At least four people were killed and 1,570 others injured in 1,308 road traffic crashes reported across Punjab during the last 24 hours, according to the Punjab Emergency Services Department (Rescue 1122).
Rescue Operations and Casualties
Rescue officials stated that 726 critically injured victims were shifted to hospitals, while 844 people with minor injuries received first aid at the scene. Motorbikes were involved in 76% of the accidents, highlighting the vulnerability of two-wheeler riders.
Lahore recorded the highest number of crashes with 232 incidents affecting 263 people, followed by Multan with 87 accidents and 97 victims, and Faisalabad with 72 accidents and 85 victims. Rescue 1122 urged strict enforcement of traffic laws and better lane discipline to help reduce the growing number of road accidents across the province.
Punjab Food Authority Cracks Down on Food Safety Violations
Meanwhile, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed two food businesses, registered a first information report (FIR) against one unit, and imposed fines totaling Rs443,000 on 27 others during a large-scale enforcement operation against food safety violations on Sunday.
The crackdown was carried out on the directions of Director General Punjab Food Authority Syed Musa Raza, with inspection teams raiding 29 food businesses in different parts of the provincial capital. A well-known food outlet in Nishtar Town was sealed for violating food safety regulations, while a frozen meat processing unit in Ichhra was shut down and an FIR was registered after the owners failed to implement the authority’s earlier directions.
According to PFA DG, the inspection teams found that the frozen meat unit was operating without a valid Punjab Food Authority licence. Raw materials and prepared food items were lying uncovered on the floor, creating a serious risk of contamination. He said inspectors also detected poor storage conditions, dirty floors, the use of rusted utensils, and unauthorized labels on food products. In addition, the units failed to display manufacturing and expiry dates on finished products, while mandatory water testing reports were also unavailable.
DG Syed Musa Raza said the PFA would continue indiscriminate action against businesses endangering public health through the sale and production of unsafe food. He added that vigilance and food safety teams had been directed to intensify inspections across the province to eliminate food adulteration and fraudulent practices. He warned that strict legal action would continue against those violating food safety laws, emphasizing that no food business would be allowed to operate unless it fully complied with the Punjab Food Authority’s regulations and hygiene standards.
Development Projects Review in PP-153
In other news, Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique visited his constituency, PP-153, to review ongoing development schemes. He inspected under-repair roads at Saddar Roundabout, Joray Pul, Harbanspura, and UC-147, besides visiting the under-construction underground water tank in Tajpura.
The development initiatives include the Harbanspura to Phatak Saddar Cantt trunk sewerage project worth Rs 4.5 billion, as well as tube wells in UC-148, street repairs, sewerage works, and clean water supply schemes costing Rs1.1 billion. Officials informed the minister that hundreds of streets in PP-153 had already been repaired, while work on several other development schemes was progressing rapidly.
Upon completion, these projects would provide improved civic facilities to millions of residents in the area. Khawaja Salman Rafique said that addressing public issues remained the government’s foremost priority and that all development projects were being monitored continuously to ensure transparency and quality. He added that instructions had been issued to complete the ongoing schemes within the stipulated timeframe. He said that, in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provision of basic amenities to the people remained the Punjab government’s top priority. He reaffirmed that the journey of development and public prosperity would continue uninterrupted through effective implementation and supervision of development projects.
Officers of WASA, MCL, LDA, and other relevant departments accompanied the minister during the visit. Syed Ikhlas Shah and Abdul Wahab were also present on the occasion.
Other Incidents
In a separate incident, an elderly motorcyclist was killed in a tractor-trolley crash. Additionally, two individuals were held with narcotics during police operations.
