Category: Lahore

Lahore: Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer Faiz Ahmed highlighted the importance of promoting technological innovation and facilitating investment in modern energy solutions to strengthen Pakistan’s industrial base and enhance its global competitiveness.

He was addressing the “Innovation Driving the Energy Future” Growatt Full-Scenario Storage Launch held here on Sunday. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, technology experts, and key stakeholders from Pakistan’s energy sector to deliberate on the future of renewable energy, advanced battery storage technologies, and sustainable power solutions. Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Chairman and Vice President Zaki Aijaz, Punjab Energy Department Secretary Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti and SM Solar (Pvt.) Limited CEO Adil Mehmood also addressed the ceremony.

TDAP CEO Faiz Ahmed observed that sustainable energy technologies present significant opportunities for economic growth, export expansion, and industrial modernization.

On this occasion, FPCCI Regional Chairman and Vice President Zaki Aijaz has emphasized that innovation, renewable energy, and advanced energy storage technologies are indispensable to strengthening Pakistan’s industrial competitiveness, long-term energy security, and accelerating the country’s transition towards a sustainable and green economy.

Zaki Aijaz stated that availability of affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy is fundamental to enhancing industrial productivity, reducing production costs, expanding exports, and attracting domestic as well as foreign investment. He stressed that the adoption of advanced battery energy storage systems, coupled with greater utilization of renewable energy, will significantly improve the resilience and efficiency of Pakistan’s energy infrastructure.

He underscored the need for closer collaboration among the government, the private sector, technology providers, and international development partners to create a policy environment that encourages investment, innovation, and the large-scale deployment of clean energy technologies. He noted that such initiatives would not only support economic growth but also contribute to Pakistan’s climate commitments and long-term sustainable development objectives.

The speakers collectively reaffirmed that advanced energy storage systems, renewable energy integration, and innovation-driven policies will play a transformative role in shaping Pakistan’s energy future.

They called for sustained public-private collaboration to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies and establish a secure, resilient, and sustainable energy ecosystem.

The event concluded with an interactive session attended by prominent industrialists, investors, energy professionals, policymakers, and representatives of leading national and international companies. Participants exchanged views on emerging trends in energy storage, technological innovation, and investment opportunities aimed at supporting Pakistan’s transition towards a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable energy future.

Lahore: Amiruddin Medical College Principal Prof. Dr. Farooq Afzal has directed the works and sanitation staff of Lahore General Hospital (LGH) to remain on high alert during the monsoon season, stressing that there is no room for negligence in the healthcare system. He said maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and uninterrupted patient care must remain the hospital administration’s top priority during the rainy season.

The directions were issued on Sunday while chairing a two-hour comprehensive performance review meeting of Lahore General Hospital, where key decisions were taken to further improve patient care, hospital management and administrative efficiency. Medical Superintendent Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain briefed the meeting on the performance of various departments and medical facilities, highlighting healthcare services being provided under the government’s policy. Administrative doctors and the Deputy Chief Nursing Superintendent (DCNS) also attended the meeting.

Prof. Dr. Farooq Afzal instructed the administration to maintain a clean and pleasant hospital environment, ensure adequate stocks of rare blood groups in the Blood Bank for emergencies, and direct focal persons and administrative doctors to conduct daily rounds of their respective departments and submit regular reports to the Medical Superintendent. He warned that negligence in performing these responsibilities would not be tolerated.

The Principal also ordered zero tolerance for lapses in security and sanitation, directing sanitary inspectors to actively monitor hospital departments instead of relying on routine reports. He instructed that police verification of employees of private security and cleaning contractors be completed on a priority basis and ordered strict action against begging and illegal vending within the hospital premises. He also directed the DCNS to ensure proper patient care, effective ward management, accurate record maintenance and strict implementation of Punjab Healthcare Commission standard operating procedures.

He further directed strict enforcement of the “one patient, one attendant” policy to maintain discipline in the hospital. The Chief Pharmacist was instructed to provide doctors with weekly updates on the availability of medicines, while appreciation certificates will be awarded to high-performing employees. He also warned that strict departmental action would be taken against staff found violating discipline, reporting late, leaving early or failing to hand over charge properly.

Speaking on the occasion, Medical Superintendent Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain assured that the hospital administration would continue working with greater dedication and commitment to meet the expectations of the government and the public by providing improved healthcare services.

Lahore: Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Saturday visited the residence of senior anchorperson Iftikhar Ahmad to offer condolences on the demise of his younger brother, Agha Iqbal Ahmad Khan. The speaker offered Fateha for the departed soul and prayed for his forgiveness, elevation in ranks and a high place in Jannat-ul-Firdous. He also expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family, particularly Iftikhar Ahmad, and prayed that Allah grant the family patience and fortitude in bearing this irreparable loss.

Lahore: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Wing on Saturday intercepted a Pakistani national deported from Libya for allegedly attempting to travel to Italy through an illegal human smuggling network,officials said.

According to an FIA spokesperson,Salman Akhtar was taken into custody upon his arrival at Lahore airport after being deported by Libyan authorities.

He was subsequently handed over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle,Lahore for further legal proceedings.

The spokesperson said initial investigation revealed that Salman had travelled to Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa along with his mother and grandfather. After performing Umrah,he allegedly separated from his family and traveled to Egypt and later Libya through an agent in an attempt to enter Europe illegally.

The FIA claimed that Salman had paid Rs.4.3 million to an agent identified as Riyasat,r/o Sheikhupura,who allegedly promised to facilitate his entry into Italy.

According to the agency,the suspect was intercepted by Libyan police before he could travel to Italy by boat and was later deported to Pakistan.

The FIA said further investigation was underway to trace the alleged human smuggling network and proceed against those involved.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that development, prosperity, and beautification are progressing simultaneously across the province under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, with the pace of development projects significantly faster than in previous years.

In a statement issued on Saturday, she said development schemes were being implemented at an accelerated pace in 52 cities under the Punjab Development Plan. She added that special priority was being given to completing water supply and sewerage projects before the onset of the monsoon season to prevent inconvenience to citizens during heavy rainfall.

Azma Bokhari said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed that no excavated roads or open trenches should remain before the monsoon begins and that all ongoing development projects must be completed within the stipulated timeframe. She added that strict safety measures were being enforced during project execution to ensure public safety.

The minister said that under the Punjab Beautification Plan, cities across the province were being transformed into modern and aesthetically appealing urban centres. She added that public markets were also being upgraded without discrimination to improve civic facilities and meet modern standards.

She said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was personally monitoring the Punjab Development Plan and beautification projects to ensure timely completion and adherence to the highest quality standards.

Azma Bokhari highlighted that beautification projects, including the development of parks, modern markets, and attractive city entry points, had been completed in Mandi Bahauddin, Sambrial, Chiniot, Rahim Yar Khan, Okara, Sargodha, Attock, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Shakargarh, and Khushab.

She reiterated that the chief minister’s vision was to provide every city in Punjab with modern civic amenities, quality infrastructure, and an attractive urban environment comparable to Lahore, ensuring that the benefits of development reached people across the province equally.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora has said that overseas Pakistanis are the country’s true ambassadors, playing a pivotal role in projecting Pakistan’s positive image, strengthening its international goodwill and fostering stronger people-to-people relations across the world.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Third Mango and Multicultural Event in Sydney, Australia, the minister said overseas Pakistanis had always represented the country’s values, culture and traditions with dignity and had made valuable contributions to enhancing Pakistan’s global reputation. He also highlighted the importance of interfaith harmony, cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence in building stronger societies.

According to a handout issued here on Saturday, Arora arrived in Sydney to a warm and enthusiastic welcome by members of the Pakistani community. The event, organised by the Australian Pakistani Overseas Community, drew a large gathering of people from different religions, cultures and nationalities, reflecting Australia’s multicultural character.

Addressing the participants, the minister said the Mango and Multicultural Event was a remarkable example of interfaith harmony, cultural diversity and mutual respect. He said such events not only celebrated Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage but also strengthened friendship and understanding among people belonging to different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.

Referring to the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Arora said he had travelled to Australia to convey Pakistan’s message of love, tolerance, peace and interfaith harmony to the international community. He added that the Punjab government remained committed to promoting inclusivity, religious freedom and mutual respect at every level.

The minister said the primary objective of the event was to bring people from diverse communities onto a common platform where they could interact, appreciate each other’s cultures and reinforce the values of harmony and peaceful coexistence. He remarked that the sweetness of Pakistani mangoes symbolised the warmth, affection and goodwill shared between the Pakistani and Sikh communities in Australia.

Arora said Pakistan’s soil was enriched with the values of peace, love and brotherhood, adding that the Pakistani diaspora in Australia had successfully projected the country’s culture, traditions and spirit of religious harmony, bringing pride and honour to the nation through their achievements and positive engagement.