Day: July 18, 2026

Lahore: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Friday organized a roundtable discussion on the Punjab Women’s Hormonal Health Index (PWHHI) to raise awareness about women’s health and wellness and to highlight the importance of hormonal health as a key component of social and economic development.

The session was chaired by LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol and attended by LCCI Vice President Khurram Lodhi, Former Senior Vice President Zafar Mehmood Chaudhry, Convener of the Standing Committee on Women Entrepreneurs Business Forum and EC Member Firdous Nisar, other Executive Committee Members Rana Nisar and Ahad Amin Malik, Consultant Gynaecologist Dr. Saima Usama, Muhammad Usama Usmani, and a large number of participants including Saqib Saddiq, Nazish Khan, Aftab Javed, Amara Ijaz, Nazia Butt, Nabeeha Akbar, and Marriyam Saif.

Addressing the participants, LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that women play a fundamental role in the stability and progress of families and society. He observed that behind every successful man stands a woman, and that a healthy woman-both mentally and physically-is essential for nurturing strong families and productive communities.

He said that women’s health should be accorded the highest priority, as it directly influences the well-being of future generations and the overall development of the country. He emphasized that hormonal health issues often remain undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and social stigma, underscoring the need for greater public education and easier access to quality healthcare services.

‘Women’s health is not only a social issue but also an economic imperative. A healthy woman contributes more effectively to her family, workplace, and society. It is therefore essential that we work collectively to promote awareness, early diagnosis, and timely treatment of hormonal health disorders,’ he added.

The LCCI President also stressed the importance of research-based initiatives such as the Punjab Women’s Hormonal Health Index, which can provide valuable insights into prevailing health challenges and support evidence-based policy-making aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for women across Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President Khurram Lodhi said that women’s empowerment begins with ensuring their physical and mental well-being. He appreciated the initiative and called for sustained awareness campaigns to educate women about hormonal health and preventive healthcare practices.

Dr. Saima Usama highlighted the growing incidence of hormonal disorders among women and explained their impact on reproductive health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. She emphasized the importance of regular medical consultations, early screening, balanced nutrition, and healthy lifestyles in addressing these challenges.

Firdos Nisar, Convener of the Standing Committee on Women Entrepreneurs Business Forum, said that healthy women are the cornerstone of a prosperous society. She stressed the need for collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals, policymakers, educational institutions, and the private sector to address women’s health concerns effectively.

The participants engaged in a detailed discussion on the challenges associated with women’s hormonal health and explored measures to improve awareness, healthcare accessibility, and policy support. The forum also emphasized the need for continued research and data collection to strengthen healthcare planning and interventions.

Lahore: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) enforcement teams inspected 22 food points and production units, sealed two food units, registered two FIRs and imposed Rs. 456,000 fine on 18 food business operators.

The teams also discarded 1,550 litres of substandard oil, 200kg of unsafe meat and other prohibited food ingredients.

Food safety teams recovered substandard meat from a haveli (livestock holding) at Bakra Mandi and registered an FIR over food fraud. Another FIR was lodged after the inspection of an oil warehouse on Samsani Road due to serious food safety violations. A renowned restaurant on GT Road and another food unit in Ghora Shah were also sealed for violating PFA regulations.

DG PFA Raja Mansoor Ahmad said that poor sanitation and multiple violations of food safety laws were observed during the inspections. Used cooking oil was stored uncovered in containers and tins, while mandatory records and traceability documents were unavailable. Inspectors also found utensils being washed with non-food-grade detergent in violation of food safety regulations.

He said that food handlers lacked mandatory medical screening and food safety training certificates, while unhygienic freezers and foul-smelling conditions were found at the inspected premises.

He has requested all food business operators to strictly comply with the Punjab Food Authority regulations. He further stated that protecting public health remains the PFA’s top priority and that a zero-tolerance policy against food adulteration will continue.

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday restrained the authorities from demolishing shops in Sheikh Hindi Market, Bhati Gate, and issued notices to the Punjab government and the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), seeking their responses.

Justice Khalid Ishaq passed the order while hearing petitions filed by Mian Waqar Saeed and other shopkeepers. Advocate Mian Irfan Akram represented the petitioners.

The petitioners’ counsel contended that the Para Force and the assistant commissioner had directed shopkeepers to vacate their premises for the demolition of shops in Sheikh Hindi Market. However, he argued that no written notice had been served, and the administration had merely issued verbal directions to vacate the shops.

He further stated that the shops are built on privately owned land and that the petitioners have been conducting business there for more than three decades. He maintained that the properties belong to the shopkeepers and are not government-owned.

He requested the court to restrain the authorities from demolishing or sealing the shops.

After hearing the arguments, the court ordered an immediate halt to the demolition and issued notices to the respondents, directing them to submit their replies.

Lahore: The Punjab government has decided to convert all unmanned railway level crossings across the province into manned crossings, allocating Rs9.7 billion to upgrade 177 level crossings in a major initiative aimed at improving railway safety and public transportation.

The decision was discussed during a meeting between Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Friday. The two sides held detailed discussions on strengthening cooperation between the Punjab government and Pakistan Railways to provide better travel facilities to the people of the province.

During the meeting, it was decided to prepare an implementation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the operation of Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) on eight railway routes across Punjab. Survey work for the project has already begun, with teams from the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) completing the survey of the Shahdara-Narowal railway section.

Under the proposed MoU, both sides will undertake measures to improve and modernise railway infrastructure across Punjab. The provincial government has also allocated funds for the development of 40 parks along the railway track from Shahdara to Raiwind as part of efforts to improve the railway environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was a visionary leader with a strong commitment to public welfare. He said converting unmanned level crossings into manned crossings would significantly reduce railway accidents, while the introduction of DMUs would make public transport across Punjab faster, safer and more convenient.

Hanif Abbasi also appreciated the Punjab government’s support for Pakistan Railways, expressing confidence that the joint initiatives would contribute to the modernisation of the railway network and improve travel facilities for the public.

Lahore: A sessions court on Friday issued notice to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for July 21 on a post-arrest bail petition filed by YouTuber Rehan Tariq in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code relating to allegations of raising sensitive and controversial sectarian issues.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqui heard the petition.

During the proceedings, defence counsel Advocate Mian Dawood argued that his client was implicated in a false case. He contended that this was the first case in which post-arrest bail had been refused even though the alleged offences did not fall within the prohibitory clause. The counsel further submitted that the investigation had been completed and all recoveries had been made, yet the judicial magistrate had still rejected the bail application.

The defence requested the court to grant post-arrest bail to Rehan Tariq.

After hearing the preliminary arguments, the court issued notice to the NCCIA and adjourned further proceedings until July 21.

According to the FIR registered on June 25, the NCCIA booked Tariq under Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and Sections 153-A, 295-A and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The FIR alleges that Tariq hosted a podcast featuring a religious scholar in which highly sensitive and controversial sectarian issues were discussed, allegedly inciting controversy among followers of different sects.

Lahore: Millat Park Police on Friday arrested a man for allegedly displaying a firearm on social media and recovered an illegal pistol, ammunition and two magazines from his possession

According to police, the suspect, identified as Abdullah, was arrested near Arif Chowk during an operation after police traced photographs he had uploaded on social media showing him holding a pistol.

Police said the suspect could be seen carrying the weapon in multiple photographs posted online. During the operation, police recovered a pistol, bullets and two magazines from his possession.

A case has been registered against the accused, who has been handed over to the investigation wing for further legal proceedings.

Iqbal Town Division Superintendent of Police Sidra Khan appreciated the performance of Millat Park Police for the successful operation and said the display of firearms on social media was a punishable offence under the law.

She warned that strict legal action would continue against individuals involved in displaying weapons and promoting unlawful activities on social media.