Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Punjab Excise and Taxation (E and T) Department has announced a decisive crackdown on property tax defaulters and officers failing to meet tax recovery targets.

Director General Excise and Taxation Umar Sher Chatha stressed that accountability will extend beyond tax defaulters to include tax collection officers. "Officers failing to meet their recovery targets will first receive show-cause notices. If no improvement is observed, their salaries will be deducted, and by year-end, they will be removed from their positions," he stated.

A comprehensive performance review is underway, with lists of underperforming officers being compiled. The ETO operations team will directly oversee the recovery process to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

Providing an update on enforcement, Chatha revealed that in the past 12 days, 12,000 properties in Lahore - defaulting on Rs 860 million - have been sealed. Across Punjab, more than 38,000 properties, with outstanding dues of Rs 1.5 billion, have faced similar action. However, swift tax recoveries have led to the de-sealing of many properties. In Lahore, 3,600 properties were re-opened following payments totaling Rs 110 million, while across Punjab, 11,000 properties were restored after recoveries amounting to Rs 830 million.

The DG E and T issued a stern warning that no officer is authorized to illegally de-seal any property without proper tax payment. Violators will face strict legal consequences. He also urged property owners to pay their taxes on time to avoid legal action.

Lahore: At least 13 persons were killed and 1487 injured in 1275 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) in all 37 districts of Punjab during the last 24 hours.

Out of these, 645 people with serious injuries were shifted to different hospitals, while 842 victims with minor injuries were treated at the incident site by Rescue Medical Teams thus reducing the burden of hospitals.

Furthermore, the analysis showed that 834 drivers, 66 underage drivers, 166 pedestrians, and 500 passengers were among the victims of road traffic crashes. The statistics showed that 249 RTCs were reported in Lahore which affected 312 persons placing the Provincial Capital at top of the list followed by Faisalabad 87 with 95 victims and at third Multan with 71 RTCs and 79 victims.

According to the data, 1273 motorbikes, 68 auto-rickshaws, 121 motorcars, 20 vans, 07 passenger buses, 33 truck and 84 other types of auto vehicles and slow-moving carts were involved in these road traffic accidents.

Lahore: The 'Maryam Ki Dastak' initiative, developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) for the Government of Punjab, has significantly enhanced public access to government services. To date, over 369,000 online applications have been received as part of the initiative.

During a high-level meeting chaired by PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf held at Arfa Software Technology Park (ASTP), it was revealed that more than 310,000 requests have been successfully processed, while an additional 59,000 applications are expected to be completed in the coming days.

The initiative has also witnessed remarkable participation, with over thousands of individuals registered as Dastak Facilitators, ensuring efficient service delivery to citizens.

In this regard, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf highlighted that 'Maryam ke Dastak' is operational in 40 districts of Punjab, offering over 70 essential services at citizens' doorsteps. These include the issuance of Domiciles, Birth Certificates, Copy of FIR, Copy of Registry, Fard for Record and various other public services, eliminating the need for visits to government offices.

Citizens can conveniently avail these services through the 'Dastak Doorstep Delivery App' or by calling helpline 1202. Chairman Faisal Yousaf also emphasized that 'Maryam Ki Dastak' is not only making public services more accessible and efficient but also setting a new benchmark for good governance and citizen facilitation-saving time, resources, and enhancing service delivery across Punjab.

Lahore: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the match schedule for ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025 in Pakistan from April 9 to April 19.

The 15-match round-robin tournament will be staged in Lahore from 9 to 19 April in which six teams will compete for two places in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 to be held in India in October-November 2025.

Hosts Pakistan take on Ireland at the Gaddafi Stadium while the West Indies play Scotland at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) on the opening day.

The sixth edition of the Qualifier sees teams from four Full Members - Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan and the West Indies - compete with Associate Members Scotland and Thailand in the 15-match league tournament that will decide the two qualifiers for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 to be held later this year.

Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka apart from hosts India, have already qualified for the World Cup by virtue of finishing in the top six of the 10-team ICC Women's Championship (2022-25).

Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan and the West Indies play in the Qualifier as they finished from places seventh to 10th in the Women's Championship, while Thailand and Scotland made it as the next two best ranked sides in the ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings as of 28 October 2024.

Some exciting matchups in the tournament include Pakistan taking on the West Indies on 14 April in a day-night game at the Gaddafi Stadium, Bangladesh going up against the West Indies at LCCA on 17 April and sub-continental rivals Pakistan and Bangladesh clash at the LCCA on 19 April.

ICC CEO, Geoff Allardice said: 'We are pleased to announce the match schedule for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025.

'The six competing teams are just one step away from the Women's Cricket World Cup and I am sure they will all be eagerly looking forward to the competition.

'On behalf of the ICC, I would like to wish the teams all the best for the tournament in Lahore as part of the build-up to the Cricket World Cup later this year.'

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025 match schedule (day matches begin at 09h30 and day/night matches at 14h00 local time)

Wednesday, 9 April

Pakistan vs Ireland - Gaddafi Stadium (Day)

West Indies vs Scotland - LCCA (Day)

Thursday, 10 April

Thailand vs Bangladesh - LCCA (Day)

Friday, 11 April

Pakistan vs Scotland - LCCA (Day)

Ireland vs West Indies - Gaddafi Stadium (Day)

Sunday, 13 April

Scotland vs Thailand - LCCA (Day)

Bangladesh vs Ireland - Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)

Monday, 14 April

Pakistan vs West Indies - Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)

Tuesday, 15 April

Thailand vs Ireland - LCCA (Day)

Scotland vs Bangladesh - Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)

Thursday, 17 April

Bangladesh vs West Indies - LCCA (Day)

Pakistan vs Thailand - Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)

Friday, 18 April

Ireland vs Scotland - Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)

Saturday, 19 April

Pakistan vs Bangladesh - LCCA (Day)

West Indies vs Thailand - Gaddafi Stadium (D/N)

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday extended the interim bail of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, until April 8 in three cases related to the May 9 violence.

Due to the leave of ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill, Duty Judge Arshad Javed presided over the hearing on Ayub's pre-arrest bail applications. The opposition leader appeared before the court and marked his attendance during the proceedings.

Omar Ayub faces multiple charges, including attacks on Jinnah House and Askari Tower, as well as the torching of Shadman Police Station.

Lahore: The Hindu community celebrated Holi with great fervour amid high security at Krishna Mandir in Lahore on Friday by smearing each other with brightly colored powder, dancing to festive music and feasting on traditional sweets prepared for the occasion.

Holi has its origins in Hindu mythology and lore and celebrates the divine love between the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha, and signifies a time of rebirth and rejuvenation.

Across the country, Hindu community, mostly dressed in all white clothes, celebrated the festival by hurling colored powder at each other. Children, perched on rooftops and balconies, flung water balloons filled with colored pigments at passers by.

Similarly, Holi was celebrated across the country, especially in Mithi, Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Tharparkar areas of Sindh province, members of the Muslim community participated in Holi celebrations along with Hindus, expressing love and religious harmony.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the Holi festival, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said in his message that I extend my heartfelt greetings to the Hindu community across Pakistan on the joyous occasion of Holi.

This festival, which announces the arrival of spring, symbolizes the triumph of love and goodness, gives a sense of vibrant energy.

He added that while celebrating new beginnings and the strength of renewed relationships, this day highlights the importance of building a stronger, more united nation and the inclusion of all citizens. May this festival of colors fill your lives with happiness, health, success and prosperity.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while issuing a message on the Hindu community's festival of Holi on Friday said that this beautiful festival of colors, Holi, is a symbol of love, peace and brotherhood. Pakistan is a beautiful blend of communities of different religions. Everyone has equal rights and opportunities. I pray that this day brings a message of happiness, love and interfaith harmony to everyone, she added.