Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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Deep-cleaning drive ordered across all public hospitals


Rawalpindi: Following directives from the Chief Minister of Punjab, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Abdul Rehman Khan ordered Medical Superintendents (MS) of allied hospitals on Friday to launch an immediate deep-cleaning and disinfection drive across all tertiary care and Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) hospitals in the district.



Chairing a virtual review meeting with healthcare administrators, ADC Abdul Rehman instructed officials to ensure thorough washing, sanitization, and infection-control treatment of all wards, Outpatient Departments (OPDs), emergency units, operation theatres, ICUs, corridors, and washrooms.



He directed all Medical Superintendents to personally supervise the sanitation campaign and submit compliance reports to the district administration upon completion. He also reiterated zero tolerance for any lapses in hospital hygiene and patient safety



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IFMP Board approves relocation to Islamabad to drive national financial literacy initiative


Islamabad: The Board of Directors of the Institute of Financial Markets of Pakistan (IFMP) has approved the relocation of the Institute’s head office to Islamabad as part of a major strategic transformation.



The move is aimed at for making IFMP the country’s premier institution for financial market education, continues professional training, and capacity building. The Institute will, however, maintain a regional office in Karachi, said a press releas issued by the SECP on Friday.



The Board unanimously elected Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), as Chairperson of the IFMP Board, while Muhammad Ali Farid Khawaja, Commissioner, Securities Market Division (SMD), SECP, joined the Board as SECP’s nominee member.



The meeting was attended by Dr. Mubbashar Sadiq, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), IFMP; Jawad Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX); Shariq Jaffrani, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Central Depository Company (CDC); Dr. Ahmed Junaid, Dean, Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL); Shahrukh Usmani, Company Secretary, IFMP; and Mr. Ahmad Javed, Manager Finance, IFMP.



Addressing the meeting, Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said that with 64-67% of Pakistan’s population under 30, the country has immense potential to expand financial inclusion, retail investment, entrepreneurship, and employment.



He said SECP has set a target of increasing Pakistan’s capital market investor base from around 500,000 to 2.5 million, emphasizing that financial literacy and skills development will be fundamental to achieving this objective.



He said IFMP will lead a nationwide financial literacy initiative by taking financial education to schools, universities, and professional communities across Pakistan.



The Institute will equip youth and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the formal financial sector, strengthen investor confidence, and impart professional courses to develop qualified human capital for the capital market and insurance industries.



Commissioner SECP Mr. Muhammad Ali Farid Khawaja said the Pakistan Stock Exchange must expand its reach across Pakistan, noting that a growing number of new investors are emerging from Punjab and other regions of the country.



He said IFMP will significantly expand its mandate by introducing free online financial literacy courses, continuous professional development programmes, certification courses for capital market and insurance intermediaries, and specialized industry training to build a skilled financial services workforce.



The Board also placed on record its appreciation for the valuable contributions of outgoing SECP nominee directors Mr. Osman Syed and Dr. Yasir Mahmood, and acknowledged the dedicated leadership of Mr. Shoaib Javed Hussain during his tenure as Chairperson of the IFMP Board.



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Over 4.84m driving licenses issued across province


Lahore: Punjab Police issued more than 4.843 million driving licenses across the province during the current year as part of efforts to improve compliance with traffic laws and promote road safety.



According to spokesperson on Friday, more than 5.83 million traffic challans had been issued for violations of traffic rules, resulting in fines exceeding Rs 11.16 billion.



As part of the anti-smog campaign, traffic police also issued challans to 45,881 smoke-emitting vehicles, impounded 6,871 vehicles at police stations and confiscated the fitness certificates of 28 vehicles, the spokesperson added.



Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem directed all field formations to continue strict enforcement against traffic law violators and ensure effective implementation of amended traffic laws, reforms and modern traffic management systems.



He ordered the continuation of the crackdown against overloading, overspeeding, underage drivers and one-way traffic violations, directing officers to take strict and indiscriminate action against offenders.



The IGP also instructed the authorities concerned to adopt effective measures for the recovery of outstanding traffic fines from defaulters, reiterating that ensuring road safety through effective enforcement of traffic laws remained a key priority of Punjab Police.



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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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DC chairs District Petrol Pump Committee meeting


Gujrat: Deputy Commissioner Gujrat Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi chaired a meeting of the District Petrol Pump Committee to review applications for the establishment of new petrol pumps in the district.



According to official sources, the committee approved the establishment of a new petrol pump in Sarai Alamgir after all legal and technical requirements were found to be complete.



The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Qurrat-ul-Ain, Chief Officer Municipal Committee Sarai Alamgir Azmat Warraich and officers of the relevant departments.



The deputy commissioner directed the Chief Officer of the Municipal Committee Sarai Alamgir to ensure the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging ports at the new petrol pump to facilitate the growing use of electric vehicles.



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SPA DG visits Ferozewala flood relief camp


Lahore: The Suthra Punjab Authority, in collaboration with the district administration, has intensified sanitation and relief operations in flood-affected areas under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Suthra Punjab vision.



According to a press release issued here on Friday, Suthra Punjab Authority Director General Umer Javed, visited a flood relief camp in Ferozewala to review sanitation services and assess field arrangements made for public relief. During the visit, DG inspected the performance of Suthra Punjab workers deployed on sanitation duties and directed the relevant officers to remain present in the field to ensure strict monitoring of ongoing cleaning operations.



He also instructed officials to further improve cleanliness operations, strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure the uninterrupted provision of quality sanitation services to residents in flood-hit areas.



Umer Javed said the district administration and the Suthra Punjab Authority were working round the clock to maintain sanitation and provide relief in flood-affected localities. He added that all available resources were being utilised to facilitate the affected communities.



He also met Suthra Punjab’s frontline workers in Ferozewala and commended their dedication and commitment to operational activities and public service, encouraging them to continue their efforts in serving flood-affected communities.