Day: July 14, 2026

Lahore: Emergency care courses have been formally launched at the Emergency Services Academy with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), while it has also been decided to adopt WHO courses to promote world-class training at the Rescue Academy.

Director General Rescue 1122 Dr Rizwan Naseer, while addressing the inaugural ceremony, said that it has been decided to adopt the emergency care courses of the United Nations subsidiary WHO for the Rescue Academy, which will provide world-class training to emergency professionals.

He said that the Emergency Services Academy has so far trained more than 27,000 emergency professionals across the country. He said that with the accession of the World Health Organization, international standard courses will be available for emergency professionals, while with the cooperation of WHO, the training of first responders will also be made more effective.

Dr Rizwan Naseer added that the search and rescue team of Rescue 1122 is already certified by the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), which is a manifestation of the organization’s capabilities according to international standards.

WHO Pakistan team leader Dr Naveed Asghar was a special guest at the opening ceremony, while Dr Jamshed and his team, along with other international experts, also attended the ceremony.

Lahore: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Chairman and Vice President Zaki Aijaz emphasized on Monday that innovation, renewable energy, and advanced energy storage technologies are indispensable to strengthening Pakistan’s industrial competitiveness, ensuring long-term energy security, and accelerating the country’s transition towards a sustainable and green economy.

Addressing a seminar on “Innovation Driving the Energy Future” here, he added that availability of affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy is fundamental to enhancing industrial productivity, reducing production costs, expanding exports, and attracting domestic as well as foreign investment. He stressed that the adoption of advanced battery energy storage systems, coupled with greater utilization of renewable energy, will significantly improve the resilience and efficiency of Pakistan’s energy infrastructure.

Zaki Aijaz further underscored the need for closer collaboration among the government, the private sector, technology providers, and international development partners to create a policy environment that encourages investment, innovation, and the large-scale deployment of clean energy technologies. He noted that such initiatives would not only support economic growth but also contribute to Pakistan’s climate commitments and long-term sustainable development objectives.

The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, technology experts, and key stakeholders from Pakistan’s energy sector to deliberate on the future of renewable energy, advanced battery storage technologies, and sustainable power solutions.

Speaking on the occasion, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer Faiz Ahmed stressed the need for promoting technological innovation and facilitating investment in modern energy solutions to strengthen Pakistan’s industrial base and enhance its global competitiveness. He observed that sustainable energy technologies present significant opportunities for economic growth, export expansion, and industrial modernization.

Punjab Energy Department Secretary Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti and SM Solar (Pvt.) Limited Chief Executive Officer Adil Mehmood also addressed the gathering.

The speakers collectively reaffirmed that advanced energy storage systems, renewable energy integration, and innovation-driven policies will play a transformative role in shaping Pakistan’s energy future. They called for sustained public-private collaboration to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies and establish a secure, resilient, and sustainable energy ecosystem.

The event concluded with an interactive session attended by prominent industrialists, investors, energy professionals, policymakers, and representatives of leading national and international companies. Participants exchanged views on emerging trends in energy storage, technological innovation, and investment opportunities aimed at supporting Pakistan’s transition towards a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable energy future.

Lahore: It has been decided to increase the sports fund of education boards in Punjab to promote sports n schools, while the regular provision of sports kits to schools will also be started from the next financial year.

According to board officials, the sports fund will be increased from Rs 10 million to Rs 15 million so that sports activities can be further promoted in schools. Under this project, sports kits will be provided to 1,000 schools in Lahore division next year, including 500 boys and 500 girls schools affiliated to the Lahore Board.

The board authorities have issued instructions to all 9 education boards of Punjab to ensure the distribution of sports kits in their affiliated schools and take effective steps to make sports activities more active.

Lahore: The Punjab Home Department on Monday issued comprehensive security directives to all districts to ensure foolproof security and maintain law and order across the province during the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

According to a Home Department spokesperson, subject to the moon sighting, the Chehlum would be observed on 20 Safar, corresponding to August 4 or 5, 2026.

The department directed all district administrations to ensure stringent security arrangements for Imambargahs, processions and religious gatherings, while only approved and licensed processions would be allowed to proceed on designated routes and within scheduled timings.

The directives called for special security measures at sensitive locations, key installations, markets and other crowded places. Authorities were also instructed to conduct comprehensive security sweeps along procession routes and adjoining areas and ensure that processions of different schools of thought followed separate routes and schedules to avoid any untoward incidents.

District administrations were asked to prepare comprehensive traffic management plans to maintain smooth traffic flow, while parking areas for mourners would be established at least 500 yards away from Imambargahs and congregation venues.

The department also directed authorities to share data on stolen vehicles with the Motorway Police and Punjab Traffic Police to prevent unlawful activities and ordered the immediate removal of construction debris from procession routes and surrounding areas.

The instructions further required thorough inspection of Niaz, Langar and Sabeel arrangements by the Special Branch, Punjab Food Authority and other relevant departments. Female police personnel would be deployed for the security of women participants, while walk-through gates, metal detectors, physical searches and CCTV surveillance would be mandatory at all entry points of Imambargahs and religious gatherings.

Multi-layered security arrangements would be implemented for sensitive processions and congregations, with trained snipers deployed at vulnerable locations. Authorities were also directed to ensure complete video and audio recording of all processions and gatherings, conduct flag marches at sensitive locations and enhance patrolling in vulnerable areas.

The department instructed district administrations to provide security training to volunteers after obtaining mandatory clearance from the Special Branch. Concerned station house officers (SHOs) were directed to obtain written certificates from organizers confirming satisfactory security arrangements.

The Home Department also ordered strict checking of people, vehicles and luggage at all entry and exit points of Punjab, enhanced drone surveillance along inter-provincial borders and riverine areas, and close monitoring of hotels, guest houses, bus terminals and rented accommodations through Hotel Eye and Travel Eye systems.

Shops and markets located along procession routes would remain closed after security clearance, while authorities were directed to ensure strict implementation of security plans for Chinese nationals, foreign missions, consulates, minority places of worship and other sensitive sites.

The department further ordered intensified monitoring of Fourth Schedule suspects and members of proscribed organisations, besides strengthening cyber monitoring to curb extremist, sectarian and anti-public order content.

Legal action would be taken against individuals spreading sectarian or inflammatory material through social, electronic and print media. The Home Department said WhatsApp numbers 03073087777 and 03073097777 had been activated for reporting objectionable online content.

The directives also stressed that speakers at religious gatherings would not be allowed to deliver objectionable remarks against any sect or school of thought. District administrations were instructed to strictly enforce the Loudspeaker Act under a zero-tolerance policy and initiate legal action, including restrictions on movement and public speaking, against provocative speakers.

District administrations were directed to formulate contingency plans for emergency situations and submit them to the Home Department, while the Inspector General of Police, Punjab, would provide daily reports on intelligence-based operations, search operations and surprise inspections.

The department also instructed authorities to ensure the availability of fire brigades, bomb disposal squads, Rescue 1122 services, uninterrupted electricity supply, medicines and emergency healthcare facilities.

All divisional and district control rooms would remain operational round the clock and linked with the Home Department’s central control room to ensure timely reporting and swift response to any emergency.

The department also directed WAPDA and power distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, remove hanging wires from procession routes and maintain cleanliness under the “Suthra Punjab” programme.

The spokesperson said procession organizers had been advised to connect with law enforcement agencies through the Public Safety Application and ensure prompt response to alerts generated through QR-coded panic buttons installed outside Imambargahs.

The department further directed divisional and district peace committees, interfaith harmony committees and public liaison committees to hold meetings ahead of the Chehlum. Assistant commissioners and DSPs were also instructed to convene meetings of tehsil mosque committees to promote peace and public awareness through religious leaders.

Lahore: The Punjab Food Department on Monday said that the supply of flour across the province remained uninterrupted and that there was no shortage in the market.

A spokesperson for the department said that flour mills in Punjab had procured wheat from the private sector and after milling, supplied 258,564 bags of 10 kg and 203,991 bags of 20 kg to districts across the province.

The spokesperson said the Punjab government was continuously monitoring the situation to ensure the uninterrupted availability of quality flour for consumers.

He said flour mills across the province were operating normally, while all necessary measures were being taken to maintain adequate flour stocks and ensure a smooth supply chain.

The spokesperson said wheat procurement was helping farmers receive fair prices for their produce, adding that the government was continuing to take all necessary measures to safeguard farmers’ interests.

He said the government would not allow any disruption in the supply of flour to the public, adding that the relevant authorities remained active against hoarding and profiteering and were taking legal action in accordance with the law.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday called for collective action through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to advance women’s empowerment, saying empowering women was not the success of one segment but the progress of the entire nation.

Addressing the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, the chief minister welcomed delegates from member states and said it was an honour to address the gathering as a woman leader, said a handout issued here.

She said Islam provided clear guidance on the rights, dignity and protection of women, urging Muslim countries to work together to ensure greater opportunities, inclusion and security for women.

Paying tribute to national role models, the CM said Fatima Jinnah had been a pillar of strength for Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, while her mother, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, had taught her courage, perseverance and resilience. She also acknowledged former prime minister Benazir Bhutto as the first woman to lead Pakistan and the Muslim world, saying her leadership had opened new avenues for women.

The CM said education, healthcare and employment were fundamental rights of women, stressing that women should not only participate in development but also lead it. She highlighted the Punjab government’s women-centric initiatives, saying women constituted more than 60 percent of beneficiaries under the provincial scholarship and laptop schemes.

She said flagship programmes, including Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar, Apni Zameen, Apna Rozgar, the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, livestock distribution for rural women, Sanatzar, IT skills training, internships and business financing initiatives, were helping women achieve economic independence.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the Dhee Rani Programme was supporting daughters from underprivileged families, while dedicated initiatives had also been launched for women lawyers and women with disabilities. She added that Clinics on Wheels, field hospitals and an extensive network of Lady Health Workers were expanding healthcare services for women across Punjab.

Highlighting economic empowerment, she said the Green Taxi Programme was creating employment opportunities while ensuring safer transport for women. Digital literacy and e-commerce initiatives, she added, were enabling rural women to participate in the global economy.

On women’s safety, the chief minister said more than three million women had benefited from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority’s digital services. She said 36 mobile police stations, over 900 mobile charging stations, functional panic buttons and the Virtual Police Station had significantly strengthened women’s access to security and emergency assistance, with the virtual platform alone assisting more than one million women.

Sharing her personal journey, the CM said she had learned the values of sacrifice and steadfastness while standing beside her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, during difficult times. She said challenges had strengthened her resolve and taught her that perseverance was the only path forward.

Calling for greater cooperation among OIC member states, the chief minister said every girl in the Muslim world deserved education, opportunity, dignity and the freedom to dream without fear. She said coordinated efforts through the OIC platform could ensure greater protection, inclusion and opportunities for women across the Islamic world.

She also invited conference participants to visit Lahore, describing the city as a symbol of history, culture, poetry and hospitality.