Latest news with #LahoreAirport
Arab Times
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Arab Times
Meet Pakistan's Futuristic New Metro: Solar-Powered, Trackless, and Smart
LAHORE, July 21: Lahore has just rolled out South Asia's first trackless, solar-powered metro system — an ambitious, high-tech answer to the region's outdated urban transport. Dubbed the Super Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (SRT), this sleek electric vehicle is billed as a 'subway on wheels,' gliding on ordinary roads without the need for expensive tracks or overhead wires. In a futuristic twist, the SRT relies on Virtual Track Technology, using GPS, sensors, and digital mapping to stay on course — all without laying a single rail. Think tram meets Tesla, with zero emissions. A pilot run is already underway near Lahore Airport, drawing curious onlookers and high-level officials from both Pakistan and China — the system's developer. This is the first time such a vehicle has ever hit the roads in South Asia. 'This isn't just a test drive,' said a senior Punjab transport official. 'This is a test for the future of public transport in Pakistan.' A Metro Without the Mess The high-capacity electric buses — capable of carrying 250 to 300 passengers — are set to transform mobility in Punjab and beyond. Unlike conventional metros or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, the SRT and its future cousin, the Automated Rapid Transport (ART) system, don't require tracks or elevated lanes — meaning cheaper builds, quicker rollouts, and no ugly overpasses slicing through cities. The initiative falls under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's five-year transport master plan, which aims to bring smart, solar-powered mobility to 30 cities across the province. 'This isn't just infrastructure,' said Maryam. 'It's a leap toward equitable, green mobility for all citizens.' Phase One: Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala The first phase will roll out in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, with 10 more cities added each year over the next four years. If the Lahore trial proves successful, full-scale operations could begin as early as 2026 — with potential future expansions to Karachi, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. A Cleaner, Quieter Commute Aside from its tech credentials, the SRT promises a dramatic social and environmental impact. Each vehicle could replace up to 100 private cars, slashing air pollution, traffic congestion, and noise in Pakistan's smog-choked cities. 'This is about climate justice as much as convenience,' said an official involved in the rollout. 'It's about narrowing urban divides and giving people a cleaner, faster way to move.' The SRT runs like a tram, follows a virtual track with pinpoint precision, yet has the agility of a bus — making it ideal for traffic-clogged, infrastructure-limited cities like Lahore. The future of Pakistani transport, it seems, is arriving quietly… and on rubber wheels.
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Punjab enforces bird hazard controls near Lahore airport
The Punjab government has launched a major crackdown on bird activity in the vicinity of Lahore Airport to enhance aviation safety, declaring several neighbourhoods 'No Bird Zones' under a new initiative. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued the directive to the city's district administration, Punjab Wildlife Department, and the Environment Protection Agency for coordinated action. Localities including Eastern Bypass, Manawan, Hospital Dahori Wala, PKLI, Chungi Amar Sidhu, Ichhra, and Chah Miran have been placed under strict monitoring. Officials said these areas have been ring-fenced aerially to create protective airspace for commercial flights. Bird strikes, particularly during take-off and landing, pose a persistent safety hazard. The new policy aims to mitigate this by reducing bird presence around low-altitude flight paths. Read: Police to set up animal rescue sub-centres Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has been appointed to oversee the mobilisation of Punjab's first dedicated Wildlife Force. The Wildlife Department has already ordered its field rangers to enforce new restrictions. Strict regulations are being imposed on nearby slaughterhouses, poultry farms, bakeries, and leather-processing units. These businesses must now comply with environmental controls, including a ban on open disposal of animal waste and hides. Additionally, feeding birds in public areas, on rooftops, and at shrines has been outlawed. Residents are also restricted from keeping or flying large numbers of pigeons. Garbage dumping near the airport has been banned, and covered waste bins are now compulsory in specific zones. Officials warned that any activity attracting birds in these areas will be treated as a breach of public safety. Read more: Pet big cats to be sterilised, sale banned Legal action will be taken under the Punjab Wildlife Act, with monitoring teams tasked with ensuring full compliance. Authorities say the move aligns with international aviation safety standards and reflects a long-term commitment to safer skies around the city.
India.com
04-07-2025
- General
- India.com
Coward Pakistan now afraid of birds..., decides to close Lahore International Airport every day for..., danger to humans...
New Delhi: The government of Pakistan has taken a big decision in view of the danger of plane crash. Lahore Airport will now be closed for 3 hours every day. Lahore Authority has taken this decision because of the birds. Why the decision? The government says that they will not fly the plane at the time when most birds fly in the sky. According to Sama TV, Lahore Authority has informed all the airlines about this decision. This decision has been taken keeping in mind the safety of the passengers. The name of this airport is Allama Iqbal International Airport, which is sometimes incorrectly referred to as Jinnah Lahore Airport. What time will airport remain closed? According to Lahore Authority, operations at the airport will remain closed from 5 am to 8 am every day. The authority says that during this time most birds fly in the sky. During this time, as soon as the flight takes off, there is a danger of accident. Lahore Authority says that this decision has been taken to save people's lives. In the coming time, this decision can reduce the chances of accidents. This decision will be applicable from July 1 to September 15. The authority has also issued Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding this. A plane crash took place at Lahore Airport in 2020 in which 101 people were killed in this accident which the Pakistani government called a human error. What is a bird strike? A bird strike, bird ingestion (for an engine), bird hit, or bird aircraft strike hazard (BASH)) is a collision between an airborne bird and a moving aircraft. Bird strikes are a significant threat to flight safety and have caused a number of accidents with human casualties. There are over 13,000 bird strikes annually in the USA alone. Most accidents occur when a bird, or group of birds, collides with the windscreen or is sucked into the engine of jet aircraft. These cause annual damages that have been estimated at $400 million within the United States alone and up to $1.2 billion to commercial aircraft worldwide.
Business Upturn
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Upturn
US Consulate in Lahore issues shelter-in-place directive as India destroys Pakistani air defence base
In a significant fallout from escalating Indo-Pak tensions, the United States State Department confirmed that the US Consulate General in Lahore has directed all its personnel to shelter-in-place. The consulate has also received initial reports suggesting local authorities may be evacuating areas adjacent to Lahore Airport. This development comes shortly after India's Armed Forces confirmed a precision airstrike on a Pakistani air defence system located in Lahore as part of its ongoing Operation Sindoor. The strike was part of India's proportionate response to Pakistan's failed attempt to breach and attack 16 Indian cities using drones and missiles on the night of May 7-8. Due to reports of drone explosions, downed drones, and possible airspace incursions in and near Lahore, the US Consulate General in Lahore has directed all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place. The Consulate has also received initial reports that authorities may be evacuating… — ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025 Key Indian military bases in Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj were targeted. However, the Indian Air Force successfully intercepted all threats using its S-400 'Sudarshan Chakra' defence system. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the retaliatory Indian strike on Lahore and other locations was 'in the same domain and with the same intensity' as the Pakistani aggression. With the situation still fluid and Operation Sindoor underway, the international community is closely monitoring developments, particularly around Lahore — a key hub for Pakistan's military infrastructure. Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Libya boat tragedy victims' bodies arrive
Bodies of two more Pakistani nationals, who died in a migrant boat capsizing off the eastern coast of Libya on the night between April 12 and 13, arrived at Lahore Airport on Sunday. The tragedy is the latest in a series of similar incidents in recent years, where hundreds of Pakistanis have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean while attempting to reach Europe via Africa. The victims were identified as Sufyan and Nadeem Ahmed, both residents of Gujranwala. State Minister for Public Affairs Rana Mubashir Hussain and Punjab Assembly Member Imran Javed received the bodies at the airport. The remains were later handed over to the grieving families. Prayers were also offered for the departed souls. Minister Hussain expressed deep sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Meanwhile, the FIA, Gujranwala Zone, has launched at least three separate inquiries into the incident. The FIA launched a massive crackdown against human smugglers and traffickers after PM Shehbaz Sharif took notice of boat capsizing incidents near Greece in November last year in which illegal Pakistani immigrants were among the people who lost their lives.
