Category: Lahore

Lahore: Authorities have issued directions for immediate repair and reconstruction of 135 dangerous and dilapidated buildings of government schools in Lahore on Thursday.

According to a spokesperson for Education department authorities, the renovation plan for these schools had been delayed last year due to a change in policy, resulting in the pending completion of construction work.

Officials said several incidents involving roof collapses of dilapidated school buildings had occurred in the past, while the Strategic Management Unit had also conducted a fresh survey to identify dangerous structures.

The spokesperson said most of the repair work of dilapidated school buildings was expected to be completed during the summer vacations, while rehabilitation of unsafe buildings and construction of additional classrooms were also underway.

In view of the upcoming monsoon season, construction activities at schools have been expedited to ensure the safety of students and provide them with a secure learning environment.

Lahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has accelerated efforts to promote business registration through its SME Registration Portal (SMERP), paving the way for enterprise formalization across Pakistan.

The initiative is part of SMEDA’s commitment to providing an enabling business ecosystem to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to help them scale and flourish, thereby contributing to the national economic growth as envisioned by the government, SMEDA Chief Executive Officer Nadia Jahangir Seth told media here Thursday.

SMEDA, under the guidance of Ministry of Industries and Production, is working with a renewed vigor to implement the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s MSME development vision, for which, the entrepreneurs, especially women and budding businesses, are encouraged to register through https: //smerp.smeda.org/ or by visiting SMEDA’s website and take the first step toward being recognized, competitive and future-ready entities

Speaking about the importance of formalization, SMEDA CEO said, Pakistan continues to face significant informality challenges, with a large proportion of enterprises and workers operating outside formal systems. This limits access to finance, reduces productivity, weakens competitiveness and restricts compliance with international trade requirements such as GSP-Plus obligations and emerging sustainability standards. She emphasized that SME registration is not merely an administrative process but a gateway to economic opportunity, business sustainability and long-term resilience. ‘Formalization enables SMEs to strengthen their business identity, access finance and markets, improve credibility and participate more effectively in national and global value chains,’ she stated.

Ms Seth said SMEDA’s SME Registration Portal offers enterprises a free and simplified mechanism to initiate their formalization journey. ‘Registered MSMEs can benefit from business advisory services, capacity-building programs, networking opportunities, exposure through trade fairs and exhibitions, and stronger linkages with financial institutions and larger enterprises,’ she said.

It is notable that SMEDA’s ongoing collaboration with the International Labour Organization aims to strengthen Pakistan’s enterprise formalization agenda. Both the organizations have jointly launched Pakistan’s first National SME and Worker Formalization Roadmap under the ‘SME Formalization and Just Transition’ initiative.

The roadmap provides a coordinated national framework to simplify business registration, strengthen labour compliance, support supply chain due diligence and facilitate SME participation in the formal economy.

Through awareness campaigns, training sessions, help desk services, digital facilitation tools and policy advocacy, SMEDA and ILO are working together to make formalization more accessible and beneficial for SMEs across sectors including textiles, garments, auto parts manufacturing and services.

Lahore: The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore has fully activated its monsoon emergency response system to ensure timely relief for citizens during the rainy season.

WASA Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shehbaz Ahmad, accompanied by Deputy Managing Director (Operations) Abdul Latif, visited the monsoon control room and reviewed the online monitoring of 24 emergency relief camps, digital rain gauges and the rain dashboard.

The officials were briefed that all 24 relief camps across the city have been integrated with a modern monitoring system. They added that all underpasses in Lahore were being monitored round the clock through live cameras, while disposal stations, drains and other sensitive locations were under continuous live surveillance to ensure swift drainage of rainwater.

The vice chairman directed all officers and field staff to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season and perform their duties with complete dedication. He emphasized that immediate drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas during and after rainfall must be ensured.

He further instructed that all emergency relief camps,disposal stations and machinery should remain fully operational at all times,warning that no negligence or complacency would be tolerated, as providing timely and effective relief to citizens remains WASA’s top priority.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday paid glowing tribute to Madar-i-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah for her invaluable democratic and national services on the occasion of her 59th death anniversary.

In her special message, the chief minister commended Fatima Jinnah’s unwavering devotion to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and her remarkable spirit of sacrifice. She prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and for her elevated ranks in the hereafter.

Maryam Nawaz said Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah remained a role model for every sister and daughter of Pakistan, adding that her steadfastness in the face of adversity continues to inspire generations and serves as a beacon of guidance for the nation.

The chief minister said the people of Pakistan pay profound tribute to the national and political services of Madar-i-Millat.

She added that Fatima Jinnah demonstrated through her life that women have the capability to play a constructive and transformative role in the progress, development and prosperity of the country.

Lahore: Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday discussed measures to deal with monsoon-related challenges, possible floods and climate change impacts, with both sides agreeing to further strengthen coordination and early warning mechanisms.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary Punjab, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) and Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) were also present during the meeting.

During the meeting, the ‘Punjab Climate and Disaster Resilience Plan 2026’ was presented, while it was agreed to make the Early Warning System more effective for timely forecasting of extreme weather events. The meeting also decided to ensure coordination between federal and provincial institutions at least six hours before any severe weather event.

The participants agreed to install centralized information screens regarding climate and flood-related updates in all districts and tehsils of Punjab, conduct mock exercises before the monsoon season and further improve coordination between PDMA and NDMA.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed relevant departments to issue comprehensive advisories about rainfall patterns, heatwaves and other extreme weather conditions. She also ordered strengthening district-level logistics for flood response and ensuring controlled tourism in vulnerable areas.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief minister said timely medical facilities, food, shelter and other essential assistance were provided to flood-affected people during the previous floods, while no major epidemic was reported.

She said the capacity of PDMA, Rescue 1122, WASA and other relevant departments had been enhanced, while efforts were underway to increase water storage capacity.

Dr Musadik Malik appreciated the Punjab government’s initiatives regarding climate change, disaster management and flood preparedness, saying that on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal government was working with all provinces on climate resilience plans and would extend all possible support to Punjab.

The meeting also reviewed flood management operations of the previous year and agreed to further enhance cooperation between federal and provincial institutions to effectively respond to possible severe weather conditions in the future.

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday extended the interim bail of Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, the sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder, until September 5 in multiple cases related to the May 9 riots, including the alleged attack on and arson of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office.

ATC Judge Malik Abid Hussain heard the bail applications.

Uzma Khan appeared before the court to mark her attendance, while Aleema Khan filed a one-day exemption request from personal appearance. The court accepted her application.

Both Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan have obtained interim bail in cases concerning the alleged burning of the PML-N office and other incidents linked to the May 9 violence.

Meanwhile, another anti-terrorism court (ATC) extended the interim bail of Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan until September 5 in a case relating to alleged violence against police during the PTI protest on October 5.

ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill heard the case.

Uzma Khan appeared before the court, while Aleema Khan did not appear as she was in Islamabad. Her counsel filed a one-day exemption from personal appearance, which the court accepted.

The court directed the prosecution to complete its arguments on the interim bail applications.

Both Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan have obtained interim bail in the case registered at Shafiqabad Police Station over the October 5 protest and alleged violence against police.

According to the prosecution, the two sisters are accused of inciting PTI workers to stage a violent protest. The prosecutor told the court that police personnel were attacked and vehicles were set on fire during the October 5 protest.