Category: Lahore

Lahore: Hundreds of thousands of devoted worshippers began observing Aitkaf (spiritual retreat) on the 20th of Ramazan, after the Asr prayers on Friday.

Under the supervision of the Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department, large-scale arrangements have been made for Aitkaf at the Data Darbar Complex, the historic Badshahi Masjid, and other endowment mosques.

At Data Darbar Complex, more than 1,800 worshippers from across the country, including Lahore, Nankana Sahib, and Peshawar, have gathered for Aitkaf.

Administrator Sheikh Jameel Ahmed, along with Aitkaf Committee Head and Manager Tahir Maqsood, Zahid Anwar Butt, Asif Saeed, Saqib Naseem, and Alhaj Tabrez Mahmood Chishti, welcomed the worshippers.

The Data Darbar managers, accompanied by around 100 volunteers, checked the identification cards of the participants and supervised the screening of their belongings.

The fortunate worshippers were guided to designated cabins within the Aitkaf halls, named Bab-e-Ghosia, Bab-e-Faridiya, Bab-e-Bahoo, and Bab-e-Ahmad Raza.

During their stay, the worshippers at Data Darbar will be provided Sehri (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (fast-breaking meal) with the assistance of Madina Foundation, Hajveri Foundation, and other philanthropists.

At Badshahi Masjid Lahore, approximately 500 worshippershave undertaken Aitkaf. Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and Khateeb (chief cleric) of Badshahi Mosque, Maulana Syed Abdul Khabir Azad, welcomed them.

In the provincial capital, Aitkaf gatherings have also been arranged at mosques under the Auqaf Department, including Masjid Wazir Khan, Sunehri Masjid, and Jamia Masjid Shah Kamal.

Several major religious institutions, such as Minhaj-ul-Quran, Jamia Ashrafia, Jamia Naeemia, Jamia Al-Muntazar, Jamia-tul-Hussain Johar Town, Jamia Al-Qadisiyah, Markaz Ahl-e-Hadith Lawrence Road, Grand Bahria Mosque, and Jamia Masjid Mansoorah, are also hosting collective Aitkaf.

Other mosques in Lahore hosting Aitkaf include Jamia Masjid Nadwat-ul-Ulama, Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira, Jamia Masjid Kubra New Samanabad, Dar-ul-Uloom Hanafiya Liberty Market Gulberg, and Jamia Masjid Fatima Workshop Stop Gulberg.

Additionally, Jamia Masjid Ahsan-ur-Rahim Gulberg, Jamia Masjid Siddiqia (Bairun Masti Gate), Jamia Masjid D Block Model Town, and Jamia Masjid Ahmad Ali Lahori (Sheranwala Gate) have also arranged for Aitkaf.

Mosques such as Masjid-e-Shuhada on Mall Road, Jamia Al-Quds at Chowk Dalgaran, and several others have also witnessed a large number of people engaging in Aitkaf.

It is highly likely that the Eid-ul-Fitr moon will be sighted on Sunday, March 30, marking the conclusion of Aitkaf.

Eid-ul-Fitr prayers are expected to be observed nationwide on Monday, March 31.

As the final ten days of Ramazan (last Ashra) begin, the number of worshippers in mosques has significantly increased, and the presence of those observing Aitkaf has further enhanced the spiritual atmosphere.

Lahore: The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA-Punjab Zone) has refuted claims that sugar exports are responsible for rising prices, stating that the industry had a surplus of 1.2 million metric tons of sugar by September 2024, valued at Rs. 250 billion and pledged with banks at high-interest rates.

The spokesman stated that exports were only allowed after verifying surplus stocks and were crucial to preventing industry collapse. He highlighted that an agreement with the government in June 2024 set the ex-mill sugar price at Rs. 140 per kg during the export period, while record-high sugarcane prices (up to Rs. 750 per maund) have benefited farmers and ensured future crop sustainability. He attributed recent price hikes to market manipulation by hoarders and speculators, noting that domestic consumers currently have access to subsidised sugar at Rs. 130 per kg at designated stalls.

The industry has long demanded independent cost audits for transparency and proposed a two-tier pricing system, distinguishing between the commercial sector, which consumes 80pc of sugar and is unregulated, and domestic consumers. The spokesman urged the government to develop a support mechanism for household consumers in collaboration with the sugar industry.

Lahore: The Lahore Police have devised a comprehensive security plan to ensure peaceful observance of the Martyrdom Day of Hazrat Ali (A.S.).

More than 7,000 police officers and personnel will be deployed for security duties on this occasion. Additionally, over 600 traffic police officers and personnel, 72 teams of Elite Police, 44 teams of Dolphin Squad, and 30 teams of PRU will also be on duty. Female police officers will be assigned for the checking of women mourners.

CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana stated that Lahore Police would provide foolproof security for the processions and gatherings on the Martyrdom Day of Hazrat Ali (A.S.). He said that the participants in the procession would be provided with three-tiered security. Issuing instructions, he directed the police to remain highly alert and ensure thorough checking of all participants in the mourning processions and gatherings.

He further stated that the events would be monitored moment by moment through CCTV cameras. The CCPO Lahore also highlighted that special arrangements have been made to maintain smooth traffic flow.

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Higher Education Rana Sikandar Hayat visited the University of Management and Technology (UMT) and participated in a tree plantation drive by planting saplings.

The event was attended by UMT Rector Dr. Asif Raza, DG UMT Ahmad Abdullah, faculty members and a large number of students.

Speaking to the media at the ceremony, the minister emphasized the urgent need for large-scale afforestation to combat smog. He highlighted that proactive planning is essential to address smog-related challenges effectively. He stated that a total of 5 Lac trees have been planted in universities and colleges across Punjab, with extensive plantation efforts also carried out in schools.

The Minister further instructed the concerned department to map the planted trees to ensure proper tracking and care. He shared that today 5,000 trees were planted at UMT, with a total of 25,000 trees to be planted within the next three days. This initiative reflects the dynamic vision of UMT President Ibrahim Murad.

Rana Sikandar Hayat praised UMT's "One Student, One Plant" campaign, calling it an effective step toward environmental sustainability. He reiterated the government's commitment to making Pakistan a carbon credit-earning nation through increased afforestation.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman has directed all deputy commissioners to ensure comprehensive monitoring of the 'Suthra Punjab' programme by establishing an effective supervision and feedback mechanism at the union council level.

The instructions were issued during a video conference with divisional and deputy commissioners held at the Civil Secretariat here on Friday. The meeting reviewed the program's implementation across all districts, including the human resource, machinery availability, and challenges. The Secretary of Local Government and relevant officials attended in person, while divisional and deputy commissioners joined virtually.

The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for special cleanliness arrangements ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, mandating the contractors to disburse sanitary workers' salaries before the Eid. He reiterated that the program's execution aligns with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister, highlighting the introduction of a uniform cleanliness system in both urban and rural areas for the first time. He added that the private sector involvement has been prioritized to achieve the zero-waste target.

During the briefing, the Secretary of Local Government mentioned that a dedicated dashboard has been set up to monitor the 'Suthra Punjab' Program. He said that over 100,000 sanitary workers have been deployed province-wide, collecting 2.721 million tons of waste to date. Additionally, 1,300 waste enclosures and 88 landfill sites have been established, while 20,000 cleanliness-related complaints have been resolved, he concluded.

Lahore: An anti-corruption court on Friday dismissed the post-arrest bail petition of a constable, accused of fraud, due to non-prosecution.

Judge Muhammad Faisal Ahmad heard the post-arrest bail petition and ruled that the bail plea could not proceed as the accused's counsel had failed to appear for multiple hearings.

During the proceedings, the complainant's counsel, Advocate Rana Almas, argued that Abdul Razzaq, a police constable, had defrauded the complainant, Sarfaraz, of Rs. 6 million by falsely promising a job for his brother in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).