Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Posted on

FDA sells 284 plots to FESCO for 2. 3476 billion


Faisalabad: The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening its financial position and institutional resources by selling a total of 284 residential plots comprising 10-marla and one-kanal areas in various blocks of FDA City to Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) for Rs. 2. 3476 billion.



An FDA spokesman said here on Saturday that under the agreement, the first installment cheque of Rs. 586 million was presented to Director General FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhary by FESCO Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Amir during a formal ceremony held in the presence of Divisional Commissioner Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh.



The ceremony was attended by Additional Director General FDA Qaiser Abbas Rind, Chief Engineer Mehr Ayub, Directors Suhail Maqsood Pannu, Junaid Hassan Manj, Yasir Ejaz Chattha, Afnan Saeed Sandhu, and other senior officers of FDA and FESCO.



Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh lauded FDA’s innovative and effective initiative aimed at achieving financial sustainability.



He said that modern public institutions can only become stronger, self-reliant, and sustainable by creating new revenue streams.



He appreciated FDA’s strategic planning, transparency, and foresight, stating that the authority had introduced a model that could serve as an example for other development agencies.



Divisional Commissioner said that the agreement would not only significantly strengthen FDA’s financial resources but also accelerate urban development projects, improve civic amenities and facilitate the timely completion of ongoing development schemes.



He also appreciated FESCO’s decision to provide its employees with a secure, modern, and high-quality residential environment, saying the initiative would positively impact employee welfare and institutional performance.



He expressed hope that cooperation between the two organizations would continue to grow, creating more opportunities for public service.



Briefing the Divisional Commissioner, Director General FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhary said the authority had explored various business models to enhance financial resources and institutional self-reliance, with the sale of FDA City plots to FESCO emerging as the most effective strategy.



He said that the project received formal approval from the FDA Board of Governors, while all legal, financial, and administrative requirements were fulfilled with complete transparency.



He explained that the selected plots were initially proposed for sale to the general public on easy four-year installment plans. However, FESCO’s offer for a bulk purchase proved to be more beneficial for the authority, and after completing all legal and procedural formalities, the agreement was successfully finalized.



DG FDA said that immediate financial resources generated through the agreement would be utilized for development projects, improvement of civic facilities, and enhancement of public services.



He reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to pursuing innovative, effective, and sustainable planning initiatives to ensure long-term financial self-sufficiency.



Muhammad Asif Chaudhary thanked Divisional Commissioner Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh, FESCO CEO Muhammad Amir, officers of both organizations, and all participants for their support, emphasizing that such landmark projects could only be accomplished through strong inter-institutional collaboration.



FESCO Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Amir said the company was developing a modern, secure, and high-quality housing scheme for its employees and FDA City had emerged as the most suitable choice due to its prime location, well-planned infrastructure, and availability of all essential civic facilities.



He said that the project would provide FESCO employees and their families with a better standard of living and a safe residential environment.



He further appreciated FDA’s professional competence, transparent working practices, and the administration’s wholehearted cooperation, stating that these factors ensured the successful completion of the agreement.



He thanked Director General FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhary, his team, and Divisional Commissioner Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh for their valuable support and expressed confidence that cooperation between FESCO and FDA would continue to expand, leading to the successful execution of more public welfare projects in the future.



Posted on

10 traffic inspectors penalised over weak enforcement in Lahore


Lahore: Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi on Saturday ordered departmental action against 10 traffic inspectors, including withholding their annual promotions for one year, over unsatisfactory enforcement of traffic laws, particularly helmet compliance, while dismissing a traffic warden from service on charges of misconduct.



According to a City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) spokesperson, the disciplinary action was taken after the CTO inspected various traffic sectors across the city to review enforcement performance and traffic management.



The spokesperson said sector in-charges of Anarkali, Mozang, Garhi Shahu and Niaz Baig were awarded departmental punishments for weak helmet enforcement, while sector in-charges of Sherakot and Manga Mandi were issued warnings and directed to improve their performance.



The CTO said violations of helmet rules, one-way traffic, lane discipline and underage driving would not be tolerated under any circumstances, adding that officers had been directed to ensure uniform enforcement across the city.



He said helmet compliance on Lahore’s model roads had reached 97. 11 per cent, while compliance stood at 98. 83 per cent on Davis Road, 98. 81 per cent at Faisal Chowk, 98. 63 per cent near Doctors Hospital, 97. 53 per cent at Canal View and 97. 23 per cent at Avari Hotel Chowk.



Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said the increased use of helmets had reduced head trauma cases by up to 40 per cent. He noted that motorcyclists were involved in 73 per cent of fatal road accidents and stressed that strict enforcement was intended to protect human lives rather than generate revenue through fines.



He said that CTPL would continue taking strict action against negligence in enforcement while ensuring greater compliance with traffic laws to improve road safety across the provincial capital.



Posted on

Attock finalizes security, civic plan for Chehlum procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS)


Attock: District authorities and organizers on Saturday finalized security and administrative arrangements for the annual central Chehlum procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), with officials expressing confidence that the event would be held peacefully through close coordination among all stakeholders.



The coordination meeting, chaired by Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Arif Qureshi at the office of DSP Saddar Circle Ilyas Baig, reviewed detailed plans for the procession scheduled to begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday from Imambargah Panjtani Attock City. Discussions focused on security, traffic management, sanitation, medical services and other logistical measures. Senior police officers, municipal officials, representatives of Anjuman Jaanisaran-e-Hussain, religious scholars, volunteer teams and community leaders attended the meeting.



President of Anjuman Jaanisaran-e-Hussain and Imambargah Panjtani Attock City, Syed Raza Haider Naqvi, said all arrangements for the annual procession had been completed. He said the procession would proceed from Imambargah Panjtani through Madni Chowk, Fawara Chowk, Committee Chowk, Kutchery Chowk and Session Chowk before concluding in the evening at Imambargah Kamil Pur Syedan in Attock Cantt.



Concluding the meeting, organizers reaffirmed their full cooperation with the district administration, police and other departments to ensure the procession is conducted in a peaceful, orderly and well-managed manner. They also appreciated the authorities’ support and stressed the importance of maintaining an atmosphere of harmony, mutual respect and effective coordination throughout the event.



Posted on

CM congratulates Fatima Zahra on historic Commonwealth Games medal


Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has congratulated Pakistan’s first woman boxer, Fatima Zahra, on winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.



In her message, the chief minister felicitated Fatima Zahra for becoming the first Pakistani woman boxer to secure a medal at the Commonwealth Games, saying that her success had brought honour to the country and inspired young female athletes.



Expressing happiness over the achievement, Maryam Nawaz said it was encouraging to see Pakistan’s daughters advancing and proving their talent at the international level. She added that Fatima Zahra’s accomplishment would serve as a source of motivation for aspiring sportswomen across the country.



The chief minister praised the boxer’s dedication, hard work and determination, and expressed hope that Pakistani athletes would continue to earn laurels for the country in international competitions.



Posted on

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.



Posted on

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.