Day: July 10, 2026

Lahore: Enforcement teams of the PFA on the directions of Director General PFA Syed Musa Raza, Additional Director General Operations Asad Ullah led operation against a renowned snacks production unit in Sundar Industrial Estate. Operation resulted in the sealing of the unit and the disposal of 12,481kg of expired chocolates, biscuits, cakes, cookies, brownies, rusks and other food products worth millions of rupees.

Food safety teams sealed the production unit after discovering large quantities of expired food items stocked alongside fresh products. Stock was discarded in accordance with food safety regulations. Inspectors found that mandatory traceability records and supply documents were unavailable, while the unit had no effective system or standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the disposal of expired food products.

DG PFA Syed Musa Raza said that several products were being offered for sale without mandatory registration and label approval. He said that the warehouse had extremely poor sanitary conditions with a heavy infestation of insects, while food handlers lacked mandatory medical screening and food safety training certificates.

He said that the unit had failed to comply with previously issued directions and was found violating multiple provisions of the Punjab Food Authority regulations. Expired chocolates, biscuits, cakes, cookies, brownies, rusks and other food items were discarded to protect public health.

He further stated that, under the directions of the Chief Minister Punjab, Punjab Food Authority is implementing a zero tolerance policy to safeguard public health.

Lahore: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has launched a comprehensive monsoon preparedness campaign to safeguard public life and protect the historic urban fabric of the Walled City ahead of the rainy season.

According to a WCLA spokesperson, the initiative had been launched in line with the directions of the Punjab government to minimise risks associated with heavy rains and ensure the safety of residents.

As part of the campaign, WCLA had completed a detailed structural survey of buildings across the Walled City to identify unsafe and dilapidated structures posing potential risks during the monsoon season.

Based on the survey findings, notices have been issued to owners of hazardous buildings directing them to immediately undertake the required repair and strengthening of their properties. Owners had also been advised to carry out the repairs at their own expense to ensure the structural safety of their buildings.

The spokesperson said owners who were unable or unwilling to repair unsafe structures had been directed to vacate the buildings immediately to prevent any loss of life or property in case of structural collapse.

Residents and property owners had also been advised to keep rooftops, rainwater drainage systems, gutters and downpipes clean and fully functional throughout the monsoon season to prevent water accumulation, seepage and structural damage.

The authority reiterated that no unauthorised construction, addition of floors, structural alterations, excavation or modifications to heritage buildings or other properties within the Walled City would be allowed without prior approval from the WCLA, as such activities violate heritage conservation regulations and increase structural risks during adverse weather.

WCLA Director General Najmus Saqib said the protection of human life remained the authority’s foremost priority, adding that preventive measures before the onset of the monsoon were essential to minimising risks and ensuring the safety of residents.

He said preserving Lahore’s architectural heritage must go hand in hand with protecting the lives of people living in the centuries-old neighborhoods and urged citizens to cooperate by complying with official notices, carrying out timely repairs, maintaining proper drainage facilities and following all safety instructions.

The WCLA remains committed to implementing the Punjab government’s vision of ensuring public safety, preserving the city’s cultural heritage and adopting proactive disaster risk management measures to reduce the impact of the upcoming monsoon season, he added.

Lahore: The Food Safety and Consumer Protection department is continuing comprehensive measures across the province to ensure the availability of quality essential commodities at official and affordable prices through an effective price control mechanism and continuous market monitoring.

Under the leadership of Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister for Food Safety and Consumer Protection Salma Butt, field teams remain actively engaged in curbing overcharging and profiteering, said a handout issued here on Thursday.

According to the department’s latest performance report, 484,859 inspections were carried out across Punjab during the past week, achieving 108 percent of the assigned target.

During these operations, 23,744 cases of overcharging were detected.

Fines exceeding Rs 15.368 million were imposed, 46 cases were registered, 968 persons were arrested, and 693 business establishments were sealed.

The report stated that although nearly 85 percent of the raw material used in the production of vegetable ghee is imported, and global palm oil prices have increased, the Punjab government’s effective monitoring has helped minimize the impact on consumers.

The average retail price of ghee in Punjab remains around Rs 521 per kilogram, while lower-priced brands are also available at reasonable rates, providing quality alternatives for consumers across different income groups.

Similarly, despite rising production costs, the average price of chicken meat in Punjab has remained around Rs 445 per kilogram. The government continues to strengthen the supply chain through constant monitoring and is taking measures to prevent unnecessary price hikes.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Salma Butt said that, in accordance with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, ensuring the availability of quality food items at affordable prices was the government’s top priority.

She said indiscriminate action against hoarding, overcharging and profiteering would continue to provide genuine relief to the public.

Food Safety and Consumer Protection Secretary Dr Kiran Khurshid said the department was continuously monitoring markets through a modern data-driven monitoring system.

She directed all field officers to ensure strict implementation of official prices, the availability of quality essential commodities and a transparent inspection mechanism to effectively safeguard consumers’ interests.

Lahore: The Punjab Information Technology Board’s (PITB) Communication and Coordination Wing, in collaboration with the Human Resource Wing and Admin Wing, successfully concluded a three-day Eye Care Camp at Arfa Software Technology Park (ASTP) in partnership with Mughal Optical Services.

Organized under the ‘PITB Connect 360’ initiative, the camp was aimed at promoting employee welfare by focusing on health, well-being, mental wellness, cyber security awareness, and a safe workplace culture. The Eye Care Camp specifically sought to raise awareness about eye health among PITB and ASTP employees and their families while providing access to professional eye care services.

The camp witnessed enthusiastic participation from employees and their family members, who availed comprehensive eye examinations conducted by qualified optometrists using modern diagnostic equipment. Participants also benefited from exclusive discounts on complete eye check-ups, contact lenses, prescription glasses, and sunglasses.

In his message on the occasion, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated, ‘Our employees are our most valuable asset, and ensuring their health, well-being, and a safe working environment remains one of our highest priorities. We are committed to continuing such welfare and healthcare initiatives that not only enhance the professional productivity of our workforce but also contribute to their physical and mental well-being.’

PITB remains dedicated to fostering a healthy, supportive, and employee-centric work environment through initiatives that promote the overall well-being of its workforce and their families.

Lahore: Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister on AI, Special Initiatives and the Religious Affairs Committee Chairman Ali Dar on Thursday visited the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) and reviewed the ongoing construction and development work.

Ali Dar said that Data Darbar was being restored and further upgraded in accordance with its historical grandeur and prestige.

He said, “The shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) is a great spiritual, religious, and historical symbol of the subcontinent.”

He further stated that the teachings of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) convey a timeless message of love, peace, tolerance and service to humanity.

He said that millions of devotees visit Data Darbar every month, and it was our responsibility to provide them with the best possible facilities.

Preserving the sanctity, beauty and historical heritage of the shrine was among the top priorities of the Punjab government, he said and added that all development projects aimed at providing world-class facilities to pilgrims would be completed on time.

He further said that the Punjab government was utilizing all available resources for the restoration and development of religious and historical sites.

Lahore: The Punjab government has revised service charges for various land record-related services across the province, with the new fee structure taking immediate effect.

According to an official notification, the revised charges will be applicable at all Land Record Centres and other relevant offices operating under the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA).

Under the new schedule, the fee for obtaining an express copy of fard, inheritance (intiqal) and girdawari has been fixed at Rs4,000, while the general fee for the same services has been set at Rs900. The fee for issuance of a Green Property Certificate has been fixed at Rs800.

The notification said the fee for obtaining a copy of land records had been fixed at Rs5,000, while a copy of a registered deed would cost Rs1,400. Banks will pay Rs1,000 for each successful land record verification transaction.

The fee for express and general property transfer services has been fixed at Rs1,200, while transfers processed through banks will be charged Rs2,100.

According to the notification, a fee of Rs6,700 has been fixed for the appointment of a local commission through the e-registration system, while a service charge of Rs3,000 will be levied on each transaction processed under the property transfer system.

The government has also imposed a service charge of 0.1 per cent of the property’s value on transactions carried out through the e-registration portal for the purchase and sale of land. However, the minimum charge has been fixed at Rs3,600.

The notification further introduced revised charges for services provided under the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) and the Revenue Courts Management System for overseas Pakistanis. A fee of US$100 has been fixed for the appointment of a local commission through e-registration for foreign missions.