Promoting youth sports govt’s top priority, Punjab CS tells GCU’s annual sports event

Lahore: Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman highlighted the government's dedication to promoting healthy activities among the youth as a top priority during his address at the 124th annual sports event of the Government College University (GCU) Lahore on Sunday.

The event, which featured a colorful and vibrant closing ceremony, was attended by notable figures including tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary Muzaffar Khan Sial.

The chief secretaryaccompanied by GCU Registrar Dr. Shoukat Ali and Director of Sports Waseem Akhtar, presented awards to students, who displayed exceptional performance in various competitions. Aleena Gul from the Psychology Department was honored as the Best Female Athlete of 2025 for her outstanding achievements across multiple sports, while Muhammad Shahid from the Physical Education and Sports Department was named the Best Male Athlete.

In the team categories, the Psychology Department took home the trophy for Best Girls' Team, with the Political Science Department finishing in second place. The Commerce and Finance Department emerged victorious in the boys' team competition, while the Law Department claimed second place.

Chief Secretary Zaman, who was delighted to return to his alma mater, praised the students' enthusiasm and sportsmanship. He also took the opportunity to visit various university departments and engage with students on a wide range of topics. He emphasized the crucial role of sports in fostering a well-rounded educational experience.

GCU Registrar Dr. Shoukat Ali reflected on the university's rich sports legacy, noting its significant contributions to producing some of Pakistan's finest athletes. He congratulated all the winning teams for their impressive performances.

Tennis icon Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, who also attended the event, expressed his gratitude to the GCU administration for its role in promoting sports in Pakistan. He fondly recalled his time as a student at GCU, which played a pivotal role in his career as a professional tennis player.

Secretary Muzaffar Khan Sial reiterated the Punjab government's ongoing commitment to promoting sports across the province, underscoring its importance in the development of youth and national talent.

City experiences cloudy weather

Lahore: Cloudy weather was experienced in city on Sunday, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicting similar conditions for the next 24 hours.

According to PMD officials, a shallow westerly wave is affecting the upper parts of the country and moving northeast, while another shallow westerly wave is expected to reach Balochistan by Monday evening or night.

They forecast cold and partly cloudy weather in Kashmir, cold and dry conditions in most districts of the Punjab province, and partly cloudy cold weather in Murree, Galiyat and others adjacent areas.

Murree recorded the lowest temperature in Punjab at 1.4°C, while Lahore experienced a minimum of 11.8°C and a maximum of 26°C temperature during the last 24 hours.

14 dead, 1645 injured in 1394 RTCs in Punjab

Lahore: At least fourteen persons were killed and 1645 injured in 1394 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) in all 37 districts of Punjab during the last 24 hours. Out of these, 729 people with serious injuries were shifted to different hospitals, while 916 victims with minor injuries were treated at the incident site by Rescue Medical Teams thus reducing the burden of Hospitals.

Furthermore, the analysis showed those 868 drivers, 51 underage drivers, 173 pedestrians, and 618 passengers were among the victims of road traffic crashes. The statistics show that 258 RTCs were reported in Lahore which affected 310 persons placing the Provincial Capital at top of the list followed by Faisalabad 82 in with 96 victims and at third Multan with 73 RTCs and 94 victims.

According to the data 1316 motorbikes, 71 auto-rickshaws, 158 motorcars, 43 vans, 23 passenger buses, 30 truck and 106 other types of auto vehicles and slow-moving carts were involved in these road traffic accidents.

Faiz Festival concludes with vibrant literary, cultural activities

Lahore: The three-day Faiz Festival concluded at Alhamra Arts Council on Sunday, drawing a large audience of literary enthusiasts, intellectuals, and art lovers.

The festival, dedicated to the legendary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, featured a series of academic, literary, and cultural sessions over three days. On the final day, more than 20 sessions were held, covering a diverse range of topics, including literature, politics, society, film, history, culture, and media influence. Panel discussions focused on figures like Manto, as well as issues such as Palestine, secularism, women's rights, the environment, heritage, tourism, and the evolving relationship between social media and politics. The craft of film writing was also explored in dedicated sessions.

Renowned poets, writers, and intellectuals participated in discussions, while theatrical performances brought Faiz's revolutionary poetry to life in the gallery. A special poetry reading session captivated the audience, with poets paying tribute to Faiz's literary legacy.

In addition to the intellectual discourse, the festival also featured food stalls, adding a cultural and social dimension to the event. The overwhelming participation of literary figures, fine arts professionals, and the general public reaffirmed the festival's significance as a major event in Pakistan.

PHA arranges Cyclothon to encourage healthy lifestyle

Lahore: In connection with Horse and Cattle Show 2025, the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) organized a "Cyclothon" event for cycling enthusiasts from Mozang to Liberty Chowk, here on Sunday. A large number of men, women, and children enthusiastically participated in the Cyclothon, making it a vibrant and energetic cycling event. The participants praised the initiative, highlighting its role in promoting health, fitness, and environmental awareness. Additionally, the Family Cyclothon saw the participation of around 500 families, further adding to the event's success and community engagement. The winners of the event were awarded prizes: Rs 200,000 for the first position, Rs 100,000 for the second position, and Rs 50,000 for the third position. PHA Additional Director General Zeeshan Ranjha, and the Director of Sports, Amir Ibrahim, distributed cash prizes, medals, and cups to the winners.Zeeshan Ranjha said that the PHA was organizing various healthy activities for citizens in connectio n with the Horse and Cattle Show 2025. He emphasized that cycling is beneficial for both health and the environment. By promoting cycling culture, a healthy society could be established. Citizens could contribute to building a healthy society by incorporating cycling into their daily lives. On the occasion, Director of Sports Amir Ibrahim mentioned that cycling was not only a means of transport but also a fantastic form of recreation, exercise, and sport. Cycling benefits physical health and provides mental peace. Lahore residents were encouraged to visit parks and recreational spots with their families to double the joy of the Horse and Cattle Show events. The PHA was organizing exciting events for citizens at Jailani Park, Bagh Jinnah, and Fortress Stadium.

Pakistan must leverage Turkey’s food market to boost exports: FPCCI Convener

Lahore: Convener Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry regional committee on Food Shahid Imran has said that Pakistan, an agrarian economy with vast agricultural resources, must fully exploit the untapped food import potential of Turkey to bolster Pak export leading to economic growth and strengthen bilateral trade ties. Talking to a delegation of food producers led by Abdul Rehman, here on Sunday, he said Turkey, strategically located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, offers a lucrative market for Pakistani food products due to its growing demand for diverse and high-quality agricultural goods. By leveraging its strengths in producing staples such as rice, wheat, fruits, and seafood, Pakistan can position itself as a key supplier in the Turkish market. To achieve this goal, Pakistan needs to address several challenges, including improving food quality standards, enhancing packaging, and ensuring compliance with international certifications. He said the government and privat e sector must collaborate to establish robust trade channels, streamline export procedures, and invest in marketing campaigns to promote Pakistani products in Turkey. By tapping into this untapped potential, Pakistan can not only increase its export revenue but also foster stronger economic and diplomatic relations with Turkey, creating a win-win scenario for both countries, he added.