Category: Lahore

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, has stated that the successful and peaceful organization of international cricket series in Pakistan will project a positive image of the country on a global scale.

He made these remarks while presiding over the 22nd meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on Law and Order (SCCLO) at the Punjab Home Department on Friday.

During the meeting, Secretary Punjab Home Department Noor ul Amin Mengal provided a comprehensive briefing on the province's latest law and order situation. The committee reviewed security arrangements for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and directed authorities to implement foolproof security measures based on the joint security audit report of Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. To ensure maximum security, the committee approved the deployment of the Army and Rangers for the cricket series.

Additionally, the committee emphasized the need for stringent security measures for the annual Tablighi Ijtima in Raiwind. Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique underscored the significance of a peaceful environment for Pakistan's economy and assured that every effort is being made to allow the public to enjoy the cricket series safely.

"The protection of life and property of the public remains the top priority of the state," he asserted. He expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements made by the Punjab Home Department for the Champions Trophy and acknowledged that similar efforts have allowed the ongoing Horse and Cattle Show in Lahore to proceed peacefully.

The minister also paid tribute to the security personnel who have sacrificed their lives for the safety of the nation. The meeting was attended by Secretary Home Punjab Noor ul Amin Mengal, Special Secretary Home Fazlur Rehman, Chief Operating Officer of PCB Sameer Syed, Commissioner Lahore, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, and officials from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch, and other relevant institutions. Commissioner Rawalpindi Division participated in the meeting via video link.

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Minorities, Ramesh Singh Arora, presided over a steering committee meeting at his camp office to review the progress on verification of applications, distribution of minority cards, and the implementation of the Biometric Verification System (BVS).

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including District Commissioners (DCs) from various districts of Punjab, who participated via video link. The meeting was aimed at ensuring smooth coordination and transparency in the distribution of minority cards, addressing any issues surrounding the verification of applications, and overseeing the deployment of the BVS, which will streamline the process and ensure accuracy in the delivery of services to the minority community. Among the attendees were representatives from the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), Punjab Bank, and the Social Welfare Department, Secretary HR and MA Ali Bahadur Qazi, Assistant Secretary Rizwana Naveed, were also in attendance, contributing to discussions on the technical and administrative aspects of the program.

Minister Arora opened the meeting by expressing his gratitude to all the participants for their hard work and dedication towards the success of the initiative. He also took the opportunity to commend the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, whose unwavering support for the minority community has been instrumental in advancing these initiatives.

He remarked, 'Under the leadership of CM Maryam Nawaz, the provincial government has shown a deep commitment to the upliftment and empowerment of minorities. Her vision has guided us in bringing these crucial programs to fruition, and we are thankful for her constant support.' Minister Arora reaffirmed the government's dedication to ensuring that every minority citizen receives their due rights. He stated, 'We are committed to making the process of receiving minority cards and other services as transparent and efficient as possible. Through initiatives like the BVS, we are not only securing the rights of the minorities but also making sure that our services reach them without any barriers.'

Looking ahead, Arora assured the attendees that the provincial government would continue to strengthen the systems in place, work on resolving challenges, and ensure that the minority communities are well-served. 'We will continue our efforts to address any obstacles, enhance communication at the district level, and provide all the necessary support to ensure the smooth distribution of minority cards and services,' he added.

The steering committee also discussed challenges related to the biometric verification process, application handling, and outreach efforts, as well as strategies for improving efficiency and ensuring that all eligible individuals receive their cards in a timely manner.

Lahore: The much-anticipated Faiz Festival commenced at the Alhamra Arts Council on Friday, drawing a large audience of literature and art enthusiasts.

The opening ceremony featured prominent personalities, including Professor Salima Hashmi, Chairman Alhamra Razi Ahmed, Executive Director Alhamra Syed Tauqeer Haider Kazmi, Nandita Das, Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Atul Tiwari, and several others. The event was hosted by Amna Ali.

Renowned artist Adeel Hashmi inaugurated the festival with a poignant recitation of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry, setting the tone for the literary and cultural celebrations. Moneeza Hashmi was also present on the occasion, adding to the festival's significance.

Chairman Faiz Ghar, Salima Hashmi, extended a warm welcome to the guests and expressed her gratitude to the audience for their enthusiastic participation. She emphasized the importance of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry in contemporary times. Chairman Alhamra Razi Ahmed highlighted that Faiz's poetry has become a tradition and a source of inspiration, reflecting both the poet's personality and the era he lived in. Executive Director Alhamra Tauqeer Haider echoed similar sentiments, stating that the immense public interest in the festival reaffirms the deep emotional connection people have with Faiz's work.

The Alhamra Arts Council has been beautifully adorned to host the festival, which will span three days. Various programs, including literary discussions, artistic exhibitions, and cultural performances, will take place across different venues such as halls, galleries, lawns, and open spaces.

Atul Tiwari, expressing his admiration for Lahore, described it as one of the subcontinent's most beautiful cities and conveyed heartfelt greetings from Lucknow to its residents. Celebrated Indian actress and filmmaker Nandita Das shared her excitement about attending the festival, calling it a wonderful opportunity to connect with new friends.

Lahore: A meeting on the ongoing programmes of the Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA) was held under the chairmanship of PSPA Vice Chairperson Jahan Ara Manzoor Wattoo.

The meeting was attended by PSPA officials, including Deputy CEO Syed Asif Hussain Shah. During the meeting, the VC was briefed on the progress of various PSPA programmes.

She appreciated the performance of the "Nayi Zindagi" and "Masawaat" programmes, stating that despite limited resources, the initiatives have had a significant and lasting positive impact due to their effective strategies. However, she emphasised the need for a well-organised and integrated strategy to further enhance the effectiveness of key programs like "Humqadam" and "Bahimat Buzurg."

Jahan Ara directed the launch of a comprehensive awareness campaign to increase registrations under the "Humqadam" programme. She stressed that although district committees have already been established across the province, necessary changes should be made to strengthen their structure. This would streamline the registration process, address payment-related issues faced by beneficiaries on an urgent basis, and ensure timely assistance to deserving individuals.

Acknowledging the efforts of the PSPA team, Jahan Ara Manzoor Wattoo stated that individual success is collective success, while any failure would be a shared setback. She urged the team to prioritise the "Bahimat Buzurg" and "Humqadam" programmes so that the maximum number of deserving individuals can benefit from these initiatives.

Lahore: The much-anticipated Faiz Festival commenced at the Alhamra Arts Council on Friday, drawing a large audience of literature and art enthusiasts.

The opening ceremony featured prominent personalities, including Professor Salima Hashmi, Chairman Alhamra Razi Ahmed, Executive Director Alhamra Syed Tauqeer Haider Kazmi, Nandita Das, Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Atul Tiwari, and several others. The event was hosted by Amna Ali.

Renowned artist Adeel Hashmi inaugurated the festival with a poignant recitation of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry, setting the tone for the literary and cultural celebrations. Moneeza Hashmi was also present on the occasion, adding to the festival's significance.

Chairman Faiz Ghar, Salima Hashmi, extended a warm welcome to the guests and expressed her gratitude to the audience for their enthusiastic participation. She emphasized the importance of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry in contemporary times. Chairman Alhamra Razi Ahmed highlighted that Faiz's poetry has become a tradition and a source of inspiration, reflecting both the poet's personality and the era he lived in. Executive Director Alhamra Tauqeer Haider echoed similar sentiments, stating that the immense public interest in the festival reaffirms the deep emotional connection people have with Faiz's work.

The Alhamra Arts Council has been beautifully adorned to host the festival, which will span three days. Various programs, including literary discussions, artistic exhibitions, and cultural performances, will take place across different venues such as halls, galleries, lawns, and open spaces.

Atul Tiwari, expressing his admiration for Lahore, described it as one of the subcontinent's most beautiful cities and conveyed heartfelt greetings from Lucknow to its residents. Celebrated Indian actress and filmmaker Nandita Das shared her excitement about attending the festival, calling it a wonderful opportunity to connect with new friends.

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday indicted 31 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers in two cases related to the torching of a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office during the May 9 riots.

ATC Judge Arshad Javed conducted the trial proceedings, during which incarcerated PTI leaders Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Senator Ijaz Chaudhry were produced before the court. PTI social media activist Sanam Javed and other accused, who were out on bail, also appeared and marked their attendance.

The court formally charged the PTI leaders and workers during the proceedings. However, all the accused denied the charges and expressed their intention to contest them.

Subsequently, the court summoned prosecution witnesses to present their testimony at the next hearing, scheduled for February 20. The court also announced that further trial proceedings would be held at Kot Lakhpat Jail.

The Model Town police had registered two FIRs, 366/23 and 367/23, against PTI leaders and workers over the torching of the PML-N office in Model Town during the May 9 riots.