Month: July 2026

Lahore: Lahore Commissioner Marryam Khan on Monday directed district administrations across the division to intensify price monitoring, accelerate revenue reforms and ensure the timely completion of development projects in line with the Punjab government’s priorities.

She was chairing a divisional review meeting attended by deputy commissioners of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Nankana Sahib to assess progress on district performance indicators and public service delivery targets.

The deputy commissioners briefed the meeting on implementation of government initiatives and the performance of their respective districts.

Addressing the meeting, the commissioner directed revenue officers to work round the clock to expedite Khata/Khewat partition cases as part of the government’s revenue reforms programme. She also instructed all districts to maintain full focus on desilting operations and keep field teams fully mobilised.

Marryam Khan directed assistant commissioners, price control magistrates and enforcement teams to further strengthen price checking and market monitoring to ensure the availability of essential commodities at official rates. She said the Punjab government’s policy against profiteering was clear and that no leniency would be shown to those involved in overcharging or violating price control regulations.

The commissioner also stressed the importance of beautification projects, directing district administrations to maintain equal focus on both rural and urban areas. She instructed officials to complete development schemes in every tehsil within the prescribed timelines while ensuring quality standards.

She said revenue reforms and efficient municipal service delivery were equally important under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Among others, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Ali Ijaz, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Lahore Abdul Karim Chughtai, Additional Commissioner Rao Abdul Jabbar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Sheikhupura Usman Jalees, Deputy Commissioner Nankana Sahib Rao Tasleem Akhtar and Deputy Commissioner Kasur Asif Raza attended the meeting.

Lahore: The Punjab government has issued new orders regarding single-use plastic shopping bags for environmental protection and reduction of plastic pollution, which will come into effect from September 6, 2026.

According to the order issued by the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Imran Hameed Sheikh, shops, shopping malls, hotels and other commercial centers will not be able to charge any separate price or additional charge from customers for plastic shopping bags.

The order states that charging extra money for providing plastic shopping bags to consumers will be prohibited, while strict legal action will be taken against violators. Under the new rules, a fine of Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000 can be imposed for violation. In case of serious or persistent violation, action can also be taken to seal the relevant business and register an FIR.

Lahore: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem on Monday paid glowing tribute to the Punjab Police personnel who embraced martyrdom in a bomb blast while performing official duties in Islamabad 18 years ago.

According to a spokesperson, the IGP said the Punjab Police saluted the courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment of the brave officers and officials who laid down their lives in the line of duty, as well as their families.

“We salute the brave sons who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and their families,” the IGP said, reiterating the force’s resolve to honour the sacrifices of its martyrs.

The spokesperson said that on July 6, 2008, nine Punjab Police personnel embraced martyrdom in a bomb blast while on duty. The martyrs included one assistant sub-inspector (ASI), one head constable (HC) and seven constables.

The martyred police personnel were ASI Muhammad Nawaz, HC Atta Ullah, Constables Abid Rasheed, Khalid Mehmood, Babar Ali, Shahid Maqsood, Haq Nawaz, Amjad Iqbal and Qamar Abbas.

Lahore: The Punjab Excise Department has announced significant relief to citizens for timely payment of motor vehicle token tax.

According to the department’s announcement, citizens who submit token tax by August 31, 2026 will be given a 10 percent discount.

Similarly, the Excise Department said that citizens who pay token tax before the due date will not only be able to benefit from the 10 percent discount but will also be protected from the fine imposed in case of delay.

The department said that citizens can pay token tax online from home in a safe, transparent and easy manner through e-Pay Punjab.

Officials said that e-Pay Punjab is an important effort of the Punjab government to promote digital governance and provide modern online government payment facilities to the public. E-Pay Punjab is providing easy, secure and effective payment facilities to the citizens.

They urged the citizens to pay the token tax before August 31, 2026 and avail the 10 percent discount.

Lahore: Cotton production in Pakistan has all the ingredients to remain a powerful economic driver, strong genetic potential, large cultivation area, skilled farmers, and a massive textile industry that depends on local cotton.

Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Commercial Ambassador Adeel Munawar stated this in a meeting held here at PCJCCI Secretariat on Monday.

He, however, mentioned that Pakistan harvested 5.6 million bales of cotton last season, which is the lowest point in the past 30 years. “What holds the crop back is not a lack of ability but a lack of consistent, science-based field management. When growers follow the principles and correct sowing time, balanced nutrition, timely irrigation, IPM, disease prevention, weed control, growth stage-based decisions, and careful harvesting cotton responds immediately with higher boll load, cleaner fiber, and stronger yields.”

Commercial Ambassador shared that in research trials across Punjab and Sindh, the most significant performance gaps aren’t due to climate alone they’re due to management differences. Fields which maintain balanced nitrogen, avoid over-irrigation, manage whitefly pressure early, and prevent pink bollworm buildup consistently outperform neighboring farms planted with the same variety. This reinforces what scientists and experienced growers already know: Cotton Production in Pakistan is a management-driven crop, not a luck-driven one. Cotton responds sharply to temperature, humidity, and day length and each production zone in Pakistan has its own climate challenges. Understanding these zones isn’t optional; it’s the foundation of thoughtful planning.

He also shared that the heat resistance of Pakistani cotton is excellent. The high-yield and high-quality traits of Chinese cotton are also what Pakistan seeds need. The germplasm resources of China and Pakistan are complementary. China can send new cotton seeds to Pakistan for adaptability test and select the best ones and use them for production. “We are mixing the advantages of China cotton and Pakistan cotton to create new cotton varieties this is one of the microcosms of the ongoing China-Pakistan cotton collaboration.”

He added that Xinjiang Agricultural University collaborated with Pakistani universities in cotton cultivation for a few years. They have experimental fields in Faisalabad and plan to test mechanical picking in Pakistan. In North Xinjiang, one of the biggest cotton areas in China, the mechanization is 90 percent, they use machine picking everywhere, adding that drought-resistant and water-saving technologies in Xinjiang including drip irrigation and mulching are also leading the world. Such technologies and equipment can be transferred to Pakistan to assist them coping with the current dilemma. China and Pakistan need to assist each other to improve the cotton production together.

Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI added that a modern biotechnology center of excellence laboratory is about to be set up at CCRI to promote cotton research activities. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is opening new avenues for cotton research and development to solidify PCCC on modern scientific lines.

Lahore: Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, has proposed organizing a Portugal-Pakistan Business Forum during the upcoming visit of Portugal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs to Pakistan later this year, saying that the platform would bring together companies, investors, financial institutions and public authorities from both countries to transform business opportunities into concrete partnerships.

Addressing the business community during his visit to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Monday, the Ambassador added that the proposed forum should be organized jointly by the Embassy of Portugal, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Honorary Consulate of Portugal and other stakeholders to open a new chapter of economic cooperation between the two countries.

LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol warmly welcomed the Ambassador and termed his visit a significant step towards strengthening Pakistan-Portugal economic relations. LCCI Vice President Khurram Lodhi, former Senior Vice President Zafar Mehmood Chaudhry, Honorary Consul of Portugal Iftikhar Firoz and Executive Committee Members were also present.

Saigol said, Pakistan and Portugal have enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations since 1949 and there exists tremendous untapped potential to expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation. He said that Portugal, being an important member of the European Union, offers significant opportunities for Pakistani exporters and investors.

According to State Bank of Pakistan, he mentioned, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Portugal reached approximately 226 million dollars during 2024-25, with Pakistan’s exports amounting to around 206 million dollars against imports of about 20 million dollars. While the trade balance remains in Pakistan’s favour, he said, both countries should work towards increasing bilateral trade to at least two billion dollars.

He said, Pakistan’s exports to Portugal are mainly concentrated in textiles and apparel, agricultural products, leather goods and surgical instruments, but there is considerable potential to diversify exports by promoting information technology services, pharmaceuticals, engineering products, processed foods, sports goods, home appliances, halal food products and value-added agricultural products.

The LCCI President stressed the need for stronger business-to-business engagement through exchange of trade delegations, participation in international exhibitions and organization of joint investment forums. He also sought the support of the Embassy of Portugal in connecting the Lahore Chamber with Portuguese chambers of commerce, trade associations and investors while ensuring regular exchange of trade and investment-related information.

Referring to Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic role in the region, Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that Pakistan has consistently demonstrated its commitment to regional peace and stability through responsible diplomacy, further strengthening its international standing as a reliable and peace-loving country.

Ambassador Paulo Domingues said Portugal and Pakistan have enjoyed over 76 years of diplomatic relations built on mutual respect, trust and friendship, adding that the time has come to place economic diplomacy at the centre of bilateral relations.

He paid tribute to Portugal’s Honorary Consul in Lahore, Iftikhar Firoz, acknowledging his more than three decades of dedicated service in strengthening Portugal-Pakistan relations and facilitating valuable business and people-to-people connections.

The Ambassador said that the rapidly changing global economy, reconfigured supply chains and growing search for reliable business partners have created fresh opportunities for Portugal and Pakistan to work together as complementary economies rather than competitors.

He highlighted Portugal’s strengths as a modern, innovative and export-oriented economy, exporting to more than 200 markets worldwide and enjoying international recognition in textiles, footwear, renewable energy, engineering, information technology, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, food industries, tourism, automotive components, furniture, design and cork products.

Ambassador Domingues said Portugal offers investors political stability, legal certainty, a highly qualified workforce, world-class infrastructure and privileged access to the European Union’s market of around 450 million consumers. He added that Portugal also serves as a strategic bridge to Africa and Latin America through its longstanding historical, political and economic relations, particularly with Portuguese-speaking countries.

He said Portugal can become not only Pakistan’s gateway to Europe but also its strategic hub for expanding business across Europe, Africa and Latin America, offering Pakistani companies a unique platform for international growth.

The Ambassador described Pakistan as a country with enormous economic potential, a young population, a vibrant entrepreneurial culture, a strong industrial base and a rapidly growing digital economy. He said Lahore perfectly represents these strengths and expressed confidence that Portuguese technology, innovation and investment could be effectively combined with Pakistani manufacturing capabilities, entrepreneurship and talent.

Reaffirming the Embassy’s commitment to promoting economic diplomacy, Ambassador Paulo Domingues said the Embassy of Portugal would continue facilitating business contacts, identifying investment opportunities, connecting companies and supporting practical cooperation between the private sectors of both countries.

He urged Portuguese companies to view Pakistan beyond stereotypes and recognize its investment potential, while encouraging Pakistani entrepreneurs to consider Portugal as an attractive investment destination and a strategic platform for expanding into European, African and Latin American markets.