Month: July 2026

Lahore: It has been decided to relocate Journalists Colony Phase-II from Katar Band Road to J Block of the Chahar Bagh Scheme, where the project will be developed in accordance with the previously approved master plan.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) on Wednesday, jointly chaired by RUDA Chief Executive Officer Imran Amin and Punjab Information Secretary Tahir Raza Hamdani. The meeting reviewed the proposed relocation, assessed progress on the project and took key decisions to ensure its timely completion.

Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, General Secretary Afzal Talib, Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation (PJHF) Deputy Managing Director Adnan Rashid, PJHF Assistant Director (Admin) Asad Hussain, RUDA Director Public Relations Colonel Abid Latif and other senior officials attended the meeting.

To expedite implementation, it was decided that the PJHF would immediately provide RUDA with a list of journalists eligible for Phase-II plots. Upon receiving the list, RUDA will formally notify the eligible journalists, enabling the next stages of the project to proceed without delay.

The meeting further decided that the project in J Block of the Chahar Bagh Scheme would be executed under the previously approved master plan. Advance payments and instalments would be collected in accordance with the existing agreement, while development charges would be collected directly by RUDA. The rules and regulations applicable to Journalists Colony Phase-II would continue to apply to all eligible journalists.

Secretary Information Tahir Raza Hamdani thanked RUDA CEO Imran Amin for his efforts to provide housing facilities to journalists in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He expressed confidence that RUDA would complete the development work, hand over possession of the plots and finalise all remaining stages of the project within the stipulated timeframe, enabling journalists to construct their homes.

Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari also thanked Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, Secretary Information Tahir Raza Hamdani and RUDA CEO Imran Amin.

He said the Punjab government has fulfilled its commitment to the journalist community and that the Phase-II project announced for Lahore Press Club members is now moving rapidly towards completion.

He welcomed the relocation of Journalists Colony Phase-II to Chahar Bagh, describing it as a beautiful location within the city, and said the entire journalist community appreciated the Punjab government’s initiative. He also congratulated all journalists included in Phase-II.

Lahore: Pakistan should make energy security its foremost national priority by seeking US guarantees for uninterrupted and affordable gas imports from Iran, provided Washington and Tehran resolve tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, said prominent Pakistani-American entrepreneur Mossadaq Chughtai in a media statement here Tuesday.

He added, “To break free from energy insecurity, Islamabad must pursue a single-point agenda: secure a US-led international exception for gas imports under the Iran-Pakistan pipeline.”Chughtai, an investor in advanced technologies and agricultural projects, argued that expediting the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline represents the most practical path toward reducing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and stabilizing its economy.

Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagement, he said, should now translate into tangible economic gains with energy security serving as the foundation for long-term growth. While acknowledging the importance of diversifying energy sources, Chughtai said Pakistan should prioritize the most affordable option available – Iranian natural gas.

“The Middle East is likely to remain in prolonged turmoil, with no major power willing to compromise. Stability, let alone business as usual, remains a distant prospect. Even if the region stabilizes, energy producers will increase output to recover losses, but Iran is expected to remain among the most competitive suppliers due to its large production capacity and established international buyers,” he observed.

Mossadaq Chughtai, Vice Chairman of KiNRG, a US-based energy company that recently acquired a data-center construction firm to expand its integrated energy solutions business, said Pakistan had been presented with a rare opportunity. “I believe Pakistan has been presented with a rare opportunity that could take the country to unprecedented levels of economic growth, beyond anything in its modern history,” he viewed.

He identified the proposed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, entering through the Gabd-Kumb Border Crossing, as the country’s most significant strategic energy project, noting that the pipeline had already been completed on the Iranian side of the border.

“If there is one strategic initiative Pakistan should pursue, it is the proposed gas pipeline from Iran, entering through the Gabd-Kumb Border Crossing,” Chughtai said. The project has the potential to transform Pakistan’s economy, provided it was implemented with strategic foresight and long-term discipline.

Chughtai proposed that Pakistan seek a non-revocable 50-year US sanctions waiver to ensure uninterrupted gas imports from Iran. He also called for a long-term pricing agreement with Tehran, suggesting a gas price capped at USD 2.25 per MMBtu, with a maximum ceiling of USD 5.00 per MMBtu over the 50-year period.

He further recommended establishing a domestic pricing framework that would limit consumer and industrial gas tariffs to no more than 10 percent above the government’s procurement cost. Such a policy, he argued, would improve the competitiveness of Pakistani manufacturers and exporters in global markets.

“If executed effectively, such a framework could fundamentally reshape Pakistan’s economic trajectory by accelerating manufacturing growth, attracting mid to large scale investment, and increasing exports to levels comparable to Vietnam’s within five to ten years,” Chughtai said.

He projected that the strategy could create more than 11 million jobs, broaden the tax base, support sustained GDP growth, and deliver long-term economic prosperity.

“Now is the time for Pakistan to open a dialogue with the White House to secure reliable energy supplies capable of meeting the country’s growing development needs in an evolving regional environment filled with both opportunities and challenges,” he concluded.

Lahore: Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) Commissioner Zulfiqar Ali Kharal on Wednesday reviewed the recovery performance of several Social Security directorates and directed officers to ensure timely achievement of assigned targets through enhanced monitoring and field inspections.

Chairing a meeting at the PESSI head office here, the commissioner reviewed the performance of the Social Security Directorates of Lahore (City), Sheikhupura, Faisalabad (North), Gujrat and Sialkot.

The directors concerned briefed the meeting on recovery targets, progress under the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Programme and ongoing field operations.

Following an individual performance review of each directorate, Kharal directed the officers to adopt effective measures to complete recovery targets within the stipulated timeframe. He also ordered further strengthening of field monitoring and expediting inspections to improve compliance and performance.

The commissioner stressed that all officers should take practical steps to improve administrative efficiency and ensure the achievement of assigned recovery goals.

Warning that negligence in meeting recovery targets would not be tolerated, Kharal urged all directorates to further improve their performance through effective field operations and continuous monitoring.

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.