Karachi: The local currency depreciated Rs0.03 against the US dollar in the interbank market on the first business day on Monday.

According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the greenback closed at Rs 278.24 against the rupee. On Friday last, the dollar closed at Rs278.21 in the interbank market.

Lahore: Punjab Police achieved historic success in an Anti-Narcotics Drive, conducted under special directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, as they arrested Jordan gang, the biggest drug supplier in Lahore, and recovered drugs worth crores of rupees.

The Punjab Police conducted a special operation on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and traced the accused with the help of IT and other modern technologies.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif praised the police by calling them to her office, and directed them to continue working hard.

Earlier, Madam Chief Minister was briefed by the authorities concerned that Jordan was considered to be a mysterious and influential drug supply gang in Lahore.  It was told that Marijuana, ice, hashish, opium and other drugs were provided in imported packaging. Drugs in the form of chocolate, toffee etc. were sent from Central Asia, Canada, Mexico and other countries.

The authorities also apprised Madam Chief Minister that Muhammad Ayub, operating under the name of Jordan, was supplying drugs in Pakistan through various sources. Members of the Jordan gang including Mohammad Ali, Aziz, Mohammad Nadeem, Samina Iftikhar, Sana and Fatima Zahra were arrested in DHA Phase 6, along with nine gunmen. The accused were supplying drugs by contacting the supplier in Pakistan through fake ID.

IG Police, CCPO, Additional Secretary Law and Order, SSP and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the assistant commissioners to implement the merit to ensure ease and facilitation in the lives of the people.

“Serving the public is not just a duty but the foremost responsibility,” said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during her meeting with the bureaucrats appointed across the province on Monday.

The Punjab CM said that the responsibility is not assigned but must be taken voluntarily.

She said, “Young officers must prove themselves through performance and respect for public representatives must be upheld but don’t accept the wrong thing of any one including the chief minister,”.

The CM asked them to ensure writ of the government but human dignity must be preserved.

She made it clear that no illegal activities should be tolerated, with the directives that all the matters including education, health, and price control should be given due attention.

Maryam Nawaz said that assistant commissioners should ensure the sale of bread at Rs16 and naan at Rs20 in their respective areas.

“Artificial inflation should be reduced through the price control mechanism, and the Provincial Enforcement Authority should assist in various tasks of the district administration,” she added.

The CM also expressed her desire not to see broken streets, accumulating water, and dirty surroundings in any area of Punjab. She stated that monitoring of treatment facilities in hospitals should be ensured, the officers should keep their doors open for the people and listen to their concerns.

Furthermore, the Punjab Chief Minister stated that her assistant commissioners are like her eyes, ears, and arms. Pervez Rashid, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary, and other officials were also present.