Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed two food outlets during an inspection on Friday and also imposed heavy fine on poor sanitary and hygiene conditions.The inspection targeted 14 restaurants and samosa units, resulting in the closure of two units for poor sanitary conditions. A total fine of 380,000 rupees was imposed during the operation. The authorities took action due to the use of unusable oil for frying, as highlighted by the DG of the Food Authority.Furthermore, food handlers were found lacking medical and training certifications, with several storage areas infested with pests and displaying unapproved labels.The use of substandard oil in food preparation can significantly affect the liver and stomach, warned the DG Food Authority.

Lahore: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar has released Rs. 1.85 million to pay for medical expenses of injured personnel from various districts including Lahore.

The spokesperson said Rs. 5 lakh each was given to injured constable Muhammad Waqas Khan and injured constable Usman Ali for medical expenses. Injured constable Muhammad Riaz was given Rs. 2.5 lakh for medical expenses. Injured Sub-Inspector Tahir Iqbal and Constable Gul Ahmed Khan were given Rs 150,000 each for medical expenses. Injured Constables Muhammad Raees, Aqib Javed, Israr Ahmed, injured Sub-Inspector Irshad Siddique, Head Constable Aziz Ali and Constable Saqib Ali were given Rs 50,000 each for medical expenses.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has directed the Institute of Public Health (IPH) to design modern courses for health professionals to enhance their skills and efficiency.

He issued these directives while chairing a meeting at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department on Thursday.

During the meeting, various courses were reviewed, including Hospital Management, Procurement and Inventory Control, Financial and Resource Management, Budgeting and Financial Planning, Human Resource and Leadership, Ethics and Legal Aspects, and Conflict Management. The Dean of IPH presented course outlines and suggestions for their implementation.

Khawaja Salman Rafique emphasized that Medical Superintendents (MS) of hospitals should possess leadership qualities to effectively guide their teams. He highlighted that government hospital facilities are a public trust and stressed the importance of serving patients with dedication and responsibility.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood, Special Secretary Operations Tariq Mahmood Rehmani, Additional Secretary Technical Dr. Muhammad Waseem, Additional Secretary Sidra Saleem, Dean IPH Professor Saira Afzal, and Deputy Secretary Admin Sarah.

Lahore: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar has released Rs. 1.85 million to pay for medical expenses of injured personnel from various districts including Lahore.

The spokesperson said Rs. 5 lakh each was given to injured constable Muhammad Waqas Khan and injured constable Usman Ali for medical expenses. Injured constable Muhammad Riaz was given Rs. 2.5 lakh for medical expenses. Injured Sub-Inspector Tahir Iqbal and Constable Gul Ahmed Khan were given Rs 150,000 each for medical expenses. Injured Constables Muhammad Raees, Aqib Javed, Israr Ahmed, injured Sub-Inspector Irshad Siddique, Head Constable Aziz Ali and Constable Saqib Ali were given Rs 50,000 each for medical expenses.

Lahore: Pakistan Single Window (PSW), the designated operator of the Pakistan Single Window System, and Maqta Technologies, the digital arm of AD Ports Group, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing international trade through innovative digital solutions.

The PSW, a state-owned entity, is responsible for developing, implementing, and operating the Pakistan Single Window System - a unified digital platform that streamlines cross-border trade by enabling traders to submit import, export, and transit-related data electronically.

The Maqta Technologies specialises in integrated trade, transport, and logistics solutions, contributing to the digital transformation of global trade.

According to a press release, issued here on Thursday, the collaboration focuses on driving digital innovation and enhancing efficiency in cross-border trade by leveraging both organisations' expertise in cutting-edge digital solutions. The partnership will introduce value-added services, including digital customs clearance, smart warehousing, risk management systems, eCommerce, port community systems, trade finance, and predictive analytics for trade optimisation and risk management.

Harnessing advanced technologies such as AI, Blockchain, and IoT, the partnership aims to streamline trade processes, reduce delays, and boost transparency and regulatory compliance.

Under the agreement, Maqta Technologies and PSW will jointly identify and develop commercial opportunities in digital trade facilitation and logistics solutions worldwide. The partnership also emphasises promoting environmentally sustainable trade practices by adopting paperless documentation and carbon-efficient logistics.

Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, CEO of Digital Cluster and Maqta Technologies Group - AD Ports Group, stated: "Our partnership with Pakistan Single Window highlights our dedication to enhancing cross-border trade through advanced digital solutions. We will leverage our combined capabilities to unlock new commercial opportunities and maximize trade facilitation in Pakistan and global markets."

Syed Aftab Haider, CEO of Pakistan Single Window, remarked: "This partnership marks a significant step in PSW's vision to contribute to global trade facilitation by collaborating with leading regional players. Maqta Technologies brings invaluable global expertise in digital trade solutions, while PSW is emerging as a regional leader in single window implementation. Together, we are well-positioned to drive impactful advancements in trade facilitation."

Maqta Technologies, recognised by the World Customs Organization (WCO) for its innovative customs and trade solutions, has processed approximately 200 million transactions, generating extensive data sets that foster advanced technological development and enhance trade efficiency.

Pakistan holds a pivotal role in AD Ports Group's strategic growth in Central Asia, serving as the maritime gateway of the "Middle Corridor" linking Asia and Europe. The Group has invested in maritime and logistics businesses along this corridor, spanning Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

The Pakistan Single Window initiative is a transformative effort to enhance Pakistan's trade competitiveness by reducing the time and cost of cross-border trade through digitalisation. By eliminating paper-based procedures and introducing an electronic platform, PSW simplifies trade by allowing all parties to submit standardized information and documents through a single-entry point. As the technology partner of Pakistan Customs, PSW supports the digital transformation of customs clearance processes, including the enhancement of the customs risk management system.

This partnership signals a new era of digital trade collaboration, reinforcing Pakistan's position as a vital player in the global trade landscape.

Lahore: The police conducted 1,710 raids on drug-peddlers' hideouts across the province including Lahore during a week and 928 drug peddlers were arrested and cases were registered.

A spokesperson said that 548 kilograms of charas, 59 kilograms of heroin, 31 kilograms of ice were recovered from the possession of drug peddlers, while 14 kilograms of opium and more than 8,000 liters of alcohol were also recovered.