Day: July 14, 2026

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora on Monday met Pakistan’s Consul General in Sydney, Qamar Zaman, and discussed minority welfare, interfaith harmony, educational collaboration and ways to strengthen Pakistan-Australia cooperation.

During the meeting, attended by Chaudhry Shoaib Haneef, Chaudhry Aslam Kahloo and Naseer Taseer, the minister highlighted the Punjab government’s inclusive initiatives under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the empowerment of minority communities, said a handout issued here.

He briefed the consul general on key programmes, including the Minority Card Programme, digital literacy and e-learning initiatives, support for CSS examination preparation, educational opportunities for out-of-school children, and the restoration and preservation of religious heritage sites.

The two sides agreed to explore enhanced cooperation in education, digital skills development and economic empowerment. They also discussed facilitating special scholarships and educational quotas for Pakistani minority students at Australian universities.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora invited the consul general to visit the Kartarpur Corridor to witness Pakistan’s commitment to interfaith harmony and religious inclusion.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said he was committed to projecting Punjab’s minority-friendly policies and development initiatives at the international level. He said stronger people-to-people contacts, cultural understanding and inclusive development were vital for further strengthening Pakistan-Australia relations.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and exploring new opportunities in education, community development and interfaith engagement.

Lahore: Portugal’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif here on Monday. Matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, trade, investment and cooperation in agriculture, livestock, tourism and other sectors were discussed during the meeting.

Welcoming the ambassador, the chief minister thanked him for visiting Lahore and expressed Punjab’s commitment to strengthening ties with Portugal.

She invited Portuguese companies to explore business and investment opportunities in Punjab, saying there was vast potential for collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector, energy, water resources, healthcare and digital innovation.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen Pakistan-Portugal bilateral relations and discussed a proposal to establish a Pakistan-Portugal Business Forum to promote commercial cooperation. They also held detailed discussions on developing sister-city relations between Lahore and Lisbon to enhance cultural and educational exchanges, while emphasizing the need to expand cooperation in tourism and other areas of mutual interest.

CM Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan and Portugal enjoyed longstanding friendly relations with ample room for further expansion through institutional cooperation. She noted that promoting Portuguese culture, heritage, language and academic exchanges would help strengthen people-to-people contacts. Referring to football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, she remarked that a large number of young Pakistanis were his admirers.

Ambassador Paulo Domingues praised Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States and acknowledged the country’s efforts to promote lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. He also lauded the Punjab government’s initiatives in the health sector, particularly the establishment of the province’s first government cancer hospital, and invited Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to visit Portugal.

The ambassador assured the chief minister that Portuguese authorities would continue to facilitate Pakistani investors and businessmen seeking business opportunities in Portugal.

Lahore: Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra) Executive Director Muhammad Nawaz Gondal reviewed ongoing renovation, upgradation and maintenance projects at the Alhamra Cultural Complex, Gaddafi Stadium, here on Monday.

He directed officials to ensure their timely completion while maintaining the highest standards of quality, transparency and professionalism.

During his visit, the executive director inspected the Administrative Block, the Alhamra Museum and other key sections of the Cultural Complex to assess the progress of development works, construction quality and maintenance standards.

He also visited various departments to review operational performance and staff attendance, stressing discipline, punctuality and accountability as essential values for maintaining the institution’s efficiency and reputation.

On the occasion, the ED said the true strength of an institution lay not only in modern infrastructure but also in the professionalism, discipline and commitment of its workforce. He said Alhamra was committed to upgrading its facilities alongside strengthening administrative standards to ensure good governance and provide artists, students and visitors with an environment that reflected the highest institutional values.

He directed the authorities concerned to complete all ongoing projects within the stipulated timeframe and continue regular monitoring of administrative performance, reaffirming Alhamra’s commitment to institutional excellence, efficient public service and the continuous improvement of its cultural facilities.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has paid glowing tribute to the martyrs of the Kashmiri freedom movement, and called on the international community to ensure the implementation of the United Nations resolutions guaranteeing the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

In her message on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, the CM reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The CM honored the sacrifices of all Kashmiri martyrs, particularly the 22 Kashmiris who embraced martyrdom on July 13, 1931, saying their blood had become an enduring symbol of the struggle for freedom and justice. She urged the global community to play an effective role in securing the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, adding that the unparalleled sacrifices of the Kashmir martyrs constituted one of the brightest chapters in the history of the freedom movement.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the courageous people of IIOJK had kept the flame of freedom alive through their sacrifices, and that spirit continued to inspire the resilience and determination of the Kashmiri people despite decades of oppression.

The chief minister expressed confidence that the priceless sacrifices of the people of IIOJK would never go in vain, adding that the day was not far when the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir would witness the dawn of freedom.

Lahore: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested suspects in two separate operations against cyber blackmail and online harassment, including a man accused of sharing a woman’s private photos and videos with her husband and another allegedly involved in impersonation to extort money from citizens.

According to an NCCIA spokesperson on Monday, during the investigation of case No 122/2026 registered at NCCIA Lahore, the accused, Haroon Qureshi, was found involved in sending a complainant’s private photographs and videos to her husband through WhatsApp to harass her, damage her reputation and disrupt her family life.

The suspect was arrested on the basis of digital evidence, and a mobile phone was recovered from his possession.

A case was registered against him under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, as amended in 2025.

In another operation, NCCIA Faisalabad arrested Muhammad Anwar during a raid in Sherwan Kalan, Abbottabad, in connection with case No. 91/2026.

According to investigators, the suspect allegedly posed as a woman on social media to befriend victims, obtain their private photographs and personal information, and later blackmail them for money.

The accused allegedly extorted Rs 40,000 from one victim through Easypaisa and continued demanding more money. After the victim refused to pay, the suspect allegedly circulated the victim’s private content through multiple WhatsApp numbers. A mobile phone was also recovered during the raid.

Lahore: Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) here Monday hailed the China-backed Sahiwal Coal-Fired Power Plant as one of the most successful flagship projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stating that it has made a significant contribution to Pakistan’s energy security, industrial development, and overall economic progress.

The joint chamber emphasized that success of Sahiwal project demonstrates the importance of initiating more large-scale, technology-driven energy projects to meet Pakistan’s growing electricity demand and sustain long-term economic growth.

PCJCCI President Nazir Hussain stated that Sahiwal Coal-Fired Power Plant stands as a remarkable symbol of the enduring Pakistan-China strategic partnership and reflects the transformative impact of Chinese investment under the CPEC.

He noted that the 1,320-megawatt power plant, developed by Huaneng Shandong Ruyi, has been delivering reliable electricity to the national grid since commencing commercial operations in 2017. Its uninterrupted power supply has helped reduce the country’s energy shortfall, improve industrial productivity, strengthen investor confidence, and support uninterrupted operations across key sectors of the economy.

He remarked that Pakistan’s future economic ambitions require continuous investment in modern energy infrastructure. “As industrialization accelerates and electricity demand continues to rise, more projects of this scale should be initiated under Pakistan-China cooperation. Reliable and affordable energy remains the backbone of manufacturing, exports, digital transformation, and sustainable economic development,” he added.

PCJCCI Vice President Amir Ali emphasized that economic benefits of Sahiwal project extend well beyond electricity generation. He said the plant has made a substantial contribution to national economy through tax revenues, local procurement, business opportunities, and the development of supporting industries while stimulating economic activity throughout the surrounding region.

He highlighted, the project generated thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities during both its construction and operational phases. Additionally, its technical training facilities have equipped Pakistani engineers and technicians with modern operational and engineering skills, enabling them to contribute effectively to the country’s expanding energy and industrial sectors. He stressed that investment in human resource development must remain an integral component of all future infrastructure projects.

The joint chamber’s Commercial Ambassador

Adeel Munawar observed that Sahiwal Coal-Fired Power Plant showcases China’s advanced engineering expertise and commitment to efficient energy production. He explained that the facility utilizes modern supercritical coal-fired technology, which significantly improves fuel efficiency while reducing coal consumption compared to conventional thermal power plants.

He further noted that the plant incorporates advanced environmental protection systems, including Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP), Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD), and Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), which effectively control emissions and support compliance with internationally recognized environmental standards. He added that the successful integration of advanced technology demonstrates that industrial development and environmental responsibility can progress together through innovation and responsible planning.

Adeel Munawar emphasized that Pakistan should continue attracting Chinese investment in next-generation energy infrastructure, including clean coal technologies, hydropower, renewable energy, energy storage systems, and smart transmission networks. He noted that expanding cooperation in the energy sector would strengthen Pakistan’s energy resilience, reduce production costs for industries, enhance export competitiveness, and create new employment opportunities for skilled professionals.

Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI, stated that Pakistan’s rapidly expanding economy requires a diversified, reliable, and sustainable energy mix capable of supporting industrial expansion, agriculture, digital infrastructure, urban development, and future Special Economic Zones (SEZs). While renewable energy continues to grow in importance, he remarked that efficient baseload power projects such as the Sahiwal Coal-Fired Power Plant remain indispensable for ensuring grid stability and uninterrupted electricity supply.

He concluded that the remarkable success of the Sahiwal project should serve as a model for future Pakistan-China collaboration.

PCJCCI believes that initiating more strategic energy projects under CPEC will not only strengthen Pakistan’s energy security but also accelerate industrialization, attract greater foreign investment, create employment opportunities, and contribute substantially to the country’s long-term economic prosperity.