Category: Lahore

Lahore: Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza has said that district administration is committed to providing relief to the public, emphasising that controlling inflation and stabilising prices during Ramazan remains a top priority.

In a media statement issued on Sunday, he directed authorities to take strict measures against inflation and price hike during the holy month. 'Ramazan should be a time of peace and blessings for all Muslims,' he said, underscoring the administration's resolve to curb profiteering.

The DC instructed price control magistrates to maintain a strong field presence throughout the month, ensuring strict monitoring of both prices and the quality of essential commodities. He assured that the administration would guarantee the availability of quality goods at reasonable rates. The district administration, he stated, has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against profiteers, making it clear that price manipulation and illegal profiteering will not be tolerated anywhere in the city, including at Ramazan Sahulat Stalls.

The DC assured that excellent facilities would be provided to citizens during Ramazan, with proper security arrangements at Ramazan Model Bazaars. Special provisions have been made for elderly citizens and women, with dedicated queues set up at all relevant facilities. He also ordered price control magistrates to maximize inspections to prevent price exploitation.

Reiterating the administration's firm stance, he said that violators of price regulations will face strict action. He urged all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring relief for citizens during the holy month. The Market Committee has been fully mobilized to maintain strict vigilance against profiteers and prevent artificial price hikes in city markets.

The DC emphasized that essential commodities, including potatoes, onions, and tomatoes, will be available in sufficient quantities, and their prices will be strictly regulated. 'Price control of essential items during the month of Ramazan will be strictly enforced,' he asserted. He also directed Assistant Commissioners, Price Control Magistrates, and their teams to remain active at all times to maintain market stability.

'Keeping prices under control is our top priority,' he said, urging citizens to report complaints to the control room at 0307-0002345. He instructed officials to ensure the prompt resolution of all public grievances related to pricing and market regulations.

Lahore: Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Athar Waheed Saturday outlined significant steps being taken under the 'First Clean and Then Clear' programme, aimed at restoring the beauty of Lahore.

During a meeting at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here, he revealed that a comprehensive 20-point agenda had been developed to tackle various urban issues.

The meeting was attended by LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry, former Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar, and former VPs Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol and Adnan Khalid Butt, along with several executive committee members.

CTO Waheed highlighted the challenges of managing Lahore, whose population exceeds that of 122 individual countries. He said that efficient city management was a shared responsibility, requiring cooperation from all institutions. He shared that 1,400 operations had been conducted over the past 50 days to clear major roads of encroachments, stressing the need for public-private partnerships to achieve the best results. Waheed also proposed utilising unused government land for temporary parking spaces to address traffic issues.

Addressing the issue of beggary, Waheed expressed concern over its negative impact on both citizens and the country's image. He noted the success of traffic police efforts to reduce beggars at traffic signals, but stressed the need for updated laws to better address the issue.

The CTO also announced the implementation of mandatory helmet laws for both motorcycle riders and loader rickshaws. Additionally, e-challans issued to government employees are now directly deducted from their salaries as a step toward greater accountability. Waheed asserted that societal behaviour would only improve when institutions set the right example.

To further enhance the capacity and efficiency of the traffic police, a special committee has been formed to develop new operational rules. Waheed also underlined the importance of skill development within the education system, with teachers and the business community playing key roles in shaping society.

LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad thanked CTO Waheed for resuming the driving test process at LCCI for new licences. He suggested scheduling the tests on weekends to accommodate LCCI members while ensuring normal chamber operations. Shad also commended the effective traffic management plan during the ICC Champions Trophy and called for a similar approach during the upcoming 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), set to take place from April 11 to May 18, with 13 matches in Lahore. He urged the CTO to ensure traffic arrangements during match days do not disrupt daily life, especially business activities.

He discussed the challenges of managing traffic in Lahore's densely populated areas, where major markets contribute to congestion. He suggested that traffic wardens focus more on regulating traffic flow rather than simply issuing fines, and proposed increasing the number of wardens in high-traffic zones. He also requested collaboration with TEPA (Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency) to remodel these areas to ease congestion.

LCCI Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry noted improvements in traffic law compliance since the introduction of electronic traffic violation tickets and expressed support for higher penalties to enforce traffic discipline. He highlighted persistent issues with one-way violations, particularly at U-turns, and recommended installing tire killers where feasible. Additionally, he proposed the appointment of focal persons in different areas of Lahore to coordinate with traffic DSPs and address traffic issues impacting the business community.

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced a full ticket refund for the two ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches that were abandoned without a ball being bowled at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The affected matches include Australia vs South Africa on 25 February, and Bangladesh vs Pakistan on 27 February.

As per the PCB Ticket Refund Policy for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ticket holders are eligible for a full refund if:

The match was abandoned before the toss.

All enclosure tickets will be refunded Ticket holders of hospitality tickets (boxes and PCB gallery) will not be eligible for a refunded Eligible ticket holders can claim their refund at select TCS outlets between Monday, 10 March 2025 to Friday, 14 March 2025 (late requests will not be entertained). The following will be required:

o Present an original / undamaged ticket as proof of purchase.

o The purchaser will have to personally visit the TCS outlet to claim a refund. His/her refund cannot be claimed on his/her behalf

The following are TCS outlets, where the ticket holders can visit and claim their refund:

Faisalabad - Harrianwala Express Center, 270 -B Harrianwala Chowk Near Shaukat Fabrics

Gujranwala - New Area Office Express Center, Opposite Jamia Azizia and Super Asia GT Road

Hyderabad - Area Office Express Center, Autobhan Road Near Toyota Motors Site Area

Islamabad - I-9 Express Center, Plot No. 394-A Pothohar Road Near Police Station Sector I-9/3

Karachi - Head Office Express Center, 101-104 CAA Club Road Near Hajj Terminal - 3; AND, Ittehad Flagship Express Center, 15-C Lane 10 Phase 6

Lahore - Gulberg Express Center, 58/D-1 Gulberg- III; AND, Thokar Niaz Baig Express Center, Ali Town Stop, Near HBL Raiwind Road

Multan - Area Office Express Center, 985/B, Tareen Road

Rawalpindi - Khanna Express Center, TCS Regional Office, Near Fazaia Colony Link Road

Peshawar - Ring Road Area Office Express Center, Ring Road Near Neelam CNG Motorway

Quetta - Jinnah Road Express Center, Near Dr. Bano Road, Main Jinnah Road.

Lahore: The Punjab Home Department has launched an awareness campaign to warn citizens against fraudulent elements.

The Punjab Home Department issued important instructions to prevent fraud through social media. The department sources told reporter that through its warnings' note, it has warned that citizens should use social media and all digital platforms responsibly, adding to never share information with unknown people on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

They said that citizens should not send any money or codes on calls and messages from unknown numbers. Furthermore, the department has guided citizens to not share codes and account numbers for purchasing non-custom paid items with anyone, adding do not send any money on false calls about the kidnapping of a loved one.

Citizens have been further instructed not to give their official, personal or family information to any unknown person, while, citizens should avoid opening any suspicious or unknown links on the internet, they added.

Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said on Saturday that 80 Ramadan Sahulat bazaars had been set up across the province. According to a handout issued here, she said that quality and inexpensive essential items were available at these Sahulat bazaars. She said that ghee, flour, fruits, pulses, vegetables and sugar were available in Sahulat Ramadan bazaars at low rate comparing to the market rate. Azma said that 10 Sahulat Ramadan bazaars were set up in Lahore, eight in Rawalpindi, 33 in Faisalabad, Jhelum and Nankana Sahib while Sahulat bazaars were also set up in other districts. The minister said that for the first time in the history, the Punjab government had launched Ramadan package worth Rs 30 billion for deserving people.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that a modern transport system is a fundamental right for women living in rural areas. Chairing a meeting on Saturday, the CM directed the relevant authorities to prepare Punjab's first Women's Transport Solution Plan, aimed at addressing the transportation needs of rural women. The plan includes the launch of bus services from every rural tehsil to district headquarters, as well as an inter-village transport plan. The CM said: "Without a proper transport system, rural women face immense challenges." She expressed her concern over the uncomfortable conditions rural women endure while traveling on public transport. "It is disheartening to see rural women traveling under such difficult circumstances. The introduction of a modern transport system will significantly boost the confidence of rural women," she said. The chief minister highlighted that the new initiative would bring ease of transportation to female students and sick women. She reviewed a pro posal to gradually implement a mass transit system in remote districts, starting with 25 buses. Additionally, she instructed the authorities to take immediate action to provide subsidies for women passengers using the mass transit system.