Category: District

Faisalabad: Agricultural experts have called for promoting oilseed crop cultivation to reduce Pakistan's $4 billion edible oil import bill, which constitutes nearly half of its total agricultural imports.

Speaking at a Hands-on Training on 'Emasculation, Pollination, and Oil Extraction Methods in Brassica napus,' organized by the Oilseeds Research Laboratory at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), UAF Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar Khan expressed concern over the country's reliance on agricultural imports despite being an agrarian nation. He noted that progressive farmers achieve double the yield of traditional ones, emphasizing the need to raise awareness and adopt modern farming technologies.

Dr. Muhammad Kashif from the PBG Department highlighted the economic and health benefits of Brassica, a leading oilseed crop rich in essential nutrients. He stressed the university's commitment to supporting research that ensures food security and economic sustainability.

Dr. Humera Razzaq, in charge of the Oilseeds Research Laboratory, stated that quality Brassica seeds can yield over 36 mounds of productivity, producing 18 kg of oil from just 40 kg of seed. She encouraged farmers to adopt oilseed crops for self-sufficiency and economic improvement.

Dr. Sundas Shahzad from Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) discussed the differences between rapeseed and mustard, while Dr. Ahmad Abdelghany from Egypt emphasized the health benefits of Brassica oil.

Director of Research Dr. Imran Arshad reiterated the importance of modern agricultural practices for food security and the university's role in advancing research and knowledge in sustainable farming. Dr. Imran Haider Shamsi from China also spoke on advanced technologies in Brassica cultivation.

Chiniot: Youth Welfare Organization Bhuwana on Wednesday attended a meeting organized by the Women Development Department Punjab at Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex, Lahore.

More than seventy civil society organizations from across the province participated in the meeting. Founder and President Youth Welfare Organization Bhuwana Rai Ahmed Raza Tahir represented the founder and president of Youth Welfare Organization Bhuwana.

The meeting discussed a three-point agenda, the first of which was to collaborate with the Women Development Department in the Women Development Centers established in universities, the second was to open new accounts in women's banks, and the third was to collect data on business women.

Parliamentary Secretary Women Development Department Ms Sadia Taimur Sahiba specially participated in the meeting and thanked the civil society organizations for their participation.

Founder and President Youth Welfare Organization Bhuana said that the collaboration with the Women Development Department has provided new opportunities to the women of Bhuana Tehsil and it will be easier for them to play a significant role in the development of the country.

Peshawar:Provincial Minister for Labor, Fazal Shakoor Khan Tuesday said that steps were being taken to increase revenue from the shops located in colonies of Worker Welfare Board.

The provincial minister expressed these views while presiding over a meeting regarding the ongoing reforms in Worker Welfare Board. The meeting was attended by Secretary WWB Muhammad Tufail and Director, Finance Saifullah Zafar.

On the occasion, meeting was informed that that a portal has been created to facilitate new scholarship applicants to ensure transparent distribution. It was told that shops located in labor colonies were recently auctioned and rented out at market rates.

The meeting also discussed important business plans including establishment of a smart market and other key initiatives to further increase revenue of WWB.

Chairing the meeting, labor minister said that revolutionary reforms are underway in Workers Welfare Board (WWB) for facilitations of labors and workers. He also directed authorities to take practical steps to introduce modern reforms and address shortcomings of the board.

He stressed that employees must work seriously to introduce reforms aiming public interest and warned disciplinary action for ignoring assigned duties.

Rawalpindi:The Ganjmandi Police, in an operation ahead of the Shab-e-Barat, held four accused for selling fireworks.

A Rawalpindi Police spokesman, in a statement, identified the arrested accused as Noman, Sujawal, Muhammad Taha and Imran.

The fireworks recovered from the accused were 131 firecrackers, 100 string shells, 22 stick firecrackers, 18 pomegranate firecrackers, 11 fire boxes and six other items, he said.

Lodhran: In a significant social welfare initiative, a grand mass wedding ceremony for 55 couples was held in Lodhran under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's flagship "Dhee Rani Program."

Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Sohail Shaukat Butt graced the event as the chief guest.

The ceremony was attended by notables, including Member Provincial Assembly Shazia Hayat Tareen, former MPA Malik Shah Muhammad Joiya, Director General Social Welfare Tariq Qureshi, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Lubna Nazir, District Police Officer Kamran Mumtaz, AC Kahror Pacca Ashraf Saleh and other officials.

Addressing the audience, Provincial Minister Sohail Shaukat Butt highlighted the success of the "Dhee Rani Program," stating that it has already been implemented in 27 districts, with a plan to cover all 36 districts by February 15. He emphasized that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has proven herself to be a compassionate leader by making the initiative a reality.

Through the 'Dhee Rani Program,' a message was given that daughters belong to all of us and deserve respect and care," the minister said. In his conversation with media representatives, Sohail Shaukat Butt praised the Punjab government's commitment to public service, stating that under the leadership of CM Maryam Nawaz, new records of development and welfare were being set.

At the conclusion of the event, the provincial minister and other distinguished guests distributed ATM cards worth Rs 100,000 as a wedding gift to each of the newlywed couples. The ceremony also featured a mesmerizing local "Jhoomar" dance performance and a lavish feast for the couples and their families.

Religious blessings were offered by prominent scholar Maulana Muhammad Mian, while a Christian pastor prayed for the newlywed Christian couples.

Faisalabad: Three passengers were killed while 11 others including, children, sustained multiple injuries in an accident in the area of Satiana police station. A Rescue 1122 spokesman said on Monday that a speeding passenger van coming from Mian Channu to Jaranwala turned turtle while overtaking a tractor trailer near Decent Restaurant Satiana Bungalow. As a result, three passengers, including Qasim Tufail, 50, Akbar Amanat, 35, and Fatima Arshad, 40, died on the spot whereas Rescue 1122 shifted 11 others to hospitals.

The injured were identified as Abdullah Khadam, Razia Ashraf , Talib Tufail , Faiza Zia , Abdul Sattar , Farzana Adeeb , Junaid Arshad , Nasira Zahid , her son Shehram Zahid , Sana Ullah and Zohaib Arshad.

The police took the bodies into custody while further investigation was under progress, the

spokesman added.