Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Lahore: A delegation comprising water supply and sanitation experts from Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa undertook a learning exchange visit to the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC).

The visit was organized in collaboration with AGAHE and Welthungerhilfe to promote the interprovincial exchange of innovative approaches and best practices.

The delegation included representatives from the Public Health Engineering Departments of Sindh and Balochistan, the Planning and Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, other government institutions working in water supply, sanitation and the WASH sector, and development partners.

Managing Director PMDFC, Syed Zahid Aziz, welcomed the delegation and briefed the participants on PMDFC’s ongoing initiatives for urban development, water supply and sanitation, institutional capacity building and improved municipal service delivery. He stated that such learning exchange visits play an important role in strengthening collaboration among provinces, promoting knowledge sharing and identifying sustainable solutions to challenges confronting the WASH sector.

Mudassir Javed, Director Planning and Evaluation, WASA Lahore, delivered a detailed briefing on WASA Lahore’s projects, institutional reforms and measures being undertaken to improve water supply and sanitation services for citizens. Mubarak Ali Sarwar, Chief Executive Officer of AGAHE, highlighted the objectives of the visit and the importance of strengthening interprovincial linkages in the WASH sector.

The delegation was also briefed on the projects, successful experiences and institutional reforms of the Pakistan Water Operators Network (P-WON), PMDFC and WASA Lahore. Special documentary highlighting the initiatives and achievements of PMDFC was also screened on the occasion.

Tahira Jabeen, National Coordinator P-WON; Umair Butt; Shahid Ibrahim; Ali Mufti; Amir Mahmood Shah, SPO GIS; and other officers also attended the meeting.

The participants appreciated the initiatives undertaken by PMDFC, PWON and WASA Lahore and emphasized the need to further promote the interprovincial exchange of experiences, technical expertise and replicable models.

Lahore: Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Tahir Farooq has directed officials to ensure that property transfer cases in LDA City are completed within 24 hours, describing the growing number of transfer applications as an encouraging sign.

The directive was issued during his visit to the LDA Avenue One Citizen Facilitation Centre and various blocks of the housing scheme on Wednesday.

During the surprise visit, the DG interacted with citizens visiting the facilitation centre for property transfers, building period extensions and other services. He sought feedback on the quality of services and instructed the Director Avenue One to ensure maximum convenience for the public.

Later, the DG inspected the under-construction park in H Block of LDA Avenue One, where officials briefed him on ongoing development works. They informed him that a 47-kanal park is being developed under a sustainable development model, while construction of eight new parks across the housing scheme is progressing rapidly.

Lahore: An enforcement team of Punjab Food Authority discarded 700kg of fungus infested carrots and ash gourd, 800kg of Murabba Ashrafi and other substandard food items while suspending the production of a murabba manufacturing unit during a raid in Bhagat Pura, Lahore.

Operation was conducted on the order of Director General Punjab Food Authority Raja Mansoor Ahmad.

Food safety team raided the murabba production unit and found murabba being prepared from insect infested and fungus contaminated fruits. PFA took action after detecting serious violations of food safety regulations and ordered the immediate suspension of production.

Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad said that poor sanitation arrangements and heavy insect infestation were observed throughout the unit. He said that fungus-infested ash gourd, carrots and other raw materials were being stored for use in food production.

He said that the unit owner was using prohibited chemicals to remove foul odours, insects and fungus from fruits and vegetables before processing. Non-food-grade blue plastic drums were also being used for storing fruits and vegetables.

He said that the unit failed to maintain proper storage conditions and could not produce mandatory expiry date records or food-grade certification. He said that the substandard murabba products were intended to be marketed across Punjab in attractive packaging to deceive consumers.

He further stated that strict action is being taken against the food fraud mafia that endangers public health for the sake of higher profits.

Lahore: Acting on the directives of Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq, the LDA Town Planning Wing has intensified its operation against illegally commercialized buildings and properties defaulting on commercialization fees.

During a large-scale enforcement drive carried out on Tuesday, LDA teams sealed 105 properties in various housing schemes and LDA-controlled areas.

The operation covered Gulberg, Faisal Town, Gulshan Ravi, Canal Road, Poonch Road, Mustafa Town and Azam Town. According to the LDA spokesperson, 31 properties in Gulberg and Faisal Town were sealed for unauthorized commercial use.

Another 53 properties located in Gulshan Ravi, Canal Road and Poonch Road were sealed for illegal commercial activities and non-payment of commercialization fees. Meanwhile, 21 properties in Mustafa Town and Azam Garden were sealed during a recovery operation against fee defaulters.

The sealed properties included private schools, bakeries, beauty salons, hardware stores, marble and building material outlets, caf©s, restaurants, food points, pharmacies, grocery and electrical stores, real estate offices, clinics, auto workshops, shops and offices.

The operation was supervised by Chief Town Planner-I Asad Uz Zaman. The LDA said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial establishments and commercialization fee defaulters will continue.

Lahore: Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra has directed strict enforcement against businesses failing to implement the Electronic Invoice Monitoring System (EIMS).

While chairing a meeting to review the Authority’s divisional performance in business registration, EIMS implementation and tax collection here Wednesday, the Chairman directed field officers to accelerate the campaign for the mandatory implementation of EIMS and intensify efforts to register new businesses and bring them into the tax net. He emphasised that broadening the tax base and ensuring compliance remain key priorities of the Authority.

The Chairman further directed that complaints regarding the issuance of fake, unauthorised or QR code-less invoices be addressed without delay and that heavy penalties be imposed on violators in accordance with the law. He warned that businesses involved in tax evasion or other violations of tax laws would remain under continuous monitoring.

He underscored that the promotion of digital tax systems is essential for enhancing transparency, improving taxpayer services and increasing provincial revenue. He stated that effective enforcement, coupled with digitalisation, is indispensable for strengthening tax administration and ensuring sustainable growth in tax collection.