A modern system of traffic challans has been introduced in Punjab, where challans will now be issued with proof.
The announcement by the Punjab Safe City Authority states that heavy fines will be imposed for traffic rule violations, and challans will include evidence of the infractions.
According to the announcement, Punjab has implemented artificial intelligence and a modern electronic traffic policing system similar to developed countries. The system includes the use of modern cameras to monitor every smoke-emitting vehicle.
The statement emphasises that under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the issuance of electronic challans for traffic and environmental law violations continues through Safe City cameras in Lahore. Monitoring of vehicle emissions, including motorcycles and auto-rickshaws, is ongoing using modern cameras.
The declaration further notes that, similar to practices in developed nations, photos and videos of vehicles emitting smoke are captured in Lahore, and these are included as evidence in electronic tickets.
Senior Minister Punjab Maryam Aurangzeb commented on the changing culture of traffic policing under the Chief Minister’s supervision, highlighting efforts to ensure environmental protection and enforcement of traffic laws through modern technology.
Maryam Aurangzeb added that a phased implementation of a modern electronic traffic policing system will extend to every city in Punjab. With citizen cooperation, Punjab aims to become an exemplary province with both smog-free air and modern policing capabilities.
After videos emerged of several individuals, allegedly Afghan nationals, vandalising the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt, Islamabad urged Germany to take immediate measures to investigate the security lapse and hold those responsible for it accountable to the law.
The incident happened on July 20, when a “gang of extremists” attacked the consulate and “endangered” the lives of the consular staff on the premises, says the statement from the Pakistani mission.
In one of the viral videos, it can be seen that protesters carrying placards gathered outside the consulate.
The videos show three men — one of whom is seen clutching an Afghan flag — climbing a flagpole to remove the Pakistani flag.
However, some reports also indicated the protesters pelted the consulate building with stones.
Protest outside consulate
German media outlet DW reported that Saturday’s demonstration was arranged to “highlight complaints against Pakistan’s military and intelligence services, which organisers accused of killing critics and political opponents”.
DW quoted police as saying that about 400 people carrying Afghanistan flags took part in the demonstration outside the consulate.
Netizens on X also speculated that the people who vandalised the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt belonged to the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement headed by Manzoor Pashteen.
However, Manzoor posted an official denial on X condemning the violence in Frankfurt. “Local authorities should take action against the perpetrator. Trained people are doing such acts on planning to create negative propaganda against people’s protests,” he asserted.
Pakistan’s reaction
The Foreign Office in Pakistan called out the German authorities for failing to protect the “sanctity and security of the premises of its consular mission” under the Vienna Conventions on Consular Relations, 1963.
“We are in contact with the German authorities to ensure such a situation doesn’t arise again and the miscreants face legal consequences,” the Pakistani embassy in Germany posted on its official X handle.
Information Minister Atta Tarar, in a press conference, revealed that NADRA is asked to analyse the footage of the incident in Frankfurt to ascertain whether any Pakistanis were involved.
Though the Foreign Office did not point to the nationality of the miscreants, some of them were draped in the tri-colour Afghanistan flag. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, however, lashed out at the Afghan nationals, saying Islamabad needed to rethink its hospitality towards Afghan citizens in the wake of this incident.
“There’s a limit to hospitality. They swore at us; they swore at Pakistan. They talk against the integrity of Pakistan. They carry out proper rallies [against Pakistan]. They burn our flags,” he told Geo News, claiming that Pakistan fought wars for Kabul. “I think Pakistan needs to rethink their hospitality,” he said.
Pakistan hosts over three million Afghan refugees and recently launched a deportation drive to expel those who were residing in the country without documents.
Earlier this month, the government extended the stay of registered Afghan refugees by one year.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved the budget for the Champions Trophy 2025 on the last day of its meeting in Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the ICC jointly prepared the budget for the tournament.
Chairman PCB Mohsin was present in Colombo for the meet.
Pakistan is hosting the event, scheduled for February and March 2025, in three cities.
PCB has also sent the schedule of Champions Trophy 2025 to the ICC for final approval. PCB has scheduled all of India’s matches for the tournament at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, but no official announcement has clarified whether India will visit Pakistan.
Mohsin Naqvi has already stated that the Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan. At the same time, the Board has vehemently denied all Indian claims that it will be held on a hybrid model.
The federal government has decided to withdraw a circular suspending the passports of asylum seekers abroad.
According to details, a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar discussed various issues related to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. The Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, DG Immigration and Passport, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting.
The participants were briefed about the timely issuance of passports to Pakistanis living abroad.
It was decided to immediately withdraw the circular suspending the passports of Pakistanis seeking asylum abroad.
The Deputy Prime Minister was informed by the concerned authorities that passports for overseas Pakistanis will be issued within 60 days.
Previously, on June 11, the Federal Ministry of Interior had decided not to issue passports to Pakistanis seeking asylum abroad.
Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Hafiz Naeemur Rahman on Sunday warned the government against starting a new military operation, saying it would push the country towards a blind war.
Rahman said that the establishment, rulers, and the bureaucracy should confess their failure and mend their ways.
The JI Chief pointed out the historical reasons for prevalence of terrorism in Pakistan, saying, “The country has always suffered the consequences of its love for the US.”
“The situation of peace in the country has worsened, and the country is passing through a paradox where nobody knows who stands with whom,” the JI chief remarked. He said the country’s sensitive air bases, logistic support, and intelligence network were handed over to the US.
“General Musharraf had said that the country would get dollars in return for the war. They got the dollars, but nothing was given to the people,” he added.
He said that the JI would stage a sit-in in Islamabad on July 26 for which all-out arrangements have been made.
An old video of controversial writer Khalil-Ur-Rehman has gone viral on social media after he was abducted and held for ransom by a woman.
In the video, he talks about equality, challenging women to abduct a man and assault him.
Qamar said, “I’ve never heard of a case where five girls together kidnapped a man. So, if you want to achieve equality, then do it and show us.” The host asked, “Alright, how about you kidnap someone?” Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar responded, “Kidnap me, then I’ll find out if you’re really achieving equality.”
Qamar has lodged an FIR stating that a woman named Amna contacted him, inviting him to her home late in the night to “discuss a drama project.” When he arrived, armed men assaulted him and held him for ransom.
Social media is abuzz with reactions to the news, and many could not resist taking a dig at Qamar’s earlier statement. Here are some of the funniest reactions:
The meteorological department has predicted rain in different cities today.
Rain may occur in some parts of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Gujarat, Faisalabad, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today, as per the weather department.
Battered with heat, Karachi is expected to receive rain this evening. Drizzling is expected in other areas of Sindh, such as Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Sanghar, Thatta, Badin, and Sjawal are also likely.
The Meteorological Department reported that the highest rainfall was recorded yesterday (Sunday)at Old Airport, around 20 mm, while 11 mm was recorded at Sarjani Town and 9.4 mm at Jinnah Terminal. Ten mm of rain was recorded on University Road, 7 mm on Shaara Faisal, 6.5 mm on Hassan Square, 2.5 mm on PAF Base Masrur, and 0.8 mm on North Karachi.
Rain is also likely to descend in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir today.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has predicted the fourth spell of monsoon to start in Punjab from today, while south Punjab is likely to experience cloudy skies from tomorrow.
Pakistan Tekken star Arslan Ash has won the Tekken 8 EVO 2024 title for the fifth time defeating compatriot Atif Butt in the grand finals in Las Vegas, USA.
Arslan won by 3-1 in the winner’s final after which Atif faced off against Japanese opponent Nobi in the loser’s final and defeated him by 3-0 to reach the grand finals.
Atif won the first game. After a tough fight, Arslan tied the score. The chance for a reset seemed to be slipping away. In Game 4, Atif switched to FENG (Game Character) and tied the score at 2-2.
In the final round, it seemed like Atif would win, but at the last second, Arslan landed a perfect hit, winning his fifth Evo Championship title.
Kareena Kapoor Khan recently shared insights into her marriage with fellow actor Saif Ali Khan in an interview with The Week. With a touch of humor, she mentioned that Saif sometimes takes her “for granted.”
Kareena talked about balancing her professional and personal life, highlighting the importance of family time. “It’s very tough being married to an actor,” she admitted. “Sometimes, he’s sleeping when I’ve left for work. Even though we live in the same house, we’re trying to make time for the kids. Two actors in the same house can be challenging.”
Despite the challenges, Kareena believes her marriage has positively changed her. “I’ve changed for the better,” she said, noting that Saif helps keep her grounded when she’s feeling overwhelmed. “He grounds me when I’m going a little crazy.”
The couple often seeks advice from each other, though Kareena joked about the effectiveness of her advice. “I always ask him for advice, and he does ask me too. I don’t know if he takes my advice. I am critical of his films. He hasn’t seen Crew yet because he’s been busy shooting. But I have to watch all his films. So, in that sense, yes, he’s taken me for granted this time.”
