Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Lahore: Punjab Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, on Wednesday termed the Chief Minister Punjab’s honorarium programme for imams a highly commendable initiative, saying the government is committed to working closely with religious scholars to maintain peace and strengthen public order across the province.

He expressed these views while addressing a meeting with a delegation of Ittehad Tanzeem Madaris, led by Secretary General Wifaq Al-Madaris Al-Arabiya Pakistan, Maulana Qari Hanif Jalandhari, at the Home Department. The meeting was held as part of an ongoing series of consultations with religious scholars on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

The meeting reviewed the overall law and order situation in Punjab and discussed the registration of madrassas.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said consultations with scholars from all schools of thought are continuing under the leadership of the Chief Minister. He described the meeting with the senior leadership of Ittehad Tanzeem Madaris as highly productive and expressed optimism that further progress would be made in the next round of discussions in light of the recommendations presented regarding madrassa registration.

He said religious scholars from all schools of thought have demonstrated unity for the sake of peace and stability in Punjab. Stressing the need for national unity, the minister said all differences must be set aside to work collectively for the security and prosperity of Pakistan, adding that scholars across all schools of thought are on the same page regarding the country’s security.

Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi said the provincial government is maintaining close coordination with all stakeholders to ensure lasting peace. He acknowledged the significant role of religious scholars in promoting harmony and appreciated their full cooperation during Muharram in maintaining law and order across the province.

Speaking on the occasion, Maulana Qari Hanif Jalandhari assured the Punjab government of continued cooperation for safeguarding the country’s peace and security. He said scholars from all schools of thought would continue to promote unity and ensure compliance with the law. He also appreciated the Punjab government’s measures aimed at strengthening public order.

Special prayers were offered at the conclusion of the meeting for the peace, security and prosperity of Pakistan and its people.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Special Secretary Faisal Farid, Syed Tahir Raza Bukhari, Director General Auqaf Hafiz Anisur Rehman, Chief Coordination Officer Ghulam Saghir Shahid, Additional Secretary Special Initiatives Abdul Rauf, senior officers of the Special Branch and Counter Terrorism Department, along with representatives of major religious boards, including Director General Tanzeem Al-Madaris Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan Sahibzada Muhammad Mustafa Hazarvi, Maulana Muhammad Yasin Zafar of Wifaq Al-Madaris Al-Salafiya, Hafiz Syed Qutab of Rabitat Al-Madaris Al-Islamiya Pakistan, Maulana Lal Hussain Tohidi of Wifaq Al-Madaris Al-Shia Pakistan, Hafiz Muhammad Amjad, Hafiz Asad Obaid of Jamia Ashrafia and other scholars.

Lahore: Lahore General Hospital (LGH) organised a hepatitis awareness walk on Wednesday as part of a determined campaign to eliminate the disease from Punjab under the health vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The walk was led by Principal of Ameer-ud-Din Medical College, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Farooq Afzal, and witnessed the participation of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff carrying placards highlighting the importance of early screening and prevention.

Addressing the participants and media, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Farooq Afzal said timely screening and early diagnosis remain the most effective tools to prevent hepatitis and reduce its devastating impact. He said LGH is providing free diagnostic and treatment facilities for hepatitis patients, including medical check-ups, laboratory tests, medicines and comprehensive care under the Punjab government’s healthcare initiatives. He reiterated that PGMI and LGH would continue their efforts until Punjab becomes a hepatitis-free province.

He called upon the media, civil society, healthcare institutions and the public to play an active role in creating awareness, saying that thousands of lives could be saved through timely diagnosis and preventive measures.

Prof. Dr. Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab described hepatitis B and C as “silent killers,” explaining that the diseases often remain symptomless in their early stages. He urged every healthy individual to undergo regular screening and warned that hepatitis spreads through unsafe blood transfusions, reused syringes and non-sterile dental instruments.

Health experts said nearly 10 million Pakistanis are living with hepatitis B or C, while thousands die every year due to liver cancer and liver failure caused by the disease. They said common symptoms include persistent fatigue, weakness, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right abdomen and dark-coloured urine.

The experts stressed that hepatitis can largely be prevented through six-monthly screening, completion of the three-dose hepatitis B vaccination course, use of disposable syringes, transfusion of properly screened blood, avoiding the sharing of personal items such as razors, toothbrushes and nail cutters, and ensuring that circumcision and dental procedures are carried out only at certified healthcare facilities. They also emphasised the need for strict monitoring of beauty salons to prevent the spread of infections.

Medical Superintendent LGH, Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain, said the hospital’s dedicated hepatitis clinic is fully operational and providing free testing and treatment facilities to patients.

At the conclusion of the event, Associate Prof. Dr. Ghiyas-ul-Hassan thanked the organisers, participants and media representatives for supporting the awareness campaign. He said public awareness remains the strongest weapon against hepatitis and affirmed that PGMI and LGH would continue organising such initiatives until Punjab is free from the disease.

The awareness walk was attended by Prof. Dr. Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab, Medical Superintendent Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain, Dr. Ghiyas-ul-Hassan, Dr. Shafqat Rasool, Dr. Waqas Shabbir, Dr. Abdul Aziz, Dr. Mukarram Bajwa, along with a large number of gastroenterology specialists, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff.

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.

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: Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi on Wednesday visited and supervised the Departmental B-I Promotion Examination conducted by Lahore Traffic Police at Manawan Lines, reaffirming the department’s commitment to transparency, merit and fairness in the promotion process.

A total of 112 traffic assistants appeared in the examination, which was conducted for their promotion to the rank of senior traffic assistant. The CTO personally monitored the examination process, while SP Headquarters Maqsood Ahmed Loon, DSP Headquarters and the Office Superintendent were also present.

Addressing the participants, CTO Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said Lahore Traffic Police was committed to ensuring a transparent, merit-based and impartial promotion system. He made it clear that no candidate would be allowed to secure any undue advantage or use influence during the examination.

He said mobile phones and all other digital devices were strictly prohibited inside the examination center, adding that the entire examination process was being audio and video recorded to ensure complete transparency and accountability.

According to a Lahore Traffic Police spokesperson, candidates who successfully qualify in the Departmental B-I Promotion Examination will be promoted to the rank of senior traffic assistant.

CTO Abdul Rahim Shirazi emphasized that conducting fair, transparent and merit-based departmental examinations remained a top priority of Lahore Traffic Police, adding that equal opportunities would continue to be provided to all eligible officials strictly on merit.