Day: July 30, 2026

Lahore: Textile and Leather Division of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), in collaboration with Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD), Lahore, successfully concluded a Two-Day Capacity Building Training Programme and seminar for members of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at PIFD campus here on Wednesday.

The initiative aimed to enhance competitiveness and export readiness of women entrepreneurs, SMEs, startups, boutique owners and emerging fashion professionals.The programme was organized as a follow-up to the recommendations of the LCCI Standing Committee on Fashion and Boutique, reflecting the shared commitment of TDAP, LCCI and PIFD to strengthen Pakistan’s fashion ecosystem through institutional collaboration and export-oriented capacity building.

More than 90 participants, both in person and online, attended practical sessions conducted by PIFD’s distinguished faculty on Fashion Forecasting and Trend Analysis and Pattern Making Challenges: Understanding Garment Sizing and Fit, equipping them with valuable insights into international fashion trends, product development and global market requirements.

The programme concluded with an engaging panel discussion on ‘Women in the Business of Fashion – Present Challenges and Future Opportunities,’ featuring Ms. Fouzia P. Chaudhry, Additional Secretary, TDAP; Prof. Hina Tayyaba Khalil, Vice Chancellor, PIFD; Ms. Aasia Saail, Founder/Director, LAMA; and Ms. Sahar Atif, Founder and Creative Director, Sahar Atif Studios. The panel highlighted opportunities in entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, branding, digital transformation and export growth.

The certificate distribution ceremony was graced by LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol as chief guest. He appreciated the collaborative efforts of TDAP and PIFD in organizing a meaningful capacity-building initiative and emphasized the importance of sustained institutional partnerships to strengthen Pakistan’s fashion industry and expand its global footprint.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Mehwish Khadim, TDAP Director (Textile and Leather), reaffirmed TDAP’s commitment to promoting exports through capacity building, market intelligence, international exhibitions, trade delegations, B2B networking and strategic partnerships. She emphasized that women entrepreneurs, SMEs and startups are central to Pakistan’s economic growth and export diversification.

Certificates were awarded to participants who successfully completed the programme, while shields were presented to the Chief Guest and distinguished guests in recognition of their valuable contributions.

The successful completion of this collaborative initiative marks another milestone in TDAP’s ongoing efforts to build the capacity of Pakistan’s fashion industry and create greater export opportunities for women entrepreneurs, SMEs and startups through strong partnerships with academia and the private sector.

Lahore: Light to moderate rain occurred in the provincial capital on Wednesday subsided humidity level, while the Met office predicted more showers during next couple of days in the province including the city.

According to a spokesperson of Pakistan Meteorological Department, a Deep Depression lies over Chhattisgarh (India) and is likely to move westwards across northeast Madhya Pradesh (India) during the next 18 to 24 hours. Light to moderate moist currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are penetrating the upper parts of the country at lower atmospheric levels. A shallow westerly wave is also affecting the upper parts of the country.

Under the influence of this weather system, rain-wind/thundershowers (with scattered heavy falls at times very heavy) is expected in Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpurthal, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Pakpattan till 04th August with occasional gaps.

Most parts of the city including Tajpura, Laxmi Chowk, Qartaba Chowk, Mall Roar, Jail Road, Mughalpura, Chowk Nakhuda, Johar Town, Shadipura, Manawan and Upper Mall received light to moderate rain.

Lahore: National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab arrested four suspects from Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan during a province-wide crackdown against online harassment, blackmail and misuse of social media on Wednesday.

According to NCCIA spokesperson, the agency arrested Haroon Qureshi in Lahore, who was allegedly involved in repeatedly harassing women through various social media platforms, issuing threats and causing mental distress. Digital evidence recovered from the suspect was being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

In Faisalabad, NCCIA arrested Abdul Rehman and Muhammad Ayaz. Initial investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly blackmailed a married couple using objectionable material and extorted money from them. During the raid, officials recovered two mobile phones, WhatsApp numbers and objectionable digital content related to multiple women, which had been sent for forensic analysis to identify additional victims and possible links.

In a separate operation in Multan, the agency arrested Farhad Abbas on charges of sharing a woman’s photographs and videos on social media and blackmailing her. Investigators were reviewing the suspect’s digital record to identify possible accomplices and other victims.The spokesperson said forensic examination of the recovered digital evidence was underway in all cases and investigations were being conducted in accordance with legal requirements.The NCCIA urged the public, particularly women, to immediately report incidents of online harassment, blackmail, fake social media accounts or any other cybercrime so that timely legal action could be taken against those responsible.

Lahore: Punjab Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, on Wednesday termed the Chief Minister Punjab’s honorarium programme for imams a highly commendable initiative, saying the government is committed to working closely with religious scholars to maintain peace and strengthen public order across the province.

He expressed these views while addressing a meeting with a delegation of Ittehad Tanzeem Madaris, led by Secretary General Wifaq Al-Madaris Al-Arabiya Pakistan, Maulana Qari Hanif Jalandhari, at the Home Department. The meeting was held as part of an ongoing series of consultations with religious scholars on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

The meeting reviewed the overall law and order situation in Punjab and discussed the registration of madrassas.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said consultations with scholars from all schools of thought are continuing under the leadership of the Chief Minister. He described the meeting with the senior leadership of Ittehad Tanzeem Madaris as highly productive and expressed optimism that further progress would be made in the next round of discussions in light of the recommendations presented regarding madrassa registration.

He said religious scholars from all schools of thought have demonstrated unity for the sake of peace and stability in Punjab. Stressing the need for national unity, the minister said all differences must be set aside to work collectively for the security and prosperity of Pakistan, adding that scholars across all schools of thought are on the same page regarding the country’s security.

Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi said the provincial government is maintaining close coordination with all stakeholders to ensure lasting peace. He acknowledged the significant role of religious scholars in promoting harmony and appreciated their full cooperation during Muharram in maintaining law and order across the province.

Speaking on the occasion, Maulana Qari Hanif Jalandhari assured the Punjab government of continued cooperation for safeguarding the country’s peace and security. He said scholars from all schools of thought would continue to promote unity and ensure compliance with the law. He also appreciated the Punjab government’s measures aimed at strengthening public order.

Special prayers were offered at the conclusion of the meeting for the peace, security and prosperity of Pakistan and its people.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Special Secretary Faisal Farid, Syed Tahir Raza Bukhari, Director General Auqaf Hafiz Anisur Rehman, Chief Coordination Officer Ghulam Saghir Shahid, Additional Secretary Special Initiatives Abdul Rauf, senior officers of the Special Branch and Counter Terrorism Department, along with representatives of major religious boards, including Director General Tanzeem Al-Madaris Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan Sahibzada Muhammad Mustafa Hazarvi, Maulana Muhammad Yasin Zafar of Wifaq Al-Madaris Al-Salafiya, Hafiz Syed Qutab of Rabitat Al-Madaris Al-Islamiya Pakistan, Maulana Lal Hussain Tohidi of Wifaq Al-Madaris Al-Shia Pakistan, Hafiz Muhammad Amjad, Hafiz Asad Obaid of Jamia Ashrafia and other scholars.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday approved the construction of 800 additional mini dams in the Potohar region over the next three years to enhance rainwater harvesting and strengthen the province’s long-term water conservation strategy.

Chairing a meeting on the Transformation of Agriculture and Water Management, here on Wednesday, the CM reviewed progress on water conservation and groundwater management. She was informed that 110 mini dams had already been completed across Punjab under the government’s water preservation initiative.

CM Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to prepare a comprehensive plan for developing surface water bodies to maximise rainwater storage and called for further strengthening of the legal framework governing groundwater management.

The meeting decided to deploy dedicated human resources for water conservation and monitoring, while the agriculture, irrigation, housing and local government departments were directed to work in close coordination to promote efficient water management across the province.

The CM approved the construction of 800 new mini dams in Potohar, which were expected to create storage capacity of 32,000 acre-feet of rainwater over the next three years.

Reviewing agricultural support measures, the meeting also decided to provide 1,000 laser land levellers to farmers at a 50 per cent subsidy during the current financial year to improve land productivity and water-use efficiency.

Photographic evidence of recently completed mini dams in Attock, Talagang, Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi was presented during the meeting.

Addressing participants, the CM said prosperous nations were those that valued and protected every drop of water, stressing that water conservation was essential for ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural growth.

Officials informed the meeting that a comprehensive strategy had been prepared to reduce 30 per cent water losses during conveyance and 25 per cent losses during on-farm use across Punjab.

The briefing further revealed that lining of 2,600 watercourses covering 7,000 kilometres had been completed, resulting in 20 per cent water savings. Over the next three years, another 4,500 watercourses, spanning 11,500 kilometres, would be rehabilitated and lined.

The meeting was informed that the adoption of high-efficiency irrigation systems had already saved 18,000 acre-feet of water while increasing crop yields by 50 per cent. An additional 30,000 acres would be brought under modern drip and sprinkler irrigation systems during the next three years.

Officials also informed the chief minister that 100 groundwater recharge wells were already operational in the Gujranwala, Gujrat and Lahore divisions, while another 300 wells were nearing completion.

Lahore: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol has urged the federal government, the Ministry of Interior, and relevant authorities to take practical steps to further improve passenger facilities, traffic flow, and administrative arrangements at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore.

He, however, appreciated the efforts of the Federal Interior Minister and the airport administration, saying that significant improvements have been made over the past few years in airport management, security systems, and passenger services. These improvements have benefited citizens and helped project a positive image of Pakistan.

He said in a media statement here Wednesday that the increasing number of international flights, especially between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., has led to heavy congestion in the airport’s departure area. Under the current situation, there is only one drop-off lane, which causes passengers to face long delays. This not only wastes time but also increases the risk of passengers missing their flights.

The LCCI President suggested the construction of additional drop-off lanes on the departure road to improve traffic flow and ensure that passengers can reach the airport terminal on time. He noted that major airports in developed countries successfully operate with two or three drop-off lanes, which significantly reduces traffic congestion.

Saigol also emphasized the need for further improvements in the parking system. He suggested introducing a limited-time parking policy in the departure area. Under this system, vehicles would be issued a token upon entry, and a penalty would be imposed if they remain parked beyond the allowed time. According to him, this measure would discourage unnecessary parking, improve traffic flow, and increase government revenue.

Regarding security arrangements, he appreciated the services of the Airport Security Force and other relevant agencies, stating that passenger safety should remain the top priority. However, he suggested that vehicles requiring detailed inspection should be moved to a designated inspection area separate from the main queue. This would help maintain security standards while preventing unnecessary delays for other passengers.

The LCCI President said that an airport creates the first impression of any country. Tourists, investors, business visitors, and overseas Pakistanis form their initial opinion about the country based on the airport’s facilities and management. Therefore, establishing a modern, organized, and passenger-friendly airport is of national importance.

He expressed hope that the relevant authorities would seriously consider these proposals so that the performance of Lahore Airport can be further improved, passengers and airport staff can enjoy greater convenience, and Pakistan’s international image can be strengthened further.