Category: Lahore

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with female students and faculty members of various colleges of Balochistan, here on Wednesday.

The delegation included 49 female students and 14 faculty members from universities, colleges, and technical institutions across Balochistan.

The CM warmly welcomed the delegation to Lahore, presenting them with laptops and gifts, while the students honored her with a traditional Balochi shawl.

Speaking to the students, CM Maryam Nawaz highlighted major development projects in Punjab, many of which also benefit the people of Balochistan. She announced that patients from Balochistan will receive treatment at Pakistan's first government-run Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital. She also shared details about Punjab's field hospitals, a children's heart surgery program, and the transformation of 150 health centers into 'Maryam Nawaz Clinics' of European standards.

The CM outlined several initiatives aimed at education, healthcare, and economic growth, including scholarships for 13,000 students across Punjab and laptop distribution for 100,000 students, including those from Balochistan. Subsidies of Rs. 1 million for farmers to purchase tractors. The launch of Pakistan's first government air ambulance. Interest-free loans of Rs. 30 million through business financing schemes. The introduction of Cryosurgery treatment for cancer patients at Mayo Hospital. The 'Dhee Rani' program, under which 1,500 couples, including differently-abled persons, have been married at government expense.

CM Maryam Nawaz also emphasized environmental sustainability, noting the launch of Punjab's first integrated environmental policy, tree plantations along roads, and a rainwater harvesting program for water conservation.

She further shared efforts to improve infrastructure and public services. The 'Suthra Punjab' program, Punjab's largest-ever rural sanitation project for 24,000 villages. The 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' housing scheme, through which 15,000 people have received home loans. The Pink Button safety system for women and children. A glass train project from Rawalpindi to Murree to boost tourism.

The CM expressed her excitement over Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy after several years.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bokhari briefed the students on Punjab's ongoing projects. The Balochistan students and faculty appreciated Punjab's development, particularly in health, education, and infrastructure.

The students remarked that Punjab is ahead of other provinces in multiple sectors and noted the significant difference in living costs, mentioning that while roti costs Rs. 40-50 in Balochistan, it is available for Rs. 12-13 in Punjab.

Lahore: A 10-member delegation of Bangladeshi journalists toured several historic landmarks in the city to explore its rich cultural heritage on Wednesday.

The distinguished guests visited several key sites, including the Shalimar Garden, Badshahi Mosque, Royal Fort (Shahi Qila), and the tomb of Allama Iqbal. They thoroughly explored the city's cultural heritage, connecting with its history and traditions.

The delegation's visit began at the Shalimar Garden, where tourist guides briefed them about the garden's history.

The guide explained the significance of the Baradari (Twelve-Door Pavilion), highlighting its

historical importance.

The delegation expressed great interest in the rich history showcased within the garden walls.

The Bangladeshi delegates also visited the mausoleum of Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal and

offered Fateha.

The delegation then proceeded to the Royal Fort (Shahi Qila), where they received a detailed briefing from the Walled City Lahore Authority (WCLA) on the fort's various sections. The delegation toured key features of the fort, including the Painters' Garden, Royal Baths, Sheesh Mahal, Naulakha Pavilion, Barood Khana, and the Elephant Gate. The visitors also had the opportunity to take group photographs at various scenic locations within the fort.

Later, the delegation visited the iconic Badshahi Mosque, where a guide provided a tour explaining the mosque's architectural and historical significance. The delegation marveled at the mosque's grandeur, a testament to Mughal architecture.

They appreciated the government's efforts to preserve such historical sites, making them accessible to visitors from around the world. They also thanked the government for its warm hospitality.

The delegates included A M M Bahauddin, Mukhtadir Rashid Romeo, MD Ayub Bhuiyan, Porimol Palma, Mahadi Hasan Talukdar, Haque Faruk Ahmed, Fakhrul Alam Khan, Morshed Hassib Hasan, A K M Sayedad Hossain, and Md Zaker Hossain.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with female students and faculty members of various colleges of Balochistan, here on Wednesday.

The delegation included 49 female students and 14 faculty members from universities, colleges, and technical institutions across Balochistan.

The CM warmly welcomed the delegation to Lahore, presenting them with laptops and gifts, while the students honored her with a traditional Balochi shawl.

Speaking to the students, CM Maryam Nawaz highlighted major development projects in Punjab, many of which also benefit the people of Balochistan. She announced that patients from Balochistan will receive treatment at Pakistan's first government-run Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital. She also shared details about Punjab's field hospitals, a children's heart surgery program, and the transformation of 150 health centers into 'Maryam Nawaz Clinics' of European standards.

The CM outlined several initiatives aimed at education, healthcare, and economic growth, including scholarships for 13,000 students across Punjab and laptop distribution for 100,000 students, including those from Balochistan. Subsidies of Rs. 1 million for farmers to purchase tractors. The launch of Pakistan's first government air ambulance. Interest-free loans of Rs. 30 million through business financing schemes. The introduction of Cryosurgery treatment for cancer patients at Mayo Hospital. The 'Dhee Rani' program, under which 1,500 couples, including differently-abled persons, have been married at government expense.

CM Maryam Nawaz also emphasized environmental sustainability, noting the launch of Punjab's first integrated environmental policy, tree plantations along roads, and a rainwater harvesting program for water conservation.

She further shared efforts to improve infrastructure and public services. The 'Suthra Punjab' program, Punjab's largest-ever rural sanitation project for 24,000 villages. The 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' housing scheme, through which 15,000 people have received home loans. The Pink Button safety system for women and children. A glass train project from Rawalpindi to Murree to boost tourism.

The CM expressed her excitement over Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy after several years.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bokhari briefed the students on Punjab's ongoing projects. The Balochistan students and faculty appreciated Punjab's development, particularly in health, education, and infrastructure.

The students remarked that Punjab is ahead of other provinces in multiple sectors and noted the significant difference in living costs, mentioning that while roti costs Rs. 40-50 in Balochistan, it is available for Rs. 12-13 in Punjab.

Lahore: Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company (PIEDMC) Chairman Javed Iqbal inaugurated the 3rd Sundar Industrial Expo 2025 here on Wednesday.

More than 300 national and multinational companies are presenting their products at the Sundar Industrial Expo.

The event was also attended by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Mian Abuzar Shad, NAB DG Muhammad Ahtaram Dar, Syed Nabeel Hashmi, Mohsin Syed, Shehzad Azam Khan, Sajid Saleem Minhas, Hafiz Mian Muhammad Nauman and a large number of Industrialists. PIEDMC Chairman and other dignitaries planted saplings under the green estate policy; visited different stalls; and encouraged the industrialists who set up the stalls.

On this occasion, the Chairman Javed Iqbal said that companies displaying their products at stalls in the expo would not only get an opportunity to promote their business but also get help in increasing their business networking. He said that next year this expo would be organized according to international standards, while another similar expos would be organized in Quaid-i-Azam Industrial Estate Kot Lakhpat and Multan Industrial Estate.

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) has dismissed an application filed by underage driver Afnan and other accused individuals, involved in a car accident that resulted in the tragic deaths of six family members in Defence, seeking the removal of sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) from the case.

The court announced its verdict on application during Wednesday's proceedings, which had been reserved on January 28 after hearing arguments from all parties.

The court adjourned further trial proceedings until February 28, summoning prosecution witnesses to testify at the next hearing.

ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill conducted the proceedings, during which the main accused, Afnan, and his father, Shafqat Awan, appeared and marked their attendance.

In their application, the accused argued that the police had wrongfully applied ATA sections to the case, claiming the circumstances did not justify their inclusion. They requested the court to remove the ATA sections and transfer the case to a sessions court for further hearings.

The Defence C police had registered the case based on a complaint filed by Rafaqat Ali, who lost his wife, Rukhsana Bibi (45); son, Husnain (25); daughter-in-law, Ayesha (23); son-in-law, Sajjad (30); four-month-old grandson, Huzaifa; and granddaughter, Anaya (4), in the tragic accident.

Besides Afnan, the accused include his father, Shafqat Awan, and his friends Ali Abdullah, Muhammad Saad, and Muhammad Ibrahim. They were charged with multiple offenses in the police challan. The investigation report alleged that Afnan and his friends first harassed female passengers before colliding with their car. Shafqat, a real estate dealer, was accused of allowing his underage son to drive illegally.

Lahore: The Lahore Police have arrested 1,565 drug dealers and registered 1,526 cases in the year 2025 so far.

According to a police spokesman, the operations led to the recovery of 1,000 kilograms of hashish, 83 kilograms of opium, 25 kilograms of heroin, 38 kilograms of ice and 9,860 liters of liquor.

The arrests were made across various divisions of the city, with 301 arrests in the City Division, 328 in the Cantt Division, 159 in the Civil Lines Division, 248 in the Saddar Division, 222 in the Iqbal Town Division and 307 in the Model Town Division.

CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana reiterated that the police are determined to make the city drug-free.