Month: July 2026

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Law Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan on Wednesday attended the closing ceremony of a two-month internship programme organised by PhysioGrow Clinic and Academy at the Committee Room of the New Ministers’ Block as chief guest. He distributed certificates among the interns who successfully completed the programme.

The ceremony was hosted by renowned physiotherapist and PhysioGrow Clinic and Academy Founder Dr Zahid Mirza. Dr Umm-e-Roman, faculty members, physiotherapists, students and distinguished guests from various walks of life also attended the event.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Zahid Mirza highlighted the academy’s objectives and its role in providing professional training and enhancing the practical skills of young physiotherapists. He said the two-month internship programme was designed to equip participants with modern clinical knowledge, hands-on experience and effective patient-care skills to help them excel in their professional careers.

Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister for Law Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan congratulated the successful interns and said that the youth were Pakistan’s greatest asset and the country’s bright future. He emphasised that providing quality education, professional training and practical exposure to young professionals was the need of the hour.

The minister said physiotherapy was not merely a profession but a noble mission to serve humanity. He observed that whenever a person with a disability regained mobility, a stroke patient walked again or an injured individual returned to a normal life, the dedication, expertise and compassion of physiotherapists played a vital role in making such recoveries possible.

Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to promoting the physiotherapy profession, creating greater public awareness about its importance and addressing the challenges faced by physiotherapists. He assured the participants that he would extend all possible support, including through legislative initiatives where required, to strengthen rehabilitation services within the healthcare system.

The minister also appreciated the valuable contributions of Dr Zahid Mirza, Dr Umm-e-Roman and the entire team of PhysioGrow Clinic and Academy for their efforts to train young physiotherapists and develop skilled healthcare professionals. He said institutions such as PhysioGrow were playing an important role in improving healthcare services and preparing a competent workforce for the future.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the minister distributed certificates among the successful interns and extended his best wishes for their future careers, urging them to continue serving humanity with professionalism, dedication and integrity.

Lahore: City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) on Wednesday issued a public advisory urging motorists and commuters to exercise caution as the city experienced heavy rainfall under the fourth spell of the monsoon season.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi advised motorists to drive at a safe speed, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and avoid sudden braking on slippery roads.

He urged motorcyclists to wear helmets and refrain from unnecessary overtaking during rain to minimize the risk of accidents.

The CTO advised citizens to assess the depth of accumulated rainwater before attempting to cross flooded roads and avoid driving through submerged streets.

He also urged the public to stay away from electricity poles, transformers, feeders and other electrical installations during rain, and to immediately report fallen or damaged power lines to the relevant authorities.

Shirazi further advised citizens to avoid taking shelter near trees, weak walls, signboards and under-construction structures during adverse weather conditions.

He urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and check traffic conditions before leaving home.

The CTO said traffic wardens had been deployed at major roads, underpasses and low-lying areas to ensure smooth traffic flow and assist commuters. He also urged motorists to cooperate with WASA teams and traffic police at locations where rainwater had accumulated.

He said that observing simple safety precautions could help prevent accidents and save precious lives during the ongoing monsoon season.

Lahore: Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra has directed strict enforcement against businesses failing to implement the Electronic Invoice Monitoring System (EIMS).

While chairing a meeting to review the Authority’s divisional performance in business registration, EIMS implementation and tax collection here Wednesday, the Chairman directed field officers to accelerate the campaign for the mandatory implementation of EIMS and intensify efforts to register new businesses and bring them into the tax net. He emphasised that broadening the tax base and ensuring compliance remain key priorities of the Authority.

The Chairman further directed that complaints regarding the issuance of fake, unauthorised or QR code-less invoices be addressed without delay and that heavy penalties be imposed on violators in accordance with the law. He warned that businesses involved in tax evasion or other violations of tax laws would remain under continuous monitoring.

He underscored that the promotion of digital tax systems is essential for enhancing transparency, improving taxpayer services and increasing provincial revenue. He stated that effective enforcement, coupled with digitalisation, is indispensable for strengthening tax administration and ensuring sustainable growth in tax collection.

Lahore: Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Tahir Farooq has directed officials to ensure that property transfer cases in LDA City are completed within 24 hours, describing the growing number of transfer applications as an encouraging sign.

The directive was issued during his visit to the LDA Avenue One Citizen Facilitation Centre and various blocks of the housing scheme on Wednesday.

During the surprise visit, the DG interacted with citizens visiting the facilitation centre for property transfers, building period extensions and other services. He sought feedback on the quality of services and instructed the Director Avenue One to ensure maximum convenience for the public.

Later, the DG inspected the under-construction park in H Block of LDA Avenue One, where officials briefed him on ongoing development works. They informed him that a 47-kanal park is being developed under a sustainable development model, while construction of eight new parks across the housing scheme is progressing rapidly.

Lahore: Lahore General Hospital (LGH) organised a hepatitis awareness walk on Wednesday as part of a determined campaign to eliminate the disease from Punjab under the health vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The walk was led by Principal of Ameer-ud-Din Medical College, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Farooq Afzal, and witnessed the participation of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff carrying placards highlighting the importance of early screening and prevention.

Addressing the participants and media, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Farooq Afzal said timely screening and early diagnosis remain the most effective tools to prevent hepatitis and reduce its devastating impact. He said LGH is providing free diagnostic and treatment facilities for hepatitis patients, including medical check-ups, laboratory tests, medicines and comprehensive care under the Punjab government’s healthcare initiatives. He reiterated that PGMI and LGH would continue their efforts until Punjab becomes a hepatitis-free province.

He called upon the media, civil society, healthcare institutions and the public to play an active role in creating awareness, saying that thousands of lives could be saved through timely diagnosis and preventive measures.

Prof. Dr. Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab described hepatitis B and C as “silent killers,” explaining that the diseases often remain symptomless in their early stages. He urged every healthy individual to undergo regular screening and warned that hepatitis spreads through unsafe blood transfusions, reused syringes and non-sterile dental instruments.

Health experts said nearly 10 million Pakistanis are living with hepatitis B or C, while thousands die every year due to liver cancer and liver failure caused by the disease. They said common symptoms include persistent fatigue, weakness, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right abdomen and dark-coloured urine.

The experts stressed that hepatitis can largely be prevented through six-monthly screening, completion of the three-dose hepatitis B vaccination course, use of disposable syringes, transfusion of properly screened blood, avoiding the sharing of personal items such as razors, toothbrushes and nail cutters, and ensuring that circumcision and dental procedures are carried out only at certified healthcare facilities. They also emphasised the need for strict monitoring of beauty salons to prevent the spread of infections.

Medical Superintendent LGH, Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain, said the hospital’s dedicated hepatitis clinic is fully operational and providing free testing and treatment facilities to patients.

At the conclusion of the event, Associate Prof. Dr. Ghiyas-ul-Hassan thanked the organisers, participants and media representatives for supporting the awareness campaign. He said public awareness remains the strongest weapon against hepatitis and affirmed that PGMI and LGH would continue organising such initiatives until Punjab is free from the disease.

The awareness walk was attended by Prof. Dr. Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab, Medical Superintendent Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain, Dr. Ghiyas-ul-Hassan, Dr. Shafqat Rasool, Dr. Waqas Shabbir, Dr. Abdul Aziz, Dr. Mukarram Bajwa, along with a large number of gastroenterology specialists, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff.

Lahore: Acting on the directives of Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing has intensified its operation against illegally commercialized buildings and properties defaulting on commercialization fees.

During a large-scale enforcement drive carried out on Tuesday, LDA teams sealed 105 properties in various housing schemes and LDA-controlled areas.

The operation covered Gulberg, Faisal Town, Gulshan Ravi, Canal Road, Poonch Road, Mustafa Town and Azam Town. According to the LDA spokesperson, 31 properties in Gulberg and Faisal Town were sealed for unauthorized commercial use.

Another 53 properties located in Gulshan Ravi, Canal Road and Poonch Road were sealed for illegal commercial activities and non-payment of commercialization fees. Meanwhile, 21 properties in Mustafa Town and Azam Garden were sealed during a recovery operation against fee defaulters.

The sealed properties included private schools, bakeries, beauty salons, hardware stores, marble and building material outlets, caf©s, restaurants, food points, pharmacies, grocery and electrical stores, real estate offices, clinics, auto workshops, shops and offices.

The operation was supervised by Chief Town Planner-I Asad Uz Zaman. The LDA said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial establishments and commercialization fee defaulters will continue.