Category: Lahore

Lahore: On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Safe City reaffirmed its commitment to women's protection and swift justice.

The Virtual Women Police Station, established under Safe City, is operational 24/7 to guide, protect, and provide immediate assistance to women. To date, 311,491 women have received help through the Virtual Women Police Station. FIRs have been registered in 37,056 complaints, ensuring the delivery of justice.

Out of the total cases, 270,106 have been resolved, and 4,330 cases are under investigation. The popularity of the Women Safety App has also risen, with over 424,000 women installing the app. Through the app, 4,500 women have sought help by calling 15. A spokesperson for the Safe Cities Authority stated that to facilitate women, the "Post FIR Follow-up Service" and a "Tracking Portal" for complaints made via 15 have been introduced.

Women can now track the immediate follow-up of their complaints filed at the Virtual Women Police Station from the comfort of their homes. The Virtual Women Police Station remains in constant contact with affected women. Women can call 15 and press 2 to receive assistance from the Virtual Women Police Station.

Lahore: The district administration, in a significant crackdown, arrested two individuals posing as fake price control magistrates during operations aimed at ensuring fair pricing and relief for citizens during Ramadan.

The imposters, who were extorting money from shopkeepers under the guise of conducting price checks, were apprehended at the Khadak Sabzazar Market.

Both individuals have been handed over to the Sabzazar Police, and cases have been registered against them. The district administration also released a report on the previous day's operations by genuine Price Control Magistrates, highlighting their effectiveness.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Syed Musa Raza said that the proactive measures by Price Control Magistrates are yielding positive results. Heavy fines have been imposed, and cases have been registered against violators.

During the operations, strict action was taken at 26 locations, resulting in 25 warnings and fines exceeding Rs. 100,000.

The DC emphasized that the crackdown on overpricing will continue unabated. He declared that no one will be allowed to exploit citizens, and administrative officers will remain active in the field to monitor prices closely. He also directed officials to ensure the timely availability of essential items at Ramadan relief stalls.

Lahore: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has arrested 10 terrorists during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in various cities.

According to a spokesperson, the CTD conducted 73 IBOs in different cities of Punjab, and arrested 10 terrorists. The operations were carried out in Rawalpindi, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar and Jhelum. Terrorists were identified as Riyaz, Shafiq, Rashid, Javed, Zahir, Zahiruddin, Hafeez, Wazir, Asif and Waheed.

Two dangerous terrorists affiliated with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were arrested from Khushab and Jhelum along with explosive materials.

Officials reported that explosive materials, one improvised explosive device (IED), 19 detonators, 35 feet of safety fuse wire, pamphlets, cash, and mobile phones were recovered from terrorists.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has announced that the Sahiwal Institute of Cardiology will be made fully operational by June.

He made this statement during a surprise visit to Sahiwal Teaching Hospital on Saturday, accompanied by Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mahmood, according to a news release issued by the Health Department here on Saturday.

The minister inspected various departments, including the Emergency, OPD, Medical Ward, Pharmacy, Dialysis Center, and Institute of Cardiology. He emphasized that surprise visits to government hospitals have been initiated to assess their conditions. "Following the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the government is striving to provide quality healthcare services to the people," he stated. He further directed that the presence of senior doctors on duty should be ensured at all times and warned that no complaints regarding the shortage of medicines would be tolerated.

During his visit, Khawaja Salman Rafique distributed Chief Minister's Dialysis Cards among patients at the Dialysis Center and praised the efforts being made to provide quality treatment. He also announced that 20 new dialysis machines will be provided to improve services for kidney patients.

Principal Professor Dr. Muhammad Imran Hassan Khan briefed the minister on the progress of the Sahiwal Institute of Cardiology, stating that the building construction has been completed, and the procurement of medical equipment is underway. Khawaja Salman Rafique reiterated the government's commitment to making the facility fully functional by June.

On this occasion, Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood raised concerns about doctors working in private clinics during duty hours, stating that the government is spending Rs. 210 billion annually on salaries in teaching hospitals, and any negligence in public healthcare services is unacceptable.

Other key officials present included Chairman Chief Minister Task Force Dr. Farqad Alamgir, Special Secretary Operations Tariq Mahmood Rahmani, Additional Secretary Anwar Bariar, and Deputy Secretary Budget Hammad Al-Rab.

Lahore: On the occasion of International Women's Day, Punjab Women Protection Authority (PWPA) Chairperson and Member of the Punjab Assembly Hina Parvez Butt submitted a resolution in the Punjab Assembly, paying tribute to the courageous and determined women of Pakistan.

The resolution reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding women's rights and promoting gender equality.

The resolution honored iconic women leaders, including Fatima Jinnah, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, Benazir Bhutto, and Maryam Nawaz Sharif, for their exceptional contributions to democracy. It also acknowledged the remarkable achievements of Pakistan's first female General, Nigar Johar, IT prodigy Arfa Karim, and fighter pilot Marium Mukhtiar, celebrating their bravery and excellence in their respective fields.

Highlighting the need for further effective legislation, the resolution reiterated the commitment to protecting women's rights, including their inheritance rights. It also highlighted the importance of supporting working women and underscored the Punjab Assembly's role in fostering an inclusive and empowering environment for women.

Hina Parvez stated, "Women are the backbone of our society. Their protection, empowerment, and recognition remain our top priorities. Punjab will always be at the forefront in promoting women's rights and ensuring their progress."

The resolution was seen as a significant step towards reinforcing women's rights and acknowledging their invaluable contributions to Pakistan's progress.

Lahore: Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Program Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan has reaffirmed the government's commitment to empowering women economically and supporting minority rights under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Speaking at the Dr. Ruth Pfau Award 2025 ceremony on Saturday, he emphasised the crucial role of minorities in national development and paid tribute to Dr Ruth Pfau, describing her as a true savior of suffering humanity.

Rana Mashhood highlighted that Pakistan's economy is on the path to recovery due to the government's efforts. He noted that nearly half of the country's population consists of women, and under the Prime Minister's directives, various measures are being implemented to create respectable employment and business opportunities for women and youth.

Under the National Youth Employment Plan, the government is equipping young people with skill training, internships, business support, and job opportunities across different sectors. Specialized training programs in technology, digital skills, and other key fields are also being introduced to prepare the youth for modern challenges.

He stressed that the government is committed to providing equal opportunities to talented young individuals to help them realise their potential. For women's empowerment, initiatives include providing capital and resources for home-based businesses, low-cost loans through the Youth Loan Scheme, and access to training and entrepreneurship development programs.

Addressing the role of minorities, Rana Mashhood underlined that their contributions to national progress are invaluable and assured that the government is dedicated to protecting their rights and ensuring their well-being.

He also paid tribute to Dr. Ruth Pfau's legacy in establishing leprosy treatment centers across Pakistan, acknowledging her relentless service to humanity.

The ceremony concluded with Rana Mashhood distributing shields to individuals who made significant contributions to the social sector. The event was attended by Christian social leaders, journalists, and other dignitaries, including Focal Person Rizwan Ahmad and Sohail Sadiq.