Month: July 2026

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced an additional allocation of Rs 43. 2 billion this year for registered workers under the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card programme after Rs28 billion had already been disbursed to 1. 2 million registered workers through the scheme.

Official statement said here on Monday, the number of registered workers in Punjab had reached a record 1, 403, 063. So far, 1, 244, 130 registered workers had received Maryam Nawaz Ration Cards, while the printing of another 4, 984 cards was underway. The registered workers were obtaining essential commodities worth Rs3, 000 per month from 62, 000 shops across the province through the ration card programme.

The chief minister also approved the Ration Card Programme for the financial year 2026-27. More than 100, 000 workers associated with the Suthra Punjab programme were also benefiting from the initiative. Presiding over a meeting, the CM Punjab directed the authorities to further increase the number of registered workers in the province.

Labour Minister Manshaullah Butt and Secretary Labour Danish Afzal gave a detailed briefing on the programme. The chief minister said ensuring the financial protection of every laborer and worker was her responsibility and directed that the number of beneficiaries under the ration card project be further expanded.

Lahore: The Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI), in collaboration with the Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), organized an e-Procurement training session at the auditorium of Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital, Multan Road, here on Monday to strengthen institutional capacity and promote transparent, efficient, and digital procurement practices.

The training was conducted by PPRA experts, who provided PESSI officers with comprehensive guidance on modern public procurement procedures, the applicable legal and regulatory framework, and the operation of the e-Procurement system.

Participants also received hands-on training on key e-Procurement modules, including the tendering process, bid management, and the practical use of the online procurement platform.

PPRA Managing Director Sahbzadi Wasima Umar attended the session and delivered a lecture highlighting the role of digitalization in ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance in public procurement.

PESSI officers and officials actively participated in the interactive session, gaining practical knowledge and a better understanding of modern procurement practices designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and compliance.

The training forms part of the Punjab government’s broader digital transformation agenda, under which modern technology is being integrated into public institutions. Officials said the implementation of the e-Procurement system in Punjab Social Security would further streamline procurement procedures, improve transparency, and strengthen institutional governance.

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Energy Punjab, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, chaired a high-level meeting of the energy department and reviewed the progress on the Community Ecosystem-Based mall Hydropower Projects 2026 Framework, the utilization of untapped canal-based hydropower potential for clean and affordable electricity generation, and various renewable energy initiatives across the province.

During the meeting, the Minister was briefed that 40 potential sites had been identified for the development of small hydropower projects on Punjab’s canal network, where projects would be implemented in phases. A proposal to establish a hydropower project on the Lower Bari Doab Canal in Okara was also presented. Appreciating the proposal, the Minister directed the authorities concerned to accelerate practical progress on the project.

Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government was taking practical steps to promote renewable energy and provide affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly electricity to the people. He stated that harnessing the untapped hydropower potential of the province’s canal system would not only strengthen energy self-sufficiency but also stimulate economic activity and development in rural areas.

The Minister further observed that community-based small hydropower projects would create employment opportunities at the local level, support small businesses, and contribute significantly to strengthening the province’s energy security. He directed the relevant departments to expedite the implementation of all renewable energy projects so that their benefits could reach the public at the earliest.

The meeting also received a detailed briefing on the final draft of the Punjab Electric Power Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Bill 2026. It was informed that the summary for the establishment of EPRA had already been submitted to the Provincial Cabinet for approval, which would help ensure effective regulation of the power sector, enhance transparency, and promote investment in Punjab.

The participants were further informed that the Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) would provide a single-window facilitation mechanism for small hydropower projects to streamline approvals and expedite project implementation for investors and stakeholders. The meeting was attended by Secretary Energy Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti, Additional Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, heads of the Punjab Power Development Board, and chief executives of all companies operating under the Energy Department.

Lahore: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said on Monday that Punjab government’s decision to include the private sector in the industrial zoning process is a welcome step.

He said that industrialists in Lahore are currently facing major issues including a shortage of land, actions by various departments and relocation of industries.

Saigol said that the promotion of industries is essential for creating employment opportunities and strengthening the economy. However, under the current circumstances, it has become very difficult to establish a new industry or operate an existing one. He urged the government to resolve the problems of industrialists on a priority basis so that investment and industrial growth are not affected.

He was addressing a meeting on the identification of suitable land for the establishment of a Small Industrial Estate in Lahore. The meeting was attended by LCCI Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, former President Muhammad Ali Mian, Punjab Small Industries Corporation Regional Director Muzammil Hassan Chaudhry, Director Sabih Zaka, Assistant Director Legal Amjad Abbas Shah, Executive Committee members Ahad Amin Malik, Rana Nisar, Mohsin Bashir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Rana Shaban Akhtar, Syed Hassan Raza, and other representatives.

Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that the business community has faced several challenges during the past year, but industrial zoning and the relocation of industries have become the most important issues. He said that existing industrialists serve as an example for new investors, but when industrialists face problems on a daily basis, it discourages new investment.

He said Pakistan is rich in natural resources and countless employment opportunities can be created through industrial development. Referring to difficulties faced by industrialists from different government departments, he said that industrialists are often subjected to unnecessary problems.

Referring to the proposed industrial zone near Pindi Das, he said that around 300 industrial units could be established there. He suggested that at least 50 percent of the capacity should be reserved for industries that need to be relocated from their current locations.

The LCCI President said that although the relocation of industries from residential areas is necessary, the process should be carried out in consultation with industrialists and with due consideration for their convenience so that business activities are not affected.

On the occasion, Punjab Small Industries Corporation Regional Director Lahore, Muzammil Hassan Chaudhry, said that industrial zoning has become a necessity due to Lahore’s rapidly growing population and urban expansion. He said that when many industries were established, there were no nearby residential areas, but over time housing developments expanded around them, creating the need for modern industrial zones.

He said that industries should be shifted to suitable locations to ensure environmental protection, safety standards, and better facilities for citizens. He added that the objective of the Punjab Small Industries Corporation is to facilitate industrialists, create employment opportunities, and promote economic growth.

Muzammil Hassan Chaudhry said that the purpose of the meeting was to identify locations for new industrial zones through consultation with industrialists and to ensure the smooth relocation of industries. He assured participants that the suggestions of the business community would be taken into consideration while moving the project forward.

He further said that preliminary work on the proposed project near Pindi Das has already begun and various aspects are being reviewed. He expressed hope that industrialists would cooperate with the government in establishing new industrial zones, promoting investment, and creating new employment opportunities.

Lahore: Police have accelerated the ongoing operations for the repatriation of illegally residing Afghans, and arrested 2, 005 Afghans so far this year. According to the Lahore Police spokesperson, 1, 918 Afghans out of the arrested persons had been sent back to Afghanistan, while 31 people had been transferred to jail after legal proceeding, and another 56 illegal Afghans had been transferred to holding centers. CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamiana said that the evacuation of all illegal residents from the provincial capital was being ensured at all costs. He directed all divisional SPs to personally supervise the evacuation process in their respective areas. The CCPO Lahore further directed that the process of repatriation of Afghan nationals whose visas had expired should be further expedited to ensure effective implementation of government policy.

Lahore: Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kheal Das Kohistani on Monday said the government would take effective measures to resolve the administrative and legal issues facing the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in line with the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He made these remarks during a visit to the ETPB headquarters, where he was briefed by Chairman Qamar-uz-Zaman and senior officials about the board’s administrative, financial and development affairs.

The minister said the ETPB was performing an important role in preserving, renovating and maintaining historic temples, gurdwaras and other religious heritage sites, besides facilitating pilgrims visiting Pakistan from around the world.

Chairman Qamar-uz-Zaman informed the minister that the absence of a fully constituted board was creating difficulties in effectively managing administrative affairs. He also highlighted financial challenges, and said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had deducted Rs2 billion in taxes from the trust’s accounts, adversely affecting the board’s annual income and financial position.

Kheal Das assured the officials that issues relating to the board’s status as a trust institution, including tax deductions and other administrative challenges, would be addressed through effective and sustainable measures to further strengthen the institution and improve services for religious minorities.

During the briefing, ETPB Secretary Nasir Mushtaq said restoration and renovation work was under way at Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh in Peshawar, Gurdwara Bhai Karam Singh in Jhelum, Gurdwara Panja Sahib and Baoli Mandir in Narowal. He added that a comprehensive master plan was also being prepared for the restoration of Sadhu Bela Temple in Sukkur. The secretary said the board had introduced modern technologies, including satellite imagery, e-office, online billing, geo-tagging, a Management Information System (MIS) and digital solutions in collaboration with SUPARCO to improve governance and service delivery.

He further said the ETPB had launched an effective campaign against land grabbers and successfully retrieved several valuable trust properties from illegal occupants.