Category: Lahore

Lahore: Punjab Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said on Thursday that the Punjab government had launched various programmes under the dynamic leadership of Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz to strengthen livestock sector and these programmes were yielding positive results.

He presided over the meeting here which reviewed progress of livestock card, distribution of assets among divorced and widow women of South Punjab rural areas besides others projects.

Till now 13,451 farmers had received livestock cards, he said and added that negligence with regard to timely delivery of livestock cards to farmers would not be tolerated at all.

Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani directed the relevant authorities to improve vaccination production capacity to reduce effects of foot-and-mouth disease.

Lahore: An anti-corruption court on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the Chiniot Mines and Minerals case against former Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan and others until April 16.

Judge Muhammad Faisal Ahmad presided over the proceedings, during which Sibtain Khan and other accused appeared and marked their attendance.

During the proceedings, the court noted that copies of the challan would be distributed at the next session, emphasizing the mandatory attendance of all accused.

The case, previously under the jurisdiction of an accountability court, was transferred to the anti-corruption court on October 9, 2024, following the reinstatement of certain amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance 1999. Besides Sibtain Khan, other accused in the case include Salman Ghani, Muhammad Aslam, Abdul Sattar Mian, and Imtiaz Ahmad Cheema.

Sibtain Khan is accused of misusing his authority in 2007 to award a multi-billion-rupee contract to a firm of his choice while serving as Punjab's minister for Mines and Minerals under the PML-Q government. The firm allegedly had a paid-up capital of only Rs. 2.5 million and lacked the necessary experience for the project.

Lahore: The Women's Development Centre at the University of Education Lahore organised a series of events to commemorate International Women's Day 2025.

Various intellectual and motivational activities were arranged to celebrate women's achievements and advocate for gender equality and women's rights.

The second issue of the university's first women's magazine, She Shines, was also launched. This magazine represents the voices, accomplishments, and aspirations of women.

The main event was presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, while the chief guest was Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum, Principal of Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore. Several distinguished personalities from various academic and administrative sectors attended and addressed the event, including: Prof. Dr. Samina Mazhar (Principal, University Bank Road Campus), Najma Rashid (Advocate, High Court of Pakistan), zr. Sara Rizvi Jafri (Department of Sociology, Forman Christian College, Lahore), Captain Qadir Sarfaraz (Pilot and CEO, Airmen Ground), Asma Akram (Medalist, South Asian Championship), Dr. Sadaf Zahra Syed (MBBS, MCPS, FCPS, Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore), Sarah Ayub (Provincial Coordinator, National Forum of Women with Disabilities)

In his speech, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Akif Anwar Chaudhry shared his thoughts on empowering women. He stated that the issue of women's rights is not just a national but a global concern, and that both men and women must be educated and made aware of it.

Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum, emphasized that women need to stand strong and face their challenges with resilience. A significant part of the event was a panel discussion on the theme "For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment." Prominent professionals from different fields participated, sharing their experiences and insights on gender equality, the challenges women face in various professions, and strategies for empowering women and girls.

At the conclusion of the event, Dr. Muqaddas Butt, In-Charge of the University Women's Development Center, thanked all the guests, speakers, and organizers, expressing satisfaction with the successful execution of this memorable event.

Lahore: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Mid City Hospital signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday to offer exclusive healthcare benefits to LCCI members and their families.

The agreement was formalised in a ceremony attended by LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad and Mid City Hospital CEO Prof. Dr. Saqib Siddiq, along with other senior LCCI officials.

Under the MoU, the Mid City Hospital will provide a 20pc discount on inpatient services, routine laboratory tests, and radiology services, as well as a 6pc discount on pharmacy medicines for LCCI members presenting a valid membership card. The partnership aims to ensure access to high-quality healthcare at reduced costs.

LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad highlighted that the initiative reflects LCCI's commitment to the well-being of its members, emphasizing that access to premium healthcare is essential for the business community.

Mid City Hospital CEO Prof. Dr. Saqib Siddiq assured that the hospital would deliver world-class medical services through its specialized departments and experienced consultants. He expressed pride in partnering with LCCI to enhance healthcare standards in the region.

The MoU is effective for one year, with options for modifications based on mutual consent. LCCI officials emphasized that the agreement underscores the importance of corporate responsibility and strategic partnerships for the betterment of society.

The signing ceremony concluded with both organizations reaffirming their commitment to collaborative efforts that benefit the business community and the broader society.

Lahore: The Punjab government has decided to outsource Rural Health Centers (RHCs) across the province to improve efficiency and service quality.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, which focused on comprehensive reforms in the health sector. Several key measures were approved to upgrade healthcare infrastructure, enhance medical facilities, and ensure access to quality treatment, especially in remote and underprivileged areas.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif reiterated her commitment to achieving significant improvements in Punjab's public hospitals. She expressed concern over the inadequate cleanliness in hospitals, describing it as "extremely regrettable and painful." The Chief Minister stressed the urgent need for advanced medical facilities in rural areas and assured that modern medical equipment is being gradually provided to hospitals across the province. She also highlighted that sustainable measures are underway to address the shortage of doctors and medical staff, aiming to bring Punjab's healthcare standards in line with international benchmarks.

Earlier, officials briefed the Chief Minister, revealing that 225 RHCs have been fully revamped and transformed into modern clinics with enhanced medical facilities. Out of 1,147 health centers, 766 have been renovated, while 396 have been handed over to the Health Department for improved management. After outsourcing, these clinics will operate 24/7 to better serve patients. It was also reported that young doctors managing these health centers have witnessed a threefold increase in patient numbers due to improved services.

The meeting also approved a plan to convert these health centers into primary referral centers, providing medical and diagnostic services on par with major hospitals. The upgraded facilities will include general surgery, gynecology, diagnostic tests, and other essential medical services. Additionally, the government plans to establish specialized units such as burn centers, cardiac units, and pediatric wards at the district level. A proposal to develop Medical Cities at the divisional level for specialized treatments is also under consideration, including a Mega Medical City along the Lahore Ring Road to provide state-of-the-art healthcare services.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered for immediate construction and expansion of access roads for Murree Samli General Hospital. She ordered that the OPD at Nawaz Sharif Institute of Sargodha be made operational by June and that Jinnah Hospital PIC-2 be functional by September 30. She also instructed that Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital be made fully operational within the stipulated timeframe. Furthermore, the Chief Minister emphasized expediting the completion of Board of Governors' nominations and other administrative processes for hospitals.

During the briefing, it was disclosed that under the Chief Minister's Special Initiative Transplant Program, five kidney transplants and one liver transplant have been successfully completed. Similarly, under the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Program, 6,900 patients have been registered, with 2,625 having received treatment. The Chief Minister's Dialysis Program has also benefited over 8,000 patients, with 7,630 new registrations. Additionally, 7.2 million patients have been served by mobile health clinics across Punjab under the Clinic on Wheels Initiative, and free medicines worth Rs. 6.7 billion have been distributed in OPDs across the province. Under the Maryam Nawaz Community Health Inspector Program, 12,671 applications have been received for inspectors who will conduct home surveys, collect disease data, and analyze health trends. The Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic Program has also received 2,230 applications for the Health Manager Portal.

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment to revolutionize Punjab's healthcare system, ensuring accessible and high-quality medical services for all citizens.

Lahore: Pakistan Sugar Mills Association Punjab Zone (PSMA) spokesman said here on Thursday that sugar prices have not increased due to exports.

He mentioned that some unfounded misconceptions have been raised in media by linking sugar price hikes with sugar exports without establishing factual factors. He explained that due to a conservative approach, sugar industry was not timely allowed export permission which caused serious liquidity issues for the industry. At the end of September 2024, industry had two years of surplus sugar production in pipeline (approximately 1.5 million metric tons valuing Rs. 250 billion) which was pledged with banks at nearly 25 per cent interest rate. Notwithstanding the fact that storage life of sugar is only two years, after that it becomes unfit for human consumption. It is an international practice that whenever local production of a food commodity becomes surplus, it is exported.

It was mutually agreed with the government since the time of first export permission that sugar prices will not exceed Rs. 140 ex-mill per kg during export period but due to huge surplus stocks, the ex-mill prices remained much below this benchmark continuously for many months. Almost 50 per cent of total available sugar was sold much below its cost of production causing massive losses to the industry. Continuous production of surplus sugar every year without its exports and domestic sale of sugar below its cost of production caused huge losses to the industry, he maintained.