Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajiv Shukla said that bilateral cricket between Pakistan and India was only possible if governments of the two countries decided to do so.

In an interaction with the media during second semi-final of the Champions Trophy between New Zealand and South Africa at the Gaddafi stadium on Wednesday, he said it is very nice feeling to hold Pak-India series but the decision is to be taken by the Indian government and not the ICC.

Shukla is one of the heads of member boards besides Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed, Executive Director (CEO) Cricket South Africa (CSA) Pholetsi Moseki, Vice President CSA Dr. Mohammed Moosajee, and Director New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Roger Twose who arrived on special invitation of PCB Chairman Naqvi to visit Lahore and watch the second semi-final at the Gaddafi stadium.

Shukla, when asked about the chances of the ice in relations to thaw, did not give any deadlines, adding that all depended on the governments on both sides of the border when bilateral cricket would happen. He also mentioned an ICC provision which required government consent for a team to participate in the ICC event.

On an India-Pak bilateral cricket series at a neutral venue, Rajiv Shukla, who also member of Rajya Sabha in India, said it is true that the fans wish to watch both nation play against each other but it has been the BCCI policy to play a bilateral series on each other's soil.

On offer by the ECB to host Pak-India bilateral series on English soil, he said 'who will not like to host an India-Pakistan series in its country.'

To a question, he said it was very nice to visit the Gaddafi stadium which has been built anew and watch the Champions Trophy semi-final, adding that the Champions Trophy had been very well organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

On the advantage to the Indian team for playing all CT 25 matches at one venue in Dubai, he said 'There is no question of fair or unfair as the decision on India playing at one venue was taken at the ICC level long before the Champions Trophy started.' He said India did not play on the one pitch only and every match was being played on a different turf.

On his favorite food in Lahore, Rajiv Shukla praised the food street in Lahore, adding that the food streets are very attractive and a source of tourism for the country. He said he had visited the Food Street in Gawalmandi, Lahore during the Indian team's tour in 2006, adding that the food streets are more embellished and attractive today.

On preference for some food in Lahore, Shukla said the food, faces and language were common on both sides of the border.

BCCI VP Shukla said that the PCB is hosting a 'Night Tour' of the Lahore Fort to the visiting heads of member boards and the ICC officials tonight and he will be able to see more of Lahore.

Lahore: Lahore Divisional Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood chaired a divisional review meeting to assess the distribution of pay orders under the ‘Nighban Ramazan’ initiative for low-income individuals, as announced by the Chief Minister of Punjab.

During the meeting, the commissioner was informed that the Punjab government has commenced the distribution of pay orders for registered citizens under the Nighban Ramazan program. Teams have been formed at the Tehsil and UC levels to distribute the pay orders received from the banks.

Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood stated that a total of 399,205 low-income families in Lahore Division are receiving the pay orders, with the amount being 10,000 rupees per family. He emphasized that the full 10,000 rupees would be paid to the title holders without any deductions. If any deductions are made by individuals or agents, complaints should be registered.

Special teams have been set up at the Tehsil and UC levels for the distribution of these pay orders.

Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood further instructed that the Chief Minister’s initiative for low-income individuals should be carried out with integrity, ensuring that the full amount reaches the deserving individuals. No franchise, agent, or government fee should be charged, and citizens are urged to remain cautious.

He also directed that all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) personally monitor the distribution process, ensuring strict legal action against those who make unauthorized deductions. Complaints about deductions should be immediately reported to the helpline 080002345.

The Commissioner highlighted that the distribution includes 199,287 deserving households in Lahore, 81,796 in Sheikhupura, 42,793 in Nankana Sahib, and 75,329 in Kasur. The meeting also reviewed the supply of sugar at sales points and Ramadan bazaars across all districts.

The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Abdul Salam Arif, DC Lahore Syed Musa Rizvi, DC Nankana Muhammad Taseem Rao, DC Kasur Imran Ali, DC Sheikhupura Shahid Imran Marth, and officials from the Punjab Social Protection Authority, who participated via video link.

Lahore: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajiv Shukla said that bilateral cricket between Pakistan and India was only possible if governments of the two countries decided to do so.

In an interaction with the media during second semi-final of the Champions Trophy between New Zealand and South Africa at the Gaddafi stadium on Wednesday, he said it is very nice feeling to hold Pak-India series but the decision is to be taken by the Indian government and not the ICC.

Shukla is one of the heads of member boards besides Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed, Executive Director (CEO) Cricket South Africa (CSA) Pholetsi Moseki, Vice President CSA Dr. Mohammed Moosajee, and Director New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Roger Twose who arrived on special invitation of PCB Chairman Naqvi to visit Lahore and watch the second semi-final at the Gaddafi stadium.

Shukla, when asked about the chances of the ice in relations to thaw, did not give any deadlines, adding that all depended on the governments on both sides of the border when bilateral cricket would happen. He also mentioned an ICC provision which required government consent for a team to participate in the ICC event.

On an India-Pak bilateral cricket series at a neutral venue, Rajiv Shukla, who also member of Rajya Sabha in India, said it is true that the fans wish to watch both nation play against each other but it has been the BCCI policy to play a bilateral series on each other's soil.

On offer by the ECB to host Pak-India bilateral series on English soil, he said 'who will not like to host an India-Pakistan series in its country.'

To a question, he said it was very nice to visit the Gaddafi stadium which has been built anew and watch the Champions Trophy semi-final, adding that the Champions Trophy had been very well organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

On the advantage to the Indian team for playing all CT 25 matches at one venue in Dubai, he said 'There is no question of fair or unfair as the decision on India playing at one venue was taken at the ICC level long before the Champions Trophy started.' He said India did not play on the one pitch only and every match was being played on a different turf.

On his favorite food in Lahore, Rajiv Shukla praised the food street in Lahore, adding that the food streets are very attractive and a source of tourism for the country. He said he had visited the Food Street in Gawalmandi, Lahore during the Indian team's tour in 2006, adding that the food streets are more embellished and attractive today.

On preference for some food in Lahore, Shukla said the food, faces and language were common on both sides of the border.

BCCI VP Shukla said that the PCB is hosting a 'Night Tour' of the Lahore Fort to the visiting heads of member boards and the ICC officials tonight and he will be able to see more of Lahore.

Lahore: Lahore Divisional Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood chaired a divisional review meeting to assess the distribution of pay orders under the 'Nighban Ramazan' initiative for low-income individuals, as announced by the Chief Minister of Punjab.

During the meeting, the commissioner was informed that the Punjab government has commenced the distribution of pay orders for registered citizens under the Nighban Ramazan program. Teams have been formed at the Tehsil and UC levels to distribute the pay orders received from the banks.

Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood stated that a total of 399,205 low-income families in Lahore Division are receiving the pay orders, with the amount being 10,000 rupees per family. He emphasized that the full 10,000 rupees would be paid to the title holders without any deductions. If any deductions are made by individuals or agents, complaints should be registered.

Special teams have been set up at the Tehsil and UC levels for the distribution of these pay orders.

Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood further instructed that the Chief Minister's initiative for low-income individuals should be carried out with integrity, ensuring that the full amount reaches the deserving individuals. No franchise, agent, or government fee should be charged, and citizens are urged to remain cautious.

He also directed that all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) personally monitor the distribution process, ensuring strict legal action against those who make unauthorized deductions. Complaints about deductions should be immediately reported to the helpline 080002345.

The Commissioner highlighted that the distribution includes 199,287 deserving households in Lahore, 81,796 in Sheikhupura, 42,793 in Nankana Sahib, and 75,329 in Kasur. The meeting also reviewed the supply of sugar at sales points and Ramadan bazaars across all districts.

The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Abdul Salam Arif, DC Lahore Syed Musa Rizvi, DC Nankana Muhammad Taseem Rao, DC Kasur Imran Ali, DC Sheikhupura Shahid Imran Marth, and officials from the Punjab Social Protection Authority, who participated via video link.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Khawaja Imran Nazir, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to delivering top-quality healthcare services to the province's 125 million people under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation from the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), led by Professor Khalid Masood Gondal, on Wednesday. The meeting focused on discussions regarding FCPS and MCPS training programs for doctors in the Primary and Secondary Healthcare sector.

Khawaja Imran Nazir emphasized that training doctors at District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs) and Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals (THQs) would help address local healthcare challenges. "Providing modern medical facilities to the public is our mission and top priority," he said.

The minister stated that the Chief Minister would be consulted regarding the FCPS and MCPS training initiatives for DHQ and THQ doctors. He further noted that specialized training at divisional and tehsil levels would help overcome the shortage of consultants, reducing the patient burden on specialized hospitals in Lahore and other major cities.

Highlighting the government's healthcare strategy, he said, 'The Chief Minister is allocating the highest resources to the health department to ensure the provision of quality medical care across Punjab.' He added that revamping DHQs and THQs would provide modern healthcare facilities to remote areas.

'I am continuously visiting hospitals in various districts to ensure the availability of essential medical facilities,' the minister asserted.

Secretary of Primary and Secondary Health Nadia Saqib, Professor Mahmood Ayaz, Dr. Abrar Ashraf, and other officials were also present at the meeting.

Lahore: In an exchange of fire between the Organized Crime Unit City Kotwali and

the robbers, an accused involved in various cases was killed by the firing of his own accomplices.

The police said that the organized crime team was taking the accused to the Shahdara Town police station to recover weapons. Meanwhile, the unidentified accused opened indiscriminate fire on the officials. In retaliation, Zeeshan died due to firing of his own accomplices. According to police officials, the accused was involved in dozens of serious crimes

such as kidnapping and raping children and robbery.