Lahore police arrests 1,324 professional beggars

Lahore: Lahore Police has intensified its crackdown on organised begging networks, arresting 1,324 professional beggars and registering 1,310 cases this year as part of its ongoing efforts to curb the menace.

According to a statement issued by the Lahore Police spokesman on Tuesday, those arrested include 1,236 men, 78 women and 10 facilitators. The arrests were made across various divisions with 329 in City Division, 257 in Cantt Division, 190 in Civil Lines, 149 in Saddar, 140 in Iqbal Town and 259 in Model Town.

Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana reaffirmed the department's commitment to dismantling the beggar mafia operating in the provincial capital. He stressed that professional beggars who exploit children and women as shields to solicit alms will not be shown any leniency.

The CCPO directed field officers to intensify operations against those who manage and facilitate begging networks, ensuring that criminals masquerading as beggars are brought to justice. Kamyana also instructed traffic police to continue their crackdown on organised begging at major roads and intersections.

Free treatment right of every patient: CM

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has made significant strides in improving pediatric healthcare, ensuring free treatment for hundreds of children in need.

In a statement, the CM while speaking about the progress at Lahore Children's Hospital, she proudly shared that 150 children have successfully undergone bone marrow transplants in the past year, marking a historic achievement at Pakistan's first government-funded institution dedicated to pediatric care.

The CM said 'The right to free treatment belongs to every child,' pointing out that the hospital has maintained an impressive success rate of over 89 percent for these bone marrow transplants, in line with international standards. She revealed that over Rs 4.2 million have been allocated for these procedures, with children not only from across Punjab but also from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, other provinces, and even Afghanistan receiving the life-saving treatments.

The CM announced plans to introduce a bone marrow transplant card, ensuring that parents of sick children will no longer bear the financial burden of treatment. 'Every child is more precious to me than my own,' she said, reaffirming her commitment to prioritizing the health of children. 'There will be no compromise on their health, and we will provide all necessary resources.'

In addition to the bone marrow transplants, CM Maryam Nawaz said that 2,000 children have received treatment in the cancer ward, while 25,000 children have benefited from outpatient cancer care at the hospital over the past year.

Dr. Masood Sadiq, Vice Chancellor of the University of Child Health Sciences, noted that, under the Chief Minister's direction, no child in need of a bone marrow transplant is turned away, and post-treatment medicines and follow-up care are provided free of charge.

PU organizes two-day workshop on Advanced Aluminium Alloys

Lahore: Punjab University Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (IMME) in collaboration with Pakistan Advanced Materials Forum (PAMF) organized a two-day workshop on "Advanced Aluminium Alloys" at Al Raazi Hall.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by PAMF General Secretary Dr Syed Khalid Shah, Executive Member Arshad Nawaz Khan, Former Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology Prof Dr Muhammad Taqi Zahid Butt, Former President PAMF Engr. Tahir Ikram, Director IMME Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran, faculty members, students and over 80 participants from industry leaders, researchers were present. In his address, Dr Syed Khalid Shah highlighted the role of PAMF towards knowledge sharing by holding different workshops and conferences over the past decade.

Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran highlighted the need of research and up gradation of existing industrial facilities to improve the quality of the products to increase the export.

Arshad Nawaz highlighted the potential growth in demand in future and encouraged the industry and academia to work jointly to improve quality of products, innovate and diversify the production profile.

The workshop featured three technical sessions along with two lab demonstration sessions and an exhibition, where leading companies like Chenab Engineering Madina Auto Industries, SOAN Enterprises Islamabad, B.R. Casting, Noor Ashraf and Sons, AZCO, Indus Tooling Solution, Metal House, AP. CHEM, Akram and Sons Enterprises, Pro Tech Engineers showcased their latest technologies and innovations. On first day two technical sessions which comprised lectures on Hi-Tech Applications of Al Alloys, Structure Property Relationship, Aluminum Metallurgy and Hot Spray Al Alloys were delivered. Moreover two practical sessions on NDT/UT and Microscopy were arranged. The workshop plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between academia and industry by promoting research, innovation, and commercialization of advanced materials.

Delegation of National Management Course visits TEPA office

Lahore: A ten-member delegation from the 121st National Management Course visited the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA) office for a briefing on various ongoing projects and initiatives.

The delegation was welcomed by Tahir Farooq, Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and Iqrar Hussain Chief Engineer TEPA, who provided detailed information on the city's traffic management and infrastructure development efforts. The delegation was briefed on TEPA's measures to improve traffic flow in the city, with a focus on ongoing operations to address illegal parking, signboards and encroachments.

The delegation was also updated on IT-based reforms being implemented by both LDA and TEPA to enhance administrative efficiency. In addition, the delegation was briefed on proposed initiatives aimed at improving pedestrian facilities in the city.

The delegation was also informed about sustainable development efforts under the LDA schemes, and the ongoing actions taken to enforce parking regulations throughout the city. Furthermore, the delegation was updated on various traffic improvement measures, including patchwork repairs, u-turn improvements, and signal enhancements aimed at reducing congestion and improving overall traffic management.

The delegation included officers from various federal departments such as the Police Service of Pakistan, Pakistan Administrative Service, Railways, Postal Service and other government institutions.

PU signs cooperation protocol with Yunus Emre Institute

Lahore: Punjab University has signed a Cooperation Protocol with the Yunus Emre Institute to promote Turkish language, culture and arts through academic collaboration.

Under the agreement, the Yunus Emre Institute will offer Turkish language courses at PU, provide native-speaking instructors, and support cultural initiatives. The PU will facilitate these efforts through infrastructure and academic partnerships.

In this regard, an MoU signing ceremony was held at PU VC's office committee room here on Tuesday. PU VC Dr Muhammad Ali and Consul General of Turkiye H.E. Durmus Bastug alongside Director, Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center Pakistan Dr Halil Toker and Ms. Saliha Tuna from TIKA Islamabad signed the agreement.

The ceremony was attended by PU Dean of Oriental Learning Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran, Director External Linkages Prof Dr Yaamina Salman, Registrar Dr Ahmad Islam and others. The four-year agreement strengthens academic and cultural ties between Pakistan and Turkiye.

PU signs cooperation protocol with Yunus Emre Institute

Lahore: Punjab University has signed a Cooperation Protocol with the Yunus Emre Institute to promote Turkish language, culture and arts through academic collaboration.

Under the agreement, the Yunus Emre Institute will offer Turkish language courses at PU, provide native-speaking instructors, and support cultural initiatives. The PU will facilitate these efforts through infrastructure and academic partnerships.

In this regard, an MoU signing ceremony was held at PU VC's office committee room here on Tuesday. PU VC Dr Muhammad Ali and Consul General of Turkiye H.E. Durmus Bastug alongside Director, Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center Pakistan Dr Halil Toker and Ms. Saliha Tuna from TIKA Islamabad signed the agreement.

The ceremony was attended by PU Dean of Oriental Learning Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran, Director External Linkages Prof Dr Yaamina Salman, Registrar Dr Ahmad Islam and others. The four-year agreement strengthens academic and cultural ties between Pakistan and Turkiye.