Day: August 1, 2026

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Minister reiterates govt commitment to ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities


Islamabad: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah on Friday said the government, under the vision of Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, was implementing comprehensive social protection programmes to ensure quality healthcare, education and sustainable livelihood opportunities for deserving citizens across the country.



The minister made these remarks during his visit to the headquarters of the Zakat Foundation of America in Chicago, where he was accompanied by Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago Zaman Mehdi, said a news release issued here.



Highlighting the performance of his ministry, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said institutions working under the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety were implementing targeted initiatives for poverty reduction, financial inclusion, skills development, healthcare, education and social welfare to improve the lives of vulnerable families.



Upon arrival, the minister was warmly received by Zakat Foundation of America Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Demir, Advisor Planning and Development, Farukh Raza and members of the Foundation’s team.



During the visit, Khalil Demir gave a detailed presentation on the Foundation’s global humanitarian work, informing the minister that the organization was operating in more than 40 countries. He said its programmes included orphan care, disaster relief, education for out-of-school children, provision of clean drinking water, skills development, rehabilitation services, mental health support and a broad range of humanitarian initiatives.



The federal minister thanked the Zakat Foundation of America for inviting him to participate in the Turkish Cultural Festival and lauded the organization’s humanitarian services around the world. He particularly appreciated the Foundation’s welfare initiatives in Pakistan and acknowledged its contribution to supporting vulnerable communities.



Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in poverty alleviation, human development and social welfare in Pakistan. At the conclusion of the visit, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah invited the leadership of the Zakat Foundation of America to visit Pakistan. Prominent members of the Pakistani diaspora in Chicago also attended the event.



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CM Maryam meets lawmakers from Bahawalnagar


Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday met members of the Provincial Assembly from Bahawalnagar and discussed the prevailing political situation, development projects and issues being faced by the people in their constituencies.



The lawmakers apprised the chief minister of public issues in their respective constituencies. CM Maryam Nawaz assured them that all genuine problems would be addressed.



The MPAs congratulated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) resounding success in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.



They also lauded her for launching 588 electric buses in all 36 districts of Punjab.



The lawmakers appreciated the chief minister’s initiative to provide clean drinking water across the province.



Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said she had pledged to take Punjab ahead of other provinces in good governance, information technology and development projects. ‘After the ‘Suthra Punjab’ programme, the clean drinking water project is very close to my heart,’ she said, adding that electric buses would soon be seen operating on roads in every district and tehsil of Punjab.



The MPAs said development work is visible across Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. They said that, as a woman chief minister, she had demonstrated effective control over law and order and crime across the province.



The meeting also covered matters relating to development projects and other issues of mutual interest.



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Punjab govt approves new selection mechanism for medical recruitment


Lahore: The Punjab government has approved a new selection mechanism for the recruitment of doctors, specialists and other medical experts in newly established government health centers and has decided to give appointment powers to special selection committees.



According to the official documents, recruitments will be made on a 2-year contract basis on BS-17 and above teaching, non-teaching, health establishment and other related medical posts on merit. Each selection committee will be headed by the executive director, principal or head of the institution concerned as convener, while the committee will include the commissioner of the concerned division or his representative, professor of the concerned department, senior representatives of the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education and the Department of Regulations Wing SandGAD.



The Department of Regulations Wing has given formal permission for this procedure, while the Department of Finance has made it clear that the financial resources required for these recruitments will be met from the annual budget of the concerned department and no additional financial burden will be imposed. The government’s position is that timely provision of quality medical facilities to the public will be ensured through prompt, transparent and merit-based recruitments in new health centers.



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CM Maryam grieved over loss of lives in Quetta coal mine blast


Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives in a blast at a coal mine in the Quetta area.



The Chief Minister prayed for the safety and well-being of the miners trapped inside the mine and expressed sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families.



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Interview dates for head teacher candidates announced


Lahore: Interview dates for candidates who passed the merit-based head teacher test have been announced. According to the School Education Department, the interviews will be held on August 4 and 5 at PECTA Head Office, Lahore.



A 9-member panel will conduct interviews for the candidates who pass the test, which will include Additional Secretary Schools Athar Saeed, Farooq Qamar, Muhammad Ijaz Joya, Naveed Deraat, Zahida Batool and Abdul Waheed Raza, among other officers.



According to the department, the candidates who are declared successful in the interview will be appointed as OPS heads in various government schools.



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Madar-e-Millat remembered on 133rd birth anniversary


Lahore: Madar-e-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah was remembered here and across the country on Friday as a fearless leader and the trusted sister and adviser of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on the occasion of her 133rd birth anniversary.



Born on July 31, 1893, in Karachi, she went on to become one of the most prominent leaders of the Pakistan Movement. She earned a degree in Dental Surgery from Calcutta and established her own dental clinic in Bombay, before dedicating herself to the political struggle alongside her brother.



She stood firmly beside Quaid-e-Azam throughout the Pakistan Movement, playing a vital role in awakening political awareness among Muslim women and mobilising them for the cause. In 1937, she founded the All India Muslim League Women’s Committee, which proved instrumental in spreading the movement’s message among women across the Subcontinent.



Following the creation of Pakistan in 1947, she worked tirelessly for the rehabilitation of refugees and the provision of medical assistance. In later years, she emerged as a champion of democratic values, notably challenging the military rule.



The nation continues to remember her national, democratic, and social services with deep respect and gratitude, with her efforts remaining a beacon of light for generations.