case against the chief minister would be submitted to the NCCIA soon. He condemned the alleged accusation that a judge had received Rs20 million in bribes, describing it as deplorable. The association said it would pursue legal action under the cybercrime law.

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Punjab govt to pursue alleged gang-rape case after Azerbaijani victim changes stance

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said on Friday that the provincial government would pursue the case involving the alleged gang rape of an Azerbaijani woman despite a video statement circulating on social media in which the victim said she had forgiven the suspect and did not want to pursue the case. The minister’s statement came after a video of the victim, Diana, who was allegedly raped in Lahore earlier this year, circulated on social media in which she said her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) had already been recorded before a judicial magistrate. A video of the victim, apparently recorded on Oct 9, surfaced in which she could be seen saying that a suspect had neither assaulted her nor taken her mobile phone and belongings. “I gave my earlier statement under pressure, and I do not want to pursue this case,” she said, requesting that the case be closed. Later, in another video, Diana reiterated her statement, giving a clean chit to the suspect. She said she wanted to appear before the court to record her statement but was told that her life was in danger. She further claimed that she had been forcibly sent out of Pakistan and was not allowed to express her view. She also said she wanted to forgive the other suspects and did not want to pursue the matter any further. Speaking to a private television programme, Aaj Shahzaib Khanzada Kay Sath, Bukhari said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was particularly concerned about rape cases and would not allow anyone to relax until all the suspects were arrested and due process was followed. Read: Azeri woman tells court she was 'threatened, sexually assaulted and pushed out of car' Asked whether the Punjab government would pursue the case since the state could also pursue rape cases, she replied in the affirmative, saying the chief minister had categorically asked her to convey that she believed the state should be the complainant in cases involving crimes against women and children. “The chief minister, as chief executive, stands with every victim and with the poor and vulnerable. Until and unless these powerful people are made an example of, such crimes cannot be eliminated,” she said. Bukhari said the chief minister was prepared to approach the chief justice of Pakistan and the chief justice of the Lahore High Court with the information available to her. “Whether it is a speedy trial, improving the laws or whatever is needed, she is ready to work on that,” she said, adding that CM Maryam would not allow “this hooliganism and culture of bullying” against women, children or vulnerable sections of society in Punjab. The minister said the woman, the victim in the case, had, for one reason or another, changed her position, and the possibility of money being involved had also arisen. However, she said the state would pursue the case because a co-suspect had already recorded a statement saying all the suspects were involved with him. “Even if they retract this statement, it is not possible for them to get away,” she said, adding that the government would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. Maryam alleges bribe offer Earlier today, CM Maryam alleged that the family of a suspect in the case had offered Rs15 million to Rs20m to the victim to withdraw her allegations, while the judge who granted bail to the suspect had also allegedly been bribed. “It was revealed that the accused’s wealthy family allegedly offered Rs15m to Rs20m to the victim in exchange for withdrawing her allegations, despite her statement already having been recorded under Section 164,” Maryam said in a post on X. In a recent rape case, it was revealed that the accused’s wealthy family allegedly offered 1.5–2 crore to the victim in exchange for withdrawing her allegations, despite her statement already having been recorded under Section 164. It was further alleged that the judge who… — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 23, 2026 She further alleged that the judge who granted bail to the accused had also been bribed. “If these allegations are true, they raise deeply disturbing questions about the integrity of the justice system and the vulnerability of rape survivors to financial pressure and the misuse of power,” she said. Maryam said she would continue to keep a close eye on such cases to ensure that “no rapist or perpetrator escapes justice simply because he has money, influence, or connections”. “Justice must never be for sale, and no one should be above the law,” she said. Police warn against influencing probe As the statements surfaced, Lahore police warned against attempts to influence the investigation into the alleged gang rape through videos circulating on social media, saying the woman’s statement under Section 164 of the CrPC had already been recorded before a judicial magistrate. Lahore Deputy Inspector General (Investigation) Syed Zeeshan Raza said the woman had named three suspects in her judicial statement and that two arrested suspects had also acknowledged the alleged involvement of the third suspect. He said the video statement appeared to be an attempt to influence the investigation, adding that the third suspect would be included in the investigation and the case would be completed on merit. Also Read: Azeri woman in alleged Lahore gang-rape case returns home under police escort The case was registered at Defence C Police Station in September after the woman alleged that three men had sexually assaulted her at an apartment in a private housing society near Raiwind during the night between Sept 25 and 26. According to the first information report, the woman had arrived in Lahore on a business trip and was allegedly taken to a cafe by two women, where three men joined them. She alleged that she was subsequently taken to an apartment, given an intoxicating drink and sexually assaulted. The suspects allegedly left her near the airport and took her mobile phones and other belongings. On Sept 28, the woman recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate at the Cantonment Courts. Police subsequently identified the suspects and pursued the investigation, with several people arrested in connection with the case. The latest developments have also raised questions about the primary suspect’s legal status. A sessions court had extended his interim pre-arrest bail until Oct 27, but police subsequently arrested him outside the court premises. His counsel reportedly challenged the arrest, maintaining that it had taken place despite the extension of bail. The conflicting accounts are likely to remain central to the investigation.

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Lahore permits kite-flying from March 12-14 for Basant 2027

The Lahore district administration on Friday allowed kite-flying across the district, except in designated prohibited areas, from March 12 to 14, 2027, as part of Basant celebrations. The Lahore deputy commissioner issued a formal notification outlining the dates, conditions and safety measures governing the manufacture, sale and use of kites and strings. Under the notification, the manufacture of kites and strings would be permitted from September 5, 2026, to March 14, 2027. Read: Punjab reschedules Lahore Basant to March The purchase, transportation and storage of kite-flying materials would be allowed from February 1, 2027, while their sale would be permitted from February 10 to March 14. With compliments from the Directorate General of Public Relations, Government of the Punjab, Lahore Ph. 99201390 Tauseef Sabih Gondal HANDOUT Punjab Sets Strict Rooftop Safety Rules for Safe Basant in Lahore on March 12–14, 2027 Lahore, October 23, 2026: An important meeting… pic.twitter.com/IyYjLcXSb3 — Home Department Punjab (@homedptpunjab) October 23, 2026 Digital registration had been made mandatory for kite and string manufacturers, traders and shopkeepers. Only registered shopkeepers would be allowed to sell kite-flying materials, and registered manufacturers and sellers would be required to maintain complete records of their stock and sales. The notification sets a maximum length of 35 inches and a width of four-and-a-half githas for kites. The dimensions of guddas have been fixed at 34 inches in length and one-and-a-half tawas in width. The manufacture and use of dangerous strings, metal wires, nylon strings and strings coated with sharp abrasive material had been prohibited. Manufacturers have been directed to use only materials specifically permitted under the notification. Compliance with safety measures, including the installation of safety rods on motorcycles, has also been made mandatory. The district administration and police have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the prescribed safety conditions during Basant.

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Punjab govt rejects allegations of CM-ordered CCD encounters after Multan incident suspect's death

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Wednesday rejected the criticism surrounding the alleged police encounter in which a man accused of killing a 15-year-old boy was himself killed, categorically denying that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had ordered the Punjab Crime Control Department (CCD) to carry out encounters and asserting that the provincial government stood with the oppressed, not the oppressors. The suspect, Tauqeer Nazir, had allegedly chased Waseem Abbas in his car after a dispute over work and run him over in a private housing society in Multan on Monday. He was arrested and handed over to police on a four-day physical remand by a judicial magistrate the following day. Earlier today, police said the suspect fled custody and was then killed by his accomplices when a police party tried to re-arrest him. Hours before the incident, the prime suspect in the case involving the death by suicide of former International Islamic University Islamabad student Laiba Ejaz also died after being wounded by gunfire allegedly by his accomplices during an attack on a police team in Islamabad. The developments were met with criticism, with calls for justice through the legal route and the courts. Read: HRCP calls for independent probe into Waseem Abbas case, expresses concern over alleged extrajudicial killing of prime suspect In an interview on local television programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath about the killing of Multan incident's primary suspect, the minister was asked about hundreds of alleged extrajudicial killings by the CCD, in which the main suspect was reportedly killed while accomplices escaped, rejecting the suggestion that this pattern occurred in every case. She said that even when a suspect was killed, the remaining suspects were subsequently traced, arrested and brought before the police. “When a suspect is killed, the investigation slows down a little. When suspects flee, it takes some time to trace them. But this does not mean that this happens in every incident,” she said. Asked whether the chief minister had directly ordered the CCD to carry out encounters against such suspects, the minister categorically denied it. “Why would the chief minister order an encounter? It is not as if she has foreknowledge of such incidents,” she said. “The state has a responsibility to stand with the oppressed. You may consider this a mistake on the part of the state or an allegation against it; you may call it whatever you like, but the Punjab government does not stand with the oppressor. It stands with the oppressed,” she said. She added that there was no backdoor for the powerful in the province to evade the law or avoid facing legal proceedings. Also Read: Man accused of running over Multan teenager killed in CCD encounter Bokhari said an investigation had revealed that the Multan incident suspect was short-tempered and ill-mannered and had treated Abbas harshly. She said the boy had tried to flee three times but was caught each time. She said the suspect’s actions demonstrated his mindset, alleging that he chased the teenager and killed him while the latter was attempting to escape through a gate. The minister added that the brutality was such that the victim’s face had become unrecognisable. Bokhari further alleged that Nazir was a violent person who did not treat his own children properly and subjected them to violence as well. The minister acknowledged that he had no previous criminal record and that, given the evidence against him, including CCTV footage, a court could have sentenced him. However, she said, he chose to flee rather than face trial. “These are criminal-minded people. He could have been punished by a court, but if someone tries to escape from the court, or his accomplices help him flee, what can the police do?” she said. Read: Primary suspect in Laiba Ejaz suicide case dies after being shot by accomplices: police When asked about a post on X by PML-N MPA and Punjab government official Hina Pervez Butt that was later deleted, Bokhari questioned the seriousness of the former’s statements. “I do not want to talk about her, but she has posted such things before, perhaps out of a lack of seriousness. She has also made statements that created problems for her and caused embarrassment for the government,” she said. Earlier in the day, Hina had shared screenshots of a television report about the Multan encounter on X, drawing criticism for her supportive remarks. “This is Maryam Nawaz sahiba’s government; justice is served immediately here,” she wrote in a post that was later deleted amid criticism over its perceived endorsement of an extrajudicial killing under the provincial government’s watch. Bokhari said cases involving organised crime were referred to the CCD rather than the regular police to ensure more effective investigation and prosecution and to meet all legal requirements for delivering justice. She said the CCD had arrested hundreds, possibly thousands, of criminals, adding that public discussion should also focus on those who had been prosecuted and punished rather than only on the few hundred suspects who had allegedly tried to flee. The minister reiterated that the chief minister had not ordered any encounter, adding that the government stood with the oppressed rather than the oppressors. On judicial reforms, Bokhari said Pakistan was among the few countries with a large number of judicial laws, but the key issue was their implementation. She added that the chief minister was also working to revamp the prosecution system and that considerable progress had been made in this regard. Allegations of extrajudicial killings and increasingly unlawful conduct by Punjab’s CCD have long been a source of concern for human rights organisations, which have repeatedly raised the issue. According to figures released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in June, the organisation had documented 808 police ‘encounters’ since the CCD was established in April 2025, in which at least 1,100 suspects were killed. Earlier today, it expressed concern over Abbas's killing and the subsequent death of the primary suspect in an alleged police encounter, calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the case. The commission said extrajudicial killings violated the right to due process and deprived victims and their families of the opportunity to establish the truth and seek justice. It added that the perception that such killings were an acceptable means of controlling crime suggested that vengeance without accountability was being prioritised over justice. The HRCP called for an independent and transparent investigation into the case and urged the authorities to bring an end to extrajudicial killings in all forms.

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Child protection bureau takes 16 children into protective custody following Multan incident

Punjab's Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) on Wednesday took 16 minor children residing at an orphanage in Multan into protective custody and shifted them to the bureau’s Multan centre following a recent incident in the city. The orphanage’s application for registration had also been rejected. On the directives of CPWB Chairperson Sarah Ahmed, a bureau team visited the orphanage and transferred the children to ensure their safety and proper care. According to Sarah, the orphanage was already registered with the Punjab Charity Commission. The bureau had written to the commission to review the orphanage’s registration and take necessary action in accordance with the law. Read: Suspect sent on 4-day physical remand after running over 15-year-old employee in Multan The bureau had also written to the relevant authorities, requesting police action against the orphanage. Reaffirming its commitment to child protection, the bureau said it would ensure oversight by relevant institutions and compliance with standard operating procedures. It had also released a list of registered shelter homes. Sarah said the bureau would maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards violence and abuse against women and children, adding that no compromise would be made on their protection and safety.

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Pindi cracks down on Leh dumping

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has constituted a task force, with help from the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) Force, to prevent dumping of construction materials and solid waste into Nullah Leh. The agency has also launched action to remove encroachments, goods-transport parking areas, and building-material depots along both banks of the stormwater drain. WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said the task force would continuously monitor Nullah Leh and take action against those found dumping waste or construction materials into it. Offenders would face arrest and the registration of first information reports (FIRs), while tractor-trolleys used for dumping would be seized. Action would also be taken against the owners of buildings whose construction materials were dumped in the drain. He said a goods transport depot behind Ganj Mandi Police Station had already been removed and that encroachments, material depots and transport stands along the drain would no longer be tolerated. The water body has also decided to plant six-to-seven-foot-tall trees along the banks of Nullah Leh through the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) to help reduce environmental pollution. The initiative aims to prevent further obstruction of the drain, whose depth has reportedly been diminishing rapidly because of the continued dumping of construction debris and solid waste despite an existing ban. Cleanliness drive launched The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has launched a cleanliness and public awareness campaign, scheduled to run from October 20 to November 5, covering all 10 wards. An awareness walk was held from the RCB office, led by Additional Cantonment Executive Officer Tayyaba Naseer, Assistant Secretary Imran Habib and Horticulture Officer Atiqa Nadeem. Under the campaign, special sanitation operations are being conducted to clean streets and drains, remove rubbish and raise public awareness about maintaining a clean environment. Residents, students, traders and social organisations have been urged to support the initiative. During the first phase, on October 20 and 21, a cleanliness operation is under way in Ward No 1, covering Habib Colony, Rahim Town, Allahabad, Zahid Baig Road, Hafizabad and Sultanabad. The work includes street sweeping, drain clearance, rubbish collection and the removal of grass and weeds. Trolleys, excavators and other machinery have been deployed to transport collected waste to designated dumping points. The campaign involves the sanitation, horticulture, enforcement, building control, water supply, engineering, food and dengue control branches. Measures are also being taken to prevent the illegal dumping of waste and construction debris, maintain green spaces, enforce hygiene standards at food outlets and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites. A complaints cell has been established at the Cantonment Board office to address residents' grievances. Citizens can register sanitation-related complaints by calling 051-9274422. Cantonment Executive Officer Aamir Rashid has directed the relevant departments to ensure the effective continuation of cleanliness measures and called for public cooperation to make Rawalpindi Cantonment cleaner and greener.

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Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens to stay open late

The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has decided to keep the historic Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens open to visitors at night, with both sites set to remain open from 7pm to 11pm under a night tourism initiative. The authority has also fixed ticket prices for night visits to Lahore Fort. The entry fee for local visitors will be Rs1,000, while children aged three to 10 will be charged Rs500. Foreign tourists will have to pay Rs2,000. During night visits, tourists will be able to explore several historic sites within Lahore Fort, including Hazuri Bagh, Sheesh Mahal, Pechowala, Barood Khana and the selfie point. Diwan-e-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam and the Royal Kitchen will also be open to visitors. The initiative aims to make Lahore's historic heritage more accessible and provide residents and foreign tourists with an opportunity to explore the city's Mughal-era landmarks after sunset.

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Punjab Police did not arrest journalist Iqrarul Hassan: Azma Bokhari

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said on Monday that Punjab Police had not arrested journalist Iqrarul Hassan, adding that investigations into the matter were underway and his family would be informed as soon as verified information about his whereabouts became available. In a statement posted on X, Bokhari said the police had not taken Hassan into custody and that the matter was being investigated. پنجاب پولیس نے اقرار الحسن کو گرفتار نہیں کیا،اس معاملے کی تحقیقات کی جا رہی ہیں، ان کے بارے میں جیسے ہی کوئی مصدقہ اطلاعات موصول ہوں گی ان کے اہل خانہ کو آگاہ کر دیا جائے گا۔ — Azma Zahid Bokhari (@AzmaBokhariPMLN) October 12, 2026 Earlier, journalist Iqrarul Hassan’s wife, Farah Iqrar, told The Express Tribune that a group of unidentified individuals posing as officials of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had allegedly taken him away from their residence in Lahore’s Defence C area. According to Farah, between five and seven people, including women, arrived at the house late on Sunday night, during the intervening hours of Sunday and Monday, and demanded that Hassan come outside. She alleged that the individuals threatened to break down the door if he was not handed over. They subsequently entered the house, forcibly took the journalist from a room and took him away. Farah said she contacted the relevant agency’s office to inquire about her husband’s whereabouts but received no response. She added that an application regarding Hassan’s alleged abduction was submitted to the Defence C police station at around 6am, after which the police issued a diary number. She further said she later contacted the relevant authorities to register a computerised first information report online but was told that the network was down. Farah appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take notice of the incident and ensure her husband’s recovery. She said Hassan had served the country through his journalistic work and exposed various mafias.     یہ پڑی ہے پیپلز پارٹی کی “جمہوریت”۔۔۔ افسوس صد افسوس۔ تاریخ نواز شریف اور زرداری کو کبھی معاف نہیں کرے گی۔ https://t.co/UwF31aX67f — Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) October 11, 2026 Hours before the reported incident, Hassan had posted a message on X criticising the Pakistan Peoples Party and referring to Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari.

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New authority to settle disputes faster

The Punjab government has established the Punjab Alternative Dispute Resolution Authority (ADRA) under an ordinance to expedite the settlement of disputes outside courts, enabling the public, government departments and other parties to resolve their differences through mutual consultation at reduced cost and within a shorter timeframe. The establishment of the authority is aimed at reducing the burden of pending cases on the judicial system and providing an alternative mechanism for resolving disputes without lengthy legal proceedings. Under the new arrangement, the Punjab chief minister will serve as the chairperson of the authority, while a director general and experts from various fields will be appointed as members. The chairperson will make these appointments, and their terms may also be extended. The authority will include retired judges of the high courts, the Supreme Court and subordinate judiciary, former government officials, and specialists in criminal and civil law, taxation, corporate affairs and other relevant fields. The forum will consider disputes between the government and the public, among private individuals, and between corporate entities. It will facilitate the resolution of disputes through mutual consultation, helping the parties avoid protracted litigation and reduce the time and expense involved in legal proceedings. The authority will also be empowered to issue licences to experts from different fields to enable them to participate in the dispute resolution process. Settlements reached through the forum will be formally notified by the authority. The initiative is intended to provide an efficient, accessible and cost-effective mechanism for settling disputes outside the conventional court system while easing the pressure on courts dealing with a heavy backlog of cases.

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Amnesty International says Punjab anti-terror law raises concern on 'right to fair trial'

Amnesty International said on Friday that the Punjab Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2026, raised "serious" concerns about the "right to a fair trial", further noting that the amendment allowed for "secret trials" that could result in grave human rights violations. On August 31, the Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2026 amid protests and a walkout by opposition lawmakers. In a public statement, Amnesty International noted that the amendment was a "glaring attack on the right to fair trial in Pakistan". Pakistan: The Anti-Terrorism (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2026, raises serious concerns about the right to a fair trial. In a new public statement, Amnesty International examines the amendment against Pakistan’s obligations under international human rights law and highlights how… — Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) October 9, 2026 The statement added that the amendment created a mechanism for trials shrouded in "complete secrecy", exceeding permissible exceptions to the "right to a fair trial", which includes a public trial, under international human rights law, further adding that it deepened concerns regarding "past misuse" of anti-terrorism laws that had resulted in grave human rights violations. Read: LHC seeks arguments on anti-terror bill's legality The statement also noted that the process and criteria for designating a trial as a “special security case” were highly vague and lacked transparency. "The text of section 21AAA(5)(b) suggests that the designated authority has full discretion to decide whether a case or a class of cases require extraordinary protection measures and that the chief justice is bound by this decision. Neither the amendment nor the original act offers a definition of what constitutes extraordinary protection," it added. Amnesty further stated that the amendment allowed a level of secrecy with enormous potential for miscarriage of justice. "The amendment is applicable to Punjab province, which is Pakistan’s most populous province consisting of 127,333,305 people (50.9% of the total population)37, and if this act is allowed to be implemented it could lead to a knock-on effect in other provinces who could pass similar legislation." Background of law The amendment inserted a new Section 21AAA into the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, creating a “special security case” mechanism for cases in which participants are considered to require extraordinary protection. Read More: Punjab Assembly passes controversial anti-terror law A designated authority — an officer of at least BS-20 whose identity would itself remain confidential — can declare a case or a class of cases a special security case. At the authority’s request, the LHC chief justice can assign the case to an Anti-Terrorism Court judge. The amendment also said that the identities of judges, public prosecutors, defence counsel, police officers, witnesses and other persons involved in such proceedings “shall not be disclosed”. Judicial orders will use official titles instead of judges’ names, and witnesses would be identified by codes issued by the designated authority. The proceedings could be held at secure premises or conducted through video links, including from prisons. The amendment also allows the government to adopt other security measures it considers appropriate.

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Property sale NOC linked to sanitation fee payment

The Punjab government has made payment of the sanitation fee mandatory for obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) required for the sale of property. The distribution of the first sanitation bills across the province is under way. Under the new condition, an NOC will not be issued for property transactions unless the sanitation fee has been paid. The move has reportedly affected property transactions as the government prepares to complete the distribution of around five million bills this month. The new requirement comes after the government began billing urban property owners under the Suthra Punjab programme this month. The excise, taxation and narcotics control department has been assigned the responsibility for billing and collecting the sanitation fee from around five million residential and commercial properties in urban areas. Under the mechanism, two bills will be issued during a six-month period towards the annual sanitation fee liability. Property owners will have 60 days from receipt of a bill to make payment, with late payments subject to penalties. The government expects to collect around Rs40 billion annually through the sanitation fee. Data integration between the excise department and Suthra Punjab programme has been completed, allowing sanitation fee records to be linked with property data. The integration has also resulted in the NOC condition being introduced before completion of the province-wide bill distribution. Previously, payment of property tax was required before the NOC could be issued. The requirement has been extended to include payment of the sanitation fee. The development has raised concerns for property owners whose sanitation fee bills have yet to be delivered. The government had approved monthly sanitation charges ranging from Rs300 for residential properties measuring up to five marla to Rs5,000 for over 40 marla. Commercial properties are subject to charges ranging from Rs500 to Rs3,000 depending on their size. The excise department is collecting the sanitation fee alongside property tax. Inspectors in the relevant excise circles have been tasked with delivering the bills to property owners.

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Lahore's air quality takes a hit

The city's air quality has deteriorated to unhealthy levels as authorities move to tighten vehicle inspections and crack down on smoke emission ahead of the annual smog season. Lahore's average Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday evening stood at 155, placing the city in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category, according to live data from the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency's monitoring network. The readings showed significant variation across the city. Safari Park recorded the highest AQI at 172, followed by Shahdara at 168, Egerton Road 162, DHA Phase 6 at 160 and Wagah Border 159. GT Road recorded 158, Barki Road 157 and Kahna Nau 152, while Multan Road stood at 149 and Punjab University 132. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was a major component of the pollution readings, with concentrations reaching 103.9 microgrammes per cubic metre at Safari Park and 95.6 at Shahdara. The deterioration comes as Lahore enters the period when air pollution typically intensifies, with vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, brick-kiln smoke, crop-residue burning and construction dust among the sources contributing to poor air quality. Lahore was among the world's most polluted major cities in the AQI ranking for Wednesday, with a reading of 156 placing it fifth behind Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kolkata and Delhi. The rankings are based on live readings and can change significantly within hours depending on weather conditions, emissions and other factors. IQAir's live ranking placed Lahore among the world's 10 most polluted major cities. Against this backdrop, the Punjab Provincial Transport Authority decided to begin a crackdown from October 15 on private vehicles without fitness certificates. The province has around 2.3 million registered private vehicles, while 20 Provincial Vehicle Inspection and Certification System centres have been designated for fitness certification. Of these, 14 are in Lahore, two in Faisalabad and one each in Sargodha, Multan, Sadiqabad and Rahim Yar Khan. The authority has issued fresh instructions to all centres to remain operational round the clock, seven days a week, in order to cope with the expected demand before enforcement begins. The centres have been directed to maintain stocks of inspection stickers. Failure to comply with the instructions will be considered a breach of licensing conditions.

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Proclaimed offender held through Interpol

Factory Area police arrested a proclaimed offender (PO) in a murder case after bringing him back from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. According to a spokesperson, the accused, Parwaiz, had allegedly killed a citizen within the jurisdiction of Factory Area police station and later fled abroad. He had been declared a proclaimed offender in a case registered under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The police, with the assistance of Interpol, arrested the accused and brought him back from Saudi Arabia. He was sent to jail for investigation. Meanwhile, Sargodha police busted a four-member gang of robbers. Valuables worth Rs19.35 million were recovered from the suspects.

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Woman shoots son before turning gun on herself

A 42-year-old woman allegedly shot and killed her seven-year-old son before taking her own life at Ghung Road in Sheikhupura, with police saying financial hardship and depression may have contributed to the incident. Her six-year-old daughter, Taiba Imran, also sustained a gunshot wound and was initially taken to the District Headquarters Hospital. The deceased were identified as Shazia Imran and her seven-year-old son, Ahsan Imran. Their bodies were shifted to the DHQ Hospital for medico-legal formalities before being handed over to the family. City A Division SHO Syed Qamar Abbas told reporters that Shazia had been married to labourer Imran, a wagon driver in Gujrat, for about eight years. He said she had reportedly been suffering from depression and had experienced several episodes in recent months despite receiving treatment. According to the SHO, the family lived in a small house, with Shazia's brother residing on the upper floor. He said the woman generally kept the house locked. The SHO said a fruit vendor had arrived in the street when Ahsan and Taiba asked their mother for money to buy fruit. Police believe the incident followed an episode in which Shazia allegedly became distressed over the family's financial circumstances. He said the woman allegedly assaulted the children before opening fire and then taking her own life. Police recovered a pistol from the house. The SHO said preliminary findings indicated that the weapon was not licensed.

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Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee gives nods to Christian Marriage Bill 2026

The Punjab Assembly's Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minorities Affairs on Wednesday unanimously approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026, proposing to repeal the century-old Christian Marriage Act 1872 and introduce a modern legal framework governing marriages among the Christian community. The bill was earlier presented in the Punjab Assembly on April 27, but drew widespread criticism from Christian religious leaders and legal experts, who argued that wider reforms covering divorce, annulment, inheritance, child custody, and separation were also needed, along with proper consultation with the Church during the drafting process. The meeting, chaired by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Raheela Khadim Hussain, evaluated the bill moved by MPA Philebos Christopher. Christopher told the committee that the proposed legislation was meant to consolidate and modernise the existing legal framework for Christian marriages, strengthen protection of consent and ensure greater legal clarity in matters relating to matrimonial law. He said a key proposal in the bill was to fix the minimum marriageable age at 18 years for both men and women in the Christian community. Read: Christian marriage bill faces opposition According to the MPA, the minimum age for a Christian marriage is 16 years for a boy and 13 years for a girl under the existing law. “The proposed law would also require both parties to a Christian marriage to identify as Christians,” he highlighted during the meeting. As per details outlined by the minority lawmaker, the bill proposes a formal procedure for marriage, including written notice before the marriage and a public announcement of the intended marriage. It further seeks to make the registration of Christian marriages with the Union Council and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) mandatory. He lamented that registration of Christian marriages with the Union Council and NADRA was not possible under the existing law. Under the proposed legislation that is now up for approval of the Punjab Assembly, marriages would be allowed to take place in all churches registered with the government of Punjab, according to Christian rites and procedures. It also proposes authorising religiously educated pastors of government-registered churches to solemnise Christian marriages. “Designated pastors or marriage registrars appointed by the government would also be empowered to conduct marriages,” Christopher explained further. “A Christian marriage would have to be solemnised in the presence of at least two witnesses, while a formal record of marriages would be maintained through marriage registers and prescribed forms.” He also emphasised that unlike the existing legal framework, the proposed law would impose no restriction on the day or time for holding a marriage ceremony.

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Rare dolphin rescued from Chenab River

A rare river dolphin was caught in a fishing net in the Chenab River but was safely rescued and released back into the water by fishermen. The incident was recorded on a mobile phone by a passer-by, and the video of the rescue later went viral on social media. According to sources, fishermen were fishing as usual when the dolphin became entangled in their net. After noticing the animal, they carefully removed it from the net and released it back into the river. Sources said the dolphin weighed more than four maunds and was around six feet long. The video shows fishermen freeing the dolphin from the net before releasing it into the river. Experts said river dolphins were rare aquatic animals and that their hunting was prohibited. The fishermen's decision to release the dolphin rather than harm or retain it was widely appreciated. They called for more effective awareness and monitoring measures by the relevant authorities to protect rare aquatic species in the country's rivers.

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NA-168 stays with Channar family

PML-N candidate Malik Munir Iqbal Channar won the NA-168 Bahawalpur by-election on Sunday, securing 77,688 votes against 41,260 polled by his rival, Wali Dad Cheema. Polling continued uninterrupted from 8am to 5pm, with slow turnout, while the election remained largely peaceful apart from a few isolated incidents. The seat had fallen vacant following the death of PML-N MNA Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar. His son, Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, contested the by-election as the PML-N candidate, while Wali Dad Cheema, son of former federal minister and MNA Tariq Bashir Cheema, was his main rival. Channar secured 77,688 votes, while Cheema received 41,260 votes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, saying his victory showed public's confidence in the PML-N, a PM Office statement issued by the PM Office said. The premier recalled that Malik Munir Iqbal Channar's father, Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, always demonstrated his loyalty with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif besides rendering valuable services to the party. "Today, his son's victory is reflective of the same continuity of that loyalty and public service," the premier said. He lauded the people of Bahawalpur for electing their representative by participating enthusiastically in the democratic process. He also extended felicitations to Malik Munir Iqbal Channar's brother, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar. A day earlier, the Punjab Home Department requested the federal interior ministry that troops of army and Rangers (Punjab) be deployed in the constituency for smooth, peaceful and secure conduct of the by-election. Leading up to the by-poll, three persons were injured on Sept 12 in an armed clash at Baqirpur in connection with the election campaign of Cheema, the son of former PML-Q federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema.

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FIA takes action against 76 delinquent employees

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Islamabad Zone has taken departmental action against 76 employees over alleged misuse of authority, negligence in the performance of duties, indiscipline and other charges, dismissing 10 employees from service and demoting eight others. The decisions were taken during an orderly room presided over by FIA Islamabad Zone Director Shehzad Nadeem Bokhari, where the employees concerned were given a full opportunity for personal hearing and to present their respective positions. According to FIA officials, matters relating to departmental discipline, negligence in professional responsibilities, irresponsible conduct and public complaints were reviewed during the proceedings. Following an examination of the available record, evidence and other relevant material, action was taken against 76 employees under the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020. The 10 employees dismissed from service were Sub-Inspector Hassan Ali, Assistant Sub-Inspector Mubashir Kazmi; Upper Division Clerk Muhammad Soban; Head Constables Tahir Mahmood and Melon Masih and Muhammad Bilal; and Constables Tahir Safir, Muhammad Ahmed Raza, Aqib Mahmood and Tahir Mahmood. The eight employees demoted included Muhammad Niaz Mir, from ASI to Head Constable; Muhammad Waseem Iqbal, from ASI to HC; Shiraz Manzoor, from Upper Division Clerk to Lower Division Clerk; Rizwan Ali Khan, Masood Ahmed, Mudassar Ali, Almas Ilyas and Qasim Mahmood, from HC to Constable. Various other departmental penalties were imposed on the remaining 58 employees. These included withholding of increments for three years in 19 cases, two years in 27 cases and one year in five cases. A reduction of three stages in the pay scale was ordered in one case, while reprimands were issued in six cases.

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Nine major road projects on hold

Amid a severe economic and financial crisis and major cuts in development funds, nine mega projects for upgrading major roads in Rawalpindi, including the alternative to the city's main artery Murree Road, Rawal Road, have been deferred and placed in the red zone until Dec 31, 2027. The projects include upgrading, carpeting and widening of roads as well as local infrastructure schemes. Their estimated costs are likely to increase by 100 per cent. The projects have also been deleted from the Annual Development Programme. The development department has temporarily halted nine major road rehabilitation and reconstruction projects due to the unavailability of funds. These include the Khayaban-i-Sir Syed Road project, involving rehabilitation of a 1.6-kilometre road at a cost of Rs213 million; the 1.5-kilometre Bokra Road project costing Rs226 million; and the 1.74-kilometre Fifth Road project costing Rs138 million. The Rawal Road upgrade project, covering a two-kilometre stretch from Ali Nawaz Intersection to Murree Road, was also deferred at an estimated cost of Rs241 million. The Chandni Chowk to Commercial Market Road project, covering 0.8 kilometres, was estimated to cost Rs115 million, while the 1.2-kilometre Railway Workshop Road project was estimated at Rs247 million. Projects for China Market to Gordon College Road and Satellite Town 4-B Road were also dropped due to lack of funds. In addition, projects for upgrading healthcare facilities and hospitals, providing new facilities at medical centres and hospitals and expanding buildings have also been temporarily placed in the red zone due to budget constraints.

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