Category: Lahore

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the Punjab government is determined to build 500,000 houses in five years for deserving individuals.

The CM chaired a special meeting to review the 3-marla free plot scheme, here on Wednesday. The meeting focused on providing plots to deserving individuals along with financial support to help them construct their homes.

During the meeting, the CM directed authorities to rehabilitate and improve 23 previous housing schemes developed by the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) across 19 districts. She also instructed the immediate release of funds to accelerate these efforts.

Emphasizing the significance of housing for the underprivileged, CM Punjab expressed her deep commitment to the cause, stating, 'Providing shelter to the homeless is a major concern. It brings me great joy to see homes being built under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' programme.'

Earlier, DG PHATA briefed the Chief Minister on the progress of the housing initiative. He informed her that loan repayments under the program have begun, with a 100 percent repayment rate recorded so far. He further updated that 9,661 houses are nearing completion across Punjab under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' program. CM Punjab directed PHATA authorities to ensure the completion of the target by March.

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday suspended the process of direct recruitment of senior registrars (Cardiology) by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) until further notice.

Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir issued the order while hearing a petition filed by Medical Officer (Cardiology) Dr. Asif Rehmat and three others. The court also sought a reply from the Secretary of Primary and Secondary Healthcare.

During the proceedings, Advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada, representing the petitioners, argued that his clients were serving as medical officers (Cardiology) in public sector hospitals and were eligible for promotion to senior registrar positions. However, despite repeated requests, the relevant authorities had failed to convene a meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee.

He contended that instead of promoting eligible medical officers, the department had opted to recruit new senior registrars through the PPSC, a move he termed unjust and illegal. He requested the court to suspend the recruitment process until the promotion matter was resolved.

After hearing the arguments, the court halted the direct recruitment process and directed the health authorities to submit a response.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the Punjab government is determined to build 500,000 houses in five years for deserving individuals.

The CM chaired a special meeting to review the 3-marla free plot scheme, here on Wednesday. The meeting focused on providing plots to deserving individuals along with financial support to help them construct their homes.

During the meeting, the CM directed authorities to rehabilitate and improve 23 previous housing schemes developed by the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) across 19 districts. She also instructed the immediate release of funds to accelerate these efforts.

Emphasizing the significance of housing for the underprivileged, CM Punjab expressed her deep commitment to the cause, stating, 'Providing shelter to the homeless is a major concern. It brings me great joy to see homes being built under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' programme.'

Earlier, DG PHATA briefed the Chief Minister on the progress of the housing initiative. He informed her that loan repayments under the program have begun, with a 100 percent repayment rate recorded so far. He further updated that 9,661 houses are nearing completion across Punjab under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' program. CM Punjab directed PHATA authorities to ensure the completion of the target by March.

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: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the Punjab government is determined to build 500,000 houses in five years for deserving individuals.

The CM chaired a special meeting to review the 3-marla free plot scheme, here on Wednesday. The meeting focused on providing plots to deserving individuals along with financial support to help them construct their homes.

During the meeting, the CM directed authorities to rehabilitate and improve 23 previous housing schemes developed by the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) across 19 districts. She also instructed the immediate release of funds to accelerate these efforts.

Emphasizing the significance of housing for the underprivileged, CM Punjab expressed her deep commitment to the cause, stating, 'Providing shelter to the homeless is a major concern. It brings me great joy to see homes being built under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' programme.'

Earlier, DG PHATA briefed the Chief Minister on the progress of the housing initiative. He informed her that loan repayments under the program have begun, with a 100 percent repayment rate recorded so far. He further updated that 9,661 houses are nearing completion across Punjab under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' program. CM Punjab directed PHATA authorities to ensure the completion of the target by March.

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday appointed all-rounder Salman Ali Agha captain of the Pakistan Men's T20I squad with Shadab Khan as his deputy in a new look New Zealand bound squad selected for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, though selected for the ODI series, are the conspicuous absentees from the T20I squad while Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman missed out selection due to injuries and are likely to return to action in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) X in April. However, Mohammad Rizwan has been retained as ODI captain with Salman Ali Agha as the vice-captain.

Pakistan interim head coach Aqib Javed alongside newly elevated T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, during a press conference at the Gaddafi stadium here on Tuesday, announced the T20I and ODI squads for the New Zealand tour which includes five T20Is and three ODIs between March 16 and April 5.

In another development PCB has appointed former batting great Mohammad Yousuf as batting coach of the Men's cricket team.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf have been selected for the T20I series in New Zealand while they were dropped from the ODI squad and Aqib Javed defended their absence from the ODI team due to below par performances in the format.

Abdullah Shafique has been recalled for the ODI series after being ignored for the Champions Trophy while five players are likely to debut in T20Is and ODIs are part of the squad. All-rounder Irfan Khan Niazi has been picked in both the squads after being left out in the Champions Trophy squad.

As per the interim head coach Aqib Javed, the decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as T20I captain and vice-captain, respectively, has been made with an eye on two major upcoming tournaments - the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025 (September 2025) and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (February/March 2026). Salman previously led Pakistan in a T20I series against Zimbabwe last year, winning 2-1.

As part of preparations for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan is set to play a minimum of five T20Is in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 and three T20Is each against West Indies (away, July), Afghanistan (home, August), Ireland (home, September), South Africa (home, September/October), Sri Lanka (home, November) and Australia (home, January 2026).

Mohammad Rizwan will continue leading the ODI side as Pakistan builds towards the ICC Men's 50-over Cricket World Cup 2027, which will take place in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe in October/November 2027.

T20I squad - Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan.

ODI squad - Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim and Tayyab Tahir. A wicketkeeper/batter will be added to the ODI squad following the T20Is

In the T20I squad, there are three uncapped players - Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali - while Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali the two players who have yet to debut in ODIs. The four players have been rewarded for their impressive performances in the Champions One-Day and T20 Cups.

In the Champions T20 Cup, Abdul Samad scored 115 runs at a strike-rate of 166.67 after aggregating 145 runs at a strike-rate of 122.88 in the Champions One-Day Cup. Likewise, Hasan Nawaz had a staller Champions T20 Cup, finishing as the second leading run-getter with 312 runs at a strike-rate of 142.47. Mohammad Ali with 22 wickets was the leading wicket-taker in Champions T20 Cup, while he took three wickets in the Champions One-Day Cup.

Akif Javed has been selected in the ODI side after his seven wickets in five Champions One-Day Cup matches, while he took 15 wickets in the Champions T20 Cup.

Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for either format on medical advice. Fakhar suffered a left lower intercostal muscle sprain during Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, while Saim is recovering from a right ankle fracture sustained on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January. Both are expected to be fully fit for the HBL Pakistan Super League 10, starting in Rawalpindi on 11 April 2025.

Aqib Javed will continue as interim head coach for the New Zealand tour. His original term was until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but he has been asked to extend his tenure while the search for a permanent head coach begins. Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as batting coach.

Player Support Personnel - Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Aqib Javed (interim head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Mohammad Masroor (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media and digital manager) and Sergio Basil Mullins (masseur).

New Zealand tour schedule:

16 Mar - first T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

18 Mar - second T20I, University Oval, Dunedin

21 Mar - third T20I, Eden Park, Auckland

23 Mar - fourth T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

26 Mar - fifth T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington

29 Mar - first ODI, McLean Park, Napier

2 Apr - second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton

5 Apr - third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui