Category: Lahore

Lahore: Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan emphasized the crucial role of sports in channeling youth energy positively and contributing to national development.

Speaking as the chief guest at the annual Sports Day of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Lahore on Tuesday, he highlighted how sports promote both physical and mental well-being while fostering national unity.

During the event, he inaugurated the newly established Sports Complex and joined children in watching various sports competitions. He reiterated the importance of providing sporting opportunities to youth, ensuring their holistic development and strengthening the foundation of a progressive society.

Commending the efforts of CPWB Chairperson Sarah Ahmad, officials, and staff, the speaker acknowledged that under their leadership, the institution has attained an exemplary status. He assured full support for the welfare of the children under the bureau’s care and reaffirmed his commitment to standing by them and the institution.

Praising the skill development programs, he noted that the various training initiatives under the CPWB have empowered the children residing there, enabling them to become self-sufficient. He also termed the establishment of the Child Rights Caucus as a revolutionary step toward safeguarding children’s rights and expressed his commitment to formulating policies that ensure the well-being of children.

Expressing satisfaction over the achievements of the CPWB and the positive transformation in the lives of the children, the speaker said that the institution is not just a shelter but a place where practical measures are being taken to shape the lives of children and secure their future.

Later, while talking to the media, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan addressed recent national security issues, emphasizing that such sensitive matters should not be politicized. He stated that political point-scoring on national security could be detrimental to the country, urging all political parties to act responsibly on this matter.

He criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for not participating in the national security meeting, highlighting that this is a crucial issue that requires a unified stance from all parties. He added that he had personally witnessed two instances where PTI failed to attend national security discussions, and even in the past, the PTI founder, as prime minister, did not attend the National Security Council meetings.

The speaker pointed out that PTI once again abstained from attending today’s National Security Parliamentary Committee meeting, reflecting their lack of seriousness. He urged PTI to prioritize the country’s interests over political gains and to avoid politicizing issues that demand national unity. He further stated that during their time in opposition, even Shehbaz Sharif, as the Leader of the Opposition, participated in national security meetings because national interest should always take precedence over political differences.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan added that Nawaz Sharif could play a significant role in addressing the current situation, emphasizing the need for all political leaders, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman and others, to unite on a single platform to find solutions to the challenges facing the country.

Lahore: Sunny weather with traces of clouds was observed in the city here on Tuesday while the Met office predicted similar weather conditions for the next 24 hours.

MET officials said the minimum temperature in the city was 18°C and maximum was 28°C. They said scattered rain may hit some parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the average AQI of the city was 74 while the PM2.5 concentration was 4.3 times the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline value.

Lahore: In line with the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, WASA Lahore is actively working to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation among citizens. Under the directives of Vice Chairman WASA Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmad and Managing Director WASA Ghufran Ahmad, the authority will observe World Water Day on March 22, 2025, by kicking off an entire week of awareness activities themed “Save Water, Save Life.”

The MD WASA has issued specific instructions to launch a special awareness campaign in connection with World Water Day. Like other nations, Pakistan also celebrates World Water Day annually on March 22.

WASA Lahore will conduct an awareness week to educate the public on water conservation, urging people to change their behavior and contribute to saving water.

The Vice Chairman WASA emphasized that citizens must adopt responsible water usage habits to avoid wastage. Meanwhile, the MD WASA has directed officials to implement strict measures to curb water wastage.

WASA Lahore has appealed to citizens to refrain from wasting water and ensure its conservation for future generations. The public is encouraged to actively participate in the “Save Water, Save Life” campaign and demonstrate their responsibility as citizens.

Lahore: FATA’s Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi has been ruled out of the ongoing National T20 Cup 2025 with a fracture in the Zygomatic bone during a practice session at the Gaddafi stadium on Sunday evening.

Asif, who was set to lead FATA in the ongoing National T20 Cup, was hit below the right eye in a freak training incident when a ball ricocheted from a pole during his side’s practice session.

He was taken to hospital for scans, which revealed a fracture in his Zygomatic bone, resulting in his withdrawal from the tournament.

The PCB medical department will continue to monitor Asif’s treatment and progress, while also preparing his rehabilitation plan in consultation with concerned eye specialists.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, chairing a meeting here on Monday, introduced a series of initiatives to support children with disabilities across the province.

Following the health screening of 40,000 special children, various medical conditions have been identified, and she has directed authorities to ensure free treatment for affected students. In a first for Punjab, a facial recognition system has been introduced for student attendance in special education institutions. Additionally, she approved the ‘Special People Employment Program’ to provide career opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

To further support these children, a ‘Rising Star Card’ program has been approved, along with the introduction of a packed meal program to ensure proper nutrition. A special ‘Eidi Program’ has also been launched for students with disabilities, and nine electric buses have been approved to facilitate school transportation.

The CM emphasized the importance of regular performance audits, instructing that special education centers be evaluated every six months. She also directed the Special Assistant to CM (SACM) and the Special Monitoring Unit (SMU) to maintain constant contact with parents. Security measures will be enhanced with increased CCTV coverage in schools, centers, and transport services.

For the first time, the special education budget has been ‘Ring-Fenced’ to ensure dedicated funding.

The CM directed steps to create an external examination system for children with disabilities. To improve educational and vocational training, she called for the outsourcing of clinical psychologists and speech therapists and instructed a review of hiring foreign experts. An enrollment and awareness campaign will also be launched to encourage more children to join special education institutions.

During a briefing, SACM on Special Education Sania Ashiq Jabeen revealed that 6,500 mentally challenged children have been categorized, and a new syllabus has been developed to meet their educational needs. A digital smart room will be set up in each district’s Special Education Centre of Excellence, where visually and hearing-impaired children will be taught through touchscreen technology. A vocational training center will be established in every district to equip children with employable skills. Special efforts are being made to support early autism diagnosis, as early detection in children as young as three years old significantly improves treatment outcomes.

On the Chief Minister’s direction, a monitoring system has been implemented in the Special Education Department. A new syllabus for hearing-impaired children has been developed, with sign language officially included. A Special Education Information System and a helpline (1162) have also been introduced, along with a mobile app for easier access to resources. The number of special students currently enrolled in Punjab stands at 39,085, including 14,567 female students, with institutions catering to hearing-impaired, physically disabled, blind, autism-affected, and slow learners.

Twelve autism units have been established in special education centers, while 27 divisional public schools now house autism centers. Twenty-eight special education schools across the province are being upgraded as ‘Maryam Nawaz Center of Excellence for Special Education.’ New buildings for government special education centers have been completed in Vehari, Lodhran, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Mianwali. To ensure continuous monitoring and safety, 3,450 CCTV cameras are being installed in special education centers. For the first time at the provincial level, a dedicated control room will be established for special education centers.

CM Maryam Nawaz said that it is the government’s firm resolve to bring meaningful and positive change in the lives of special children. She emphasized that caring for special children is a fundamental duty of a welfare state.

Lahore: Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah has been penalised for breaching ICC Code of Conduct during the first of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Khushdil Shah has been penalised 50% of his match fee for a Level 2 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, said ICC prese release on Monday.

The incident occurred during the first T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan in Christchurch on 16th March (Sunday).

Khushdil was found in violation of Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘inappropriate physical contact with a player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match).’

The incident happened during the 8th over of Pakistan’s innings when Khushdil barged into the back of bowler Zakary Foulkes. The act was classified as ‘inappropriate physical contact with a high degree of force’ and was deemed ‘reckless, negligent.’

Khushdil accepted the sanctions levelled by the umpires and Match Referee Jeff Crowe, as a result of which there was no need for a formal hearing.

Along with the fine, three demerit points have been added to Khushdil’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

If four or more demerit points are accumulated within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points. Two suspension points result in a ban from either one Test, two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first for the player.

Pakistan lost the first T20I by 9 wickets after they crumbled to 91-10.