Category: Lahore

Lahore: Punjab Home Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal on Friday paid a surprise visit to Camp Jail Lahore, where he toured various sections and directed to provide best vocational training facilities to prisoners.During his visit, the Secretary took a close look at the handicrafts production and industrial areas within the prison. He emphasized the need for vocational training across all jails in Punjab, instructing that prisoners be taught skills such as barbering, tailoring, cooking, motorcycle mechanics and electrical work.In particular, he highlighted the importance of offering beautician courses to female inmates.Furthermore, the Secretary directed that all prisons in Punjab provide training in handicrafts production, with a focus on giving long-term prisoners the skills to create carpets and furniture. He stressed the need to employ expert instructors and consultants to guide the training programs.Secretary Mengal noted that providing technical training to prisoners helps integrate them into society as productive members.During the visit, the Secretary also spoke with family members of the inmates, listening to their concerns about the difficulties they face in maintaining contact with their loved ones. He assured them that measures would be taken to improve facilities for family visits.Secretary Mengal also praised the efforts of the Inspector General of Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir and Jail Superintendent Zaheer Virk for providing a better environment and effective training programs for the prisoners.

Lahore: The Pakistan Railways 65th Inter-Divisional Athletic Championship commenced at Railway Stadium, Garhi Shahu, on Friday.

The two-day event has attracted around 250 male and female athletes from across the country, representing various railway divisions.

General Manager Welfare and Special Initiative, Waqar Ahmad Shahid, graced the opening ceremony as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the championship. Vice President Sports Control Board Hamdan Nazir, Secretary General Sports Control Board Muhammad Ismail, and Railway Sports Officer Muhammad Owais Akbar were also in attendance.

Addressing the ceremony, Waqar Ahmad Shahid emphasized Pakistan Railways' commitment to fostering sports and providing a significant platform for athletes. He highlighted that the organization has produced numerous internationally renowned sports personalities in various disciplines.

Athletes and officials from nine railway divisions participated in the championship, proudly carrying their divisional flags as they marched past the chief guest and saluted him. The national flag was led by international rowing player Muhammad Adil, while international tug-of-war player Yasir held the Railway Sports Board flag.

Lahore: Prime Minister's Youth Programme (PMYP) Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan has said that youth is biggest strength of the country and initiatives under the PMYP are aimed at providing opportunities to youngsters besides empowering them.

Addressing a press conference at Aiwan-i-Iqbal here on Friday, he said that country's economy was improving with every passing day and credit goes to the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

He said that everyday agreements were being signed with different countries to ensure development and prosperity in the country. He said that with the grace of Allah Almighty, now the world was looking towards Pakistan as economy and political stability are being witnessed in the country.

Regarding the PMYP, Rana Mashhood said that all provinces were being taken along in the programme and added that few days ago National Youth Council had been set up. He said that Youth Advisory Council would be Prime Minister's Advisory Council in coming budget and it will guide government in making policies for youth and regarding initiatives in field of education, vocational education, IT, sports, art and culture, science and technology besides climate change.

He further said that Prime Minister's Youth Programme was doing collaboration and launching different initiatives.

Chairman said, "Youth General Assembly is very active institution of youth and with its collaboration, PMYP is engaging youngsters of the province in Aiwan-i-Iqbal and providing them opportunity to grow." He said that government, development partners and educational institutions would provide different opportunities to youth during next two days in Aiwan-i-Iqbal. He said it was a job of government to engage youth and students towards positive activities. Now youth in the country were well aware that they have to make their future through hard work, he said and added that stability and peace in the society were of utmost importance.

He said, "It is an era of development as unrest period is over." The PMYP chairman said the government was focusing on shaping the future of youth as this would ultimately yield positive results for country's development and prosperity. He further said that awards would be given to those youngsters who would excel.

He said that Prime Minister Green Youth Movement, Prime Minister Youth Development Centres set up in universities would collaborate with Youth General Assembly and opportunities were being provided to entire youth to develop themselves in best manner. He said that purpose of gathering everyone here was to bring them at one platform. He said that Prime Minister would inaugurate world's best Digital Youth Hub under which scholarship, employment or green economy opportunities would be available to youngsters at one click.

He said that during next two days Aiwan-i-Iqbal would be centre of activity providing best opportunities to youngsters.

Rana Mashhood said that it was a matter of pride for the incumbent government that it was providing all out opportunities to youngsters aimed at empowering them.

To a question he said that the incumbent government had increased budget of Higher Education Commission and universities. He said that government was also focusing on research as no society or department could progress without research adding that comprehensive policy in this regard would be brought soon. He said that audit of universities had been started and things would further improve in coming days.

The PMYP chairman said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz were delivering as per the vision of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Fahad Shahbaz, Chaudhry Nauman and others were also present.

Lahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) brought together industry leaders, policymakers and experts for a pivotal panel discussion on "Digital Trade Facilitation for SMEs" in Lahore.

The event explored ways to strengthen digital trade capabilities for Pakistan's SMEs, identifying key challenges and opportunities in an evolving digital economy.

The panel featured distinguished speakers, including Aftab Haider, CEO of Pakistan Single Window (PSW), Gulalai Khan, Faculty at LUMS/Internet Governance and Technology Policy Expert, Faizan Siddiqui, Digital Business Automation Expert/ COO of Fauji Fertilizer Company and Usman Sheikh, Founder and CEO OZI Group/ Jolta Batteries.

The discussion focused on the barriers SMEs face in accessing global markets and how digital solutions can ease trade processes, reduce costs and enhance competitiveness.

A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SMEDA and PSW, marking a strategic collaboration to integrate SMEs into the global trade ecosystem. The MOU aims to simplify trade procedures through digital solutions, offering SMEs and women entrepreneurs access to market intelligence, data analytics and resources tailored to their export needs. By promoting e-commerce adoption, this partnership seeks to empower SMEs to tap into international markets and bolster Pakistan's export performance.

Chief Executive Officer SMEDA, Socrat Aman Rana emphasised the importance of trade facilitation for SME growth. He said that trade facilitation is a cornerstone for SME growth. By simplifying procedures and reducing barriers, SMEs are enabled to compete more effectively on the global stage, driving economic prosperity and innovation, added Rana. The collaboration will provide SMEs with the necessary tools to navigate international trade more efficiently.

Reaffirming PSW's commitment to digital trade, Aftab Haider, CEO PSW, said that the partnership with SMEDA is a vital step in simplifying and digitising trade processes, particularly for SMEs. By leveraging PSW's digital platform, the initiative will foster greater inclusivity and transparency, reduce trade barriers and enhance the contribution of SMEs to national economic growth.

GM Policy and Planning, SMEDA, Nadia Jahangir highlighted the MOU's role in supporting women entrepreneurs. The collaboration prioritises women-led businesses, ensuring they have access to digital trade tools that enhance their market competitiveness, she added. By addressing traditional trade barriers, SMEs - particularly women entrepreneurs - will be seamlessly integrated into the global marketplace, said Nadia.

The event attracted a diverse audience, including policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry representatives, all committed to advancing SME digitalization.

This strategic partnership between SMEDA and PSW is set to transform Pakistan's trade facilitation landscape. By reducing the cost of doing business, simplifying regulatory procedures and enhancing digital access to global markets, the collaboration will create a more inclusive, transparent and efficient trade ecosystem.

Lahore: The Punjab Judicial Academy (PJA) successfully concluded its 40th batch of pre-service training for newly inducted civil judges and additional district and sessions judges.

In addition to extensive training by judicial experts, the trainee judges undertook informative visits to the Research Cell of the Lahore High Court (LHC), the district courts in Lahore, the Punjab Forensic Science Authority, and Fountain House.

PJA Director General Justice (Retd.) Sardar Ahmad Naeem presided over the concluding session. The directors, PJA faculty and families of the trainee judges also attended the session.

Addressing the participants, Justice (Retd.) Sardar Ahmad Naeem stated, "The purpose of the pre-service training program for judges is to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties effectively."

He further emphasized that judges have a fundamental "responsibility" to uphold the law and ensure justice is served. He advised them to always conduct themselves with integrity, rising above personal biases or external pressures.

Lahore: Punjab Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said on Thursday that the livestock sector had made exemplary development in less than one year.

He said this while presiding over the meeting which reviewed progress of Punjab Chief Minister's Livestock card, distribution of livestock assets among rural women of South Punjab and other projects here.

He said that through Livestock card Rs 27,000 were being given to calves cattle breeder farmers for each animal.

In two years 400,000 animals would be given to maximum 80,000 cattle breeders, he said and added that till now 13,181 livestock cards had been received by farmers.

He further said that no negligence would be tolerated with regard to timely delivery of livestock cards to farmers.

Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that regional directors would send report based on data of tagged animals.

He said that arrangements should be made to ensure vaccination of tagged animals.

The minister said that instructions had been issued to get re verification of tagged animals from urban units.

Till now 826 animals had been distributed among women, he said and directed to prepare strategy to control foot and mouth disease among animals to implement it.

Punjab Livestock Secretary Saqib Ali and others also attended the meeting.