No more files: Punjab govt offices go fully digital

The Punjab government has completely digitised all official paperwork across the Civil Secretariat and its various offices, marking the end of the traditional file system. A spokesperson for the Chief Secretary’s Office, Syed Imtiaz, said the transition is comprehensive: all paper documentation is now being processed digitally. Moving forward, every file and document will be uploaded onto the new e-Filing and Office Automation System (e-FOAS). The physical hard copy era is officially over; all traditional files have been collected from the Civil Secretariat and are being prepared for disposal. This aggressive push for digitalisation is central to the government’s good governance agenda, delivering multiple benefits. The elimination of paper-based processes will yield substantial savings, with over 80% of the government’s stationery budget set to be scrapped — a saving of millions of rupees annually. The e-FOAS will increase the speed of official work, replacing slow manual movement with instant digital transfers. The new system allows all files to be digitally tracked in real time, as comprehensive oversight ensures unprecedented accountability. A key feature of the e-FOAS is its built-in alert system. If a file is unnecessarily held up in any office, an immediate alert will be issued directly to the Chief Secretary’s Office, ensuring swift intervention to prevent delays and bottlenecks. This comprehensive digitalisation is a bold stride towards modern governance, designed to better serve the public and reinforce the government’s commitment to a more transparent and responsive administration.

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In call with JI chief, PM vows efforts to free Flotilla detainees

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan’s stance on Palestine is categorical and unwavering, adding that the government is also playing an 'active role' in ensuring the release of detained Pakistani citizens aboard the Global Freedom Flotilla. The premier made these remarks during a telephonic conversation with Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Friday. Both leaders exchanged views on the Middle East crisis, the situation in Kashmir, and the detention of Pakistani nationals by Israeli authorities. According to the PM's Office, Shehbaz underscored the importance of an immediate halt to hostilities in Gaza, calling for an end to what he termed the “ongoing massacre of innocent Palestinians.” “Pakistan’s stance on Palestine is categorical and unwavering. We have always raised our voice for our Palestinian brothers and sisters at every global forum, and will continue to do so,” he said. Also Read: Dar touts 20-point Gaza peace deal as 'only possible solution' to war Reiterating Pakistan’s long-held position, the premier emphasised support for a two-state solution, with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the Palestinian capital. He added that eight Muslim countries were making “active and concerted efforts” to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. “We are hopeful these efforts will soon bear fruit, bringing peace as well as the long-awaited dream of an independent Palestinian state,” he said. On the detention of Pakistanis aboard the Global Freedom Flotilla, including former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, the prime minister said the government was playing an “active role” in ensuring their release. Read More: Israel intercepts last Gaza flotilla boat, begins deportations “Pakistan does not recognise the Israeli state nor does it have diplomatic relations with it. However, we are in constant contact with friendly countries and international organisations to secure the safe return of our citizens detained by Israel,” he said, expressing confidence that the Pakistanis would be repatriated soon. The two leaders also discussed the situation in Kashmir, with the premier affirming the federal government's commitment to 'playing its full role' in ensuring peace in the region. Meanwhile, in a post on X, Rehman confirmed his conversation with the prime minister, saying he had urged the premier to “accelerate efforts” for the release and recovery of Mushtaq Ahmad Khan. He said the prime minister informed him that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had been assigned this responsibility. A short while ago, in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, I urged him to accelerate efforts for the release and recovery of Mushtaq Ahmad Khan. The Prime Minister said that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been assigned this responsibility. We made it clear… — Naeem ur Rehman (@NaeemRehmanEngr) October 3, 2025 Calling the flotilla attack and arrests 'strongly condemnable,' Hafiz Naeem stressed that the matter was of national importance and not limited to JI. The JI leader also said he had conveyed to the premier his party’s and the nation’s strong reservations over US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan. “Pakistan must remain firm on the demand for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Pakistan should not support any plan that ultimately strengthens Israel,” he stated. On Kashmir, Rehman stressed the need for the government to handle the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir with caution. “We reminded the Prime Minister that Kashmiris love Pakistan, and any irresponsible attitude by the administration could harm both Pakistan and the Kashmir cause, and providing an opportunity for the enemy to exploit,” he said. He urged the government to resolve the issue responsibly through dialogue, while ensuring that the views of a few individuals are not projected as representing the entire Kashmiri population.

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M-10 motorway study near completion

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs was informed on Thursday that the feasibility study for the M-10 Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway is in its final stages and is expected to be completed by December. The lower house panel was chaired by MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig. The officials told the committee that the project would cost over Rs68 billion and was seen as a long-term solution to Karachi's traffic congestion. Work is also underway on the technical feasibility of the Lyari Expressway, while procurement for the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway project has already been initiated, with construction expected to begin by June next year. During the briefing, National Highway Authority (NHA) officials said any project could only be included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) through the federal budget, adding that the budget-making process would begin in March. The committee sought a response from NHA officials on its recommendation to include the Lyari Elevated Freight Corridor (LEFC) in the PSDP. The NHA informed the committee that financing for the LEFC project was already being secured by another institution through the Korean Exim Bank, while the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) was also working on the same project. "Since the project was found feasible, we shifted our focus towards the Northern Bypass," the NHA officials said. Committee Chairman Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said they would take up the issue of LEFC project with KPT and report back. He noted that land acquisition for the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway remained a complicated issue since provincial governments were also involved. He said the committee would add a separate note on the matter. Separately, the committee was informed that repair works on the Mirpurkhas-Umerkot road had been completed, while approval for the Ranipur-Umerkot road project had also been granted. A committee member inquired about the timeline for its commencement.

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Part-time bikers: Employees juggle office work and delivery shifts in Rawalpindi

Unemployment, inflation, privatisation of government institutions, and skyrocketing utility bills have forced government and private sector employees to take up part-time work as motorcycle riders for app-based bike-hailing services and food delivery chains. Not only lower-grade employees but even staff up to scale-16 have started riding for Bykea and food delivery services after working hours, with the number of riders in Rawalpindi reaching 25,000. Women have also entered the field, catering exclusively to female passengers, while rising fares have pushed women passengers to increasingly use male bike-hailing services as well. As bike-hailing services offer lower fares—charging Rs200 for routes where rickshaws demand Rs400–500—traditional taxi, rickshaw, and Qingqi businesses have been badly affected. Some riders are now taking two passengers per trip, while police report an increase in snatching and robbery incidents involving criminals posing as riders. Riders say their daily part-time earnings range from Rs700 to Rs1,000, in addition to salaries. Rider leaders, including Farman Ali and Hishmat Ali, argued that genuine riders earn halal livelihoods, while criminals misuse the system by booking riders and robbing them or passengers. Fourth-grade government employee Faisal Siddiqui, who works part-time as a food delivery rider, said he earns Rs500–600 between 6 pm and 1 am, which helps cover household expenses. With the ongoing privatisation of schools and health units, experts predict the number of part-time riders will continue to rise.

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New cardiac centre in Murree offers residents lifesaving care close to home

Residents of Murree, suffering from heart ailments, will no longer need to travel to Rawalpindi for treatment, as a cardiac facility was inaugurated on Wednesday where cardiac surgeries and bypass procedures will soon be performed. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the Nawaz Sharif Cardiac Centre at the Mohammad Hussain Samli Sanatorium-cum-General Hospital in Murree. She also announced that cardiac surgeries and bypass procedures would commence at the facility in the near future. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the chief minister highlighted that a major redevelopment of Murree’s historic Mall Road is currently underway, involving a multi-billion-rupee investment. The project includes the development of a Biodiversity Park, Wildlife Park, Bansra Gali, PIA Park, and Karshee Park, all aimed at enhancing the region’s environmental and recreational offerings. She further disclosed plans for the imminent launch of the Glass Train/Automated Rail Transit (ART) system and the establishment of a 100-bed hospital in Kotli Sattian, as part of broader tourism and infrastructure development initiatives. Maryam announced that shuttle bus services would soon be operational between central Murree and the Samli Hospital, which had long suffered from neglect. Noting the lack of local cardiac care facilities, she remarked that patients with heart-related ailments were previously compelled to travel to Rawalpindi—a considerable hardship, particularly given the time-sensitive nature of such emergencies. “To bridge this critical gap, we have now ensured the availability of quality cardiac care within Murree,” she affirmed. The provincial chief executive praised the swift and efficient construction of the Nawaz Sharif Cardiac Centre, staffed with qualified doctors and trained personnel, and stocked with an ample supply of essential cardiac medicines. She drew attention to the contrast between the serenity enjoyed by tourists in Murree and the lack of basic medical services historically endured by local residents. “We promised the people of Murree that they would no longer need to leave their city for medical care — and we have delivered on that promise,” she said. Maryam announced that her government had now fully devolved key departments — including policing, traffic management, health, education, and tourism — to Murree’s local administration. She noted that an unprecedented number of roads had been constructed in Murree over the past eight months. In contrast, she strongly criticised previous administrations for allowing unchecked deforestation, illegal timber trade, and unregulated construction, which had resulted in the degradation of the area’s natural beauty. “Our government has taken firm action against unauthorised structures and will not permit land grabbers or profiteers to deface Murree’s landscape,” she vowed. She also announced the upcoming introduction of electric buses, offering free transport to students, women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, further enhancing accessibility and eco-friendly mobility in the region. Turning to health infrastructure elsewhere in Punjab, she highlighted the accelerated progress on the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore, and revealed that the Sahiwal Division, which previously lacked a single public cardiac hospital, now has a fully operational cardiology centre.

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New cardiac centre in Murree offers residents lifesaving care close to home

Residents of Murree, suffering from heart ailments, will no longer need to travel to Rawalpindi for treatment, as a cardiac facility was inaugurated on Wednesday where cardiac surgeries and bypass procedures will soon be performed. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the Nawaz Sharif Cardiac Centre at the Mohammad Hussain Samli Sanatorium-cum-General Hospital in Murree. She also announced that cardiac surgeries and bypass procedures would commence at the facility in the near future. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the chief minister highlighted that a major redevelopment of Murree’s historic Mall Road is currently underway, involving a multi-billion-rupee investment. The project includes the development of a Biodiversity Park, Wildlife Park, Bansra Gali, PIA Park, and Karshee Park, all aimed at enhancing the region’s environmental and recreational offerings. She further disclosed plans for the imminent launch of the Glass Train/Automated Rail Transit (ART) system and the establishment of a 100-bed hospital in Kotli Sattian, as part of broader tourism and infrastructure development initiatives. Maryam announced that shuttle bus services would soon be operational between central Murree and the Samli Hospital, which had long suffered from neglect. Noting the lack of local cardiac care facilities, she remarked that patients with heart-related ailments were previously compelled to travel to Rawalpindi—a considerable hardship, particularly given the time-sensitive nature of such emergencies. “To bridge this critical gap, we have now ensured the availability of quality cardiac care within Murree,” she affirmed. The provincial chief executive praised the swift and efficient construction of the Nawaz Sharif Cardiac Centre, staffed with qualified doctors and trained personnel, and stocked with an ample supply of essential cardiac medicines. She drew attention to the contrast between the serenity enjoyed by tourists in Murree and the lack of basic medical services historically endured by local residents. “We promised the people of Murree that they would no longer need to leave their city for medical care — and we have delivered on that promise,” she said. Maryam announced that her government had now fully devolved key departments — including policing, traffic management, health, education, and tourism — to Murree’s local administration. She noted that an unprecedented number of roads had been constructed in Murree over the past eight months. In contrast, she strongly criticised previous administrations for allowing unchecked deforestation, illegal timber trade, and unregulated construction, which had resulted in the degradation of the area’s natural beauty. “Our government has taken firm action against unauthorised structures and will not permit land grabbers or profiteers to deface Murree’s landscape,” she vowed. She also announced the upcoming introduction of electric buses, offering free transport to students, women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, further enhancing accessibility and eco-friendly mobility in the region. Turning to health infrastructure elsewhere in Punjab, she highlighted the accelerated progress on the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore, and revealed that the Sahiwal Division, which previously lacked a single public cardiac hospital, now has a fully operational cardiology centre.

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PHC withdraws relief granted to PTI leaders in disqualification cases

The Peshawar High Court has withdrawn the interim relief granted to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders including Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Abdul Latif in their disqualification cases. The court declared that no fugitive can claim constitutional rights until they surrender before the competent courts. In a detailed 31-page verdict, authored by Justice Syed Arshad Ali and announced by a two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Faheem Wali, the court categorically held that individuals convicted by the trial courts cannot bypass the legal process and seek relief directly from the high court. The petitions had challenged the disqualification notifications issued against the three PTI leaders following their convictions by Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs). Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz were convicted on July 31 by the ATC in Faisalabad, while Abdul Latif was convicted in May by an ATC in Islamabad. During the hearings, the petitioners’ counsels, Barrister Gohar Khan, representing Ayub and Faraz, and Advocate Moazzam Butt, representing Latif, argued that their clients were not absconders, as they had appeared before the relevant forums in previous proceedings. They contended that under constitutional and international principles, their clients were entitled to fundamental rights, including the right to appeal. Read More: ECP disqualifies Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub Barrister Gohar further argued that depriving the petitioners of their constitutional protections amounted to denying citizens access to justice. He emphasised that the PTI leaders were present before the PHC and, therefore, could not be deemed fugitives in the strict sense of the law. On the other hand, Barrister Sajeel Swati insisted that the petitioners were fugitives as they had not surrendered to the trial courts after their convictions. He maintained that bypassing the appellate procedure and directly approaching the PHC made their petitions non-maintainable. The federal government’s representatives, Additional Attorney Generals Aamir Rehman and Sanaullah, echoed this stance, asserting that the petitions were not admissible unless the petitioners surrender. Citing both domestic and international jurisprudence, the court underlined that fugitives cannot be granted relief by superior courts. The court emphasised that constitutional courts cannot be reduced to forums for circumventing established judicial hierarchies. It ruled that until the petitioners surrender before the trial courts and file appeals through the prescribed procedure, their petitions before the PHC would remain ineffective. The bench consequently withdrew the interim stay orders issued on August 1, 6, and 12, and adjourned the matter indefinitely, granting the petitioners the option to revive their cases once they surrender and comply with due process. The ruling delivers a significant legal blow to PTI leadership, as three of its prominent figures remain disqualified. It also sets a noteworthy precedence, reaffirming that constitutional protections cannot be invoked as a shield by those deemed fugitives until they respect the judicial process. In August, Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified nine lawmakers affiliated with PTI, including Faraz and Ayub. Others disqualified include Sunni Ittehad Council head Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Zartaj Gul and Junaid Afzal Sahi. The ECP also disqualified Rai Hassan Nawaz, Rai Murtaza Iqbal, Rai Haider Ali and Ansar Iqbal. A notification issued by the commission confirmed their disqualification and declared their seats vacant. Separetely, an ATC in Faisalabad sentenced several top PTI leaders to up to 10 years in prison in cases linked to the May 9 incident, including Ayub, Faraz, Gul, Raza, and former MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, among 108 leaders found guilty out of 185 implicated, while 77 others were acquitted. May 9 riots The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the GHQ in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 others. In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalise pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.

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