Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab hosted an international conference, bringing together expatriates from around the world and key Punjab cabinet members for an open dialogue.

Barrister Amjad Malik, Vice Chairman of OPC Punjab, welcomed the participants and facilitated discussions on expatriate concerns and recommendations. Participants commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for their initiatives benefiting overseas Pakistanis.

OPC Punjab Commissioner Mirza Nasir Inayat briefed the gathering on the establishment of special courts in 41 districts to address legal matters of overseas Pakistanis, made possible through the Punjab Establishment of Special Courts (Overseas Pakistanis' Properties) Act, recently approved by the Punjab governor. Special acknowledgment was extended to CM Punjab for her leadership in passing the bill.

The conference was also attended by legal experts, business leaders, women representatives, and members of the overseas minority community. Amjad Malik expressed gratitude to the UAE delegation and Irfan Toor for their exemplary arrangements. The event was formally inaugurated by Irfan Ali Toor, Senior Vice President of PML-N UAE.

Commissioner Mirza Nasir Inayat highlighted OPC Punjab's objectives, key achievements, and commitment to safeguarding the rights and assets of overseas Pakistanis. Addresses were also delivered by Provincial Minister for Zakat and Ushr Rashid Nasrullah, former Federal Minister Abid Sher Ali, and senior PML-N officials from across the globe, including Ghulam Abbas Bhatti, UAE Chief Patron Sheikh Saeed Ahmed, Shamshad Khan Tanoli, Parvez Sandhu, Farzana Kausar, Shehzad Anwar Bhatti (Minority Wing), Hafiz Mir Shams, and others. Special Assistant to CM Punjab, Zeeshan Malik, was also in attendance.

Renowned intellectual and analyst Iftikhar Ahmed highlighted the crucial role of overseas Pakistanis in national economic and social development.

The gathering also expressed condolences on the passing of the son of PML-N leader Rana Tariq from Saudi Arabia, concluding with a prayer led by Khateeb Data Darbar, Ramzan Sialvi.

The conference reaffirmed the Punjab government's commitment to addressing overseas Pakistanis' concerns and recognizing their contributions.

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday summoned the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore in person for February 10 over poor traffic management during cricket matches.

Justice Shahid Karim issued the order while hearing a set of petitions, filed by Haroon Farooq and others against ineffective measures to control smog.

At the start of proceedings, Judicial Water and Environment Commission Member Hina Hafeez informed the court about a recent meeting with the chief secretary regarding water conservation. Expressing concern over water scarcity, the court questioned the delay in establishing a Water Authority. 'The water crisis is not just Lahore's problem; it affects the entire Punjab. It is good to see the government focusing on the whole province,' it remarked.

The court suggested stringent measures to curb water wastage, proposing a fine of Rs. 10,000 for individuals washing cars at home and the sealing of petrol pumps without water recycling plants. In case of repeated violations, a fine of Rs. 100,000 should be imposed, it added.

The court also expressed frustration over traffic disruptions in Lahore due to ongoing cricket matches. 'Authorities knew about the Champions Trophy three months ago, yet no planning was done. The city's traffic system is in chaos, causing distress to the public,' the court remarked, emphasizing the need for visible posters indicating alternate routes. It then summoned the CTO Lahore in person for the next hearing.

Additionally, the court voiced concerns over the inactivity of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), stating that the institution needed to take immediate action. Furthermore, it directed that no project should commence without prior approval from the Environmental Protection Department.

The court also raised concerns about water wastage in mosques, suggesting the use of water tanks instead of taps to conserve water during ablution. Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing until February 10 and sought a report on water meters in the city.

Lahore: Founding President of Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FWCCI) Ms. Robina Amjad said on Thursday the US government should take the lead in the Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative. In a press statement issued here, she mentioned that she had previously highlighted the issue of global women's empowerment in her congratulatory letter to Mr. Donald Trump following his recent presidential election victory. Ms. Robina Amjad recalled that the W-GDP initiative was originally launched by President Trump during his previous term, focusing on three key pillars: women prospering in the workforce, women succeeding as entrepreneurs, and women's participation in the economy. She expressed hope that the Trump administration would continue and expand the initiative in the current tenure. She highlighted that W-GDP has reached approximately 50 million women in developing countries so far. In Pakistan, thousands of women from KP, Balochistan, Sindh, and Punjab have benefited from this initiative, which is set to conclude this year. She urged an extension of the program for another five years to further support women's empowerment. Ms. Robina also called on the local USAID office to advocate for the program's continuation with the new US administration. She assured the full cooperation of Pakistan's women business community in implementing global women's development efforts. Additionally, she urged USAID to establish a women entrepreneurs group comprising representatives from local women chambers of commerce and industry to ensure the effective utilization of the W-GDP initiative.

Lahore: Founding President of Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FWCCI) Ms. Robina Amjad said on Thursday the US government should take the lead in the Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative. In a press statement issued here, she mentioned that she had previously highlighted the issue of global women's empowerment in her congratulatory letter to Mr. Donald Trump following his recent presidential election victory. Ms. Robina Amjad recalled that the W-GDP initiative was originally launched by President Trump during his previous term, focusing on three key pillars: women prospering in the workforce, women succeeding as entrepreneurs, and women's participation in the economy. She expressed hope that the Trump administration would continue and expand the initiative in the current tenure. She highlighted that W-GDP has reached approximately 50 million women in developing countries so far. In Pakistan, thousands of women from KP, Balochistan, Sindh, and Punjab have benefited from this initiative, which is set to conclude this year. She urged an extension of the program for another five years to further support women's empowerment. Ms. Robina also called on the local USAID office to advocate for the program's continuation with the new US administration. She assured the full cooperation of Pakistan's women business community in implementing global women's development efforts. Additionally, she urged USAID to establish a women entrepreneurs group comprising representatives from local women chambers of commerce and industry to ensure the effective utilization of the W-GDP initiative.

Lahore: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Thursday sealed another 108 properties in a daily operation against illegal commercial properties across various areas of the city.

The operation targeted locations in Gulberg, New Garden Town, Faisal Town, Allama Iqbal Town, Shadbagh, Gulshan-e-Ravi, New Muslim Town, Shadman, and Shah Jamal. Among these, 37 properties in Gulberg, New Garden Town, and Faisal Town were sealed due to illegal commercial use and non-payment of commercial fees.

Further, 40 properties in Shadbagh, Gulshan-e-Ravi, New Muslim Town, Shadman, and Shah Jamal were also sealed. During a recovery operation, 31 properties in Allama Iqbal Town were sealed.

The sealed properties include private schools, restaurants, academies, salons, workshops, banks, food points, shops, offices, and more. Prior to these actions, several notices had been issued to the owners of these properties.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Chief Town Planner Asad ul Zaman.

The LDA has announced that operations against illegal commercial buildings and defaulters of commercial fees will continue without discrimination.

Lahore: At least eleven people were killed and 1,427 injured in 1,270 accidents in Punjab during the last 24 hours. As per data of the Rescue 1122, 794 drivers, 56 underage drivers, 137 pedestrians, and 507 passengers were among the victims of traffic crashes. The statistics showed that 216 accidents were reported in Lahore which affected 277 people placing the provincial capital at top of the list followed by Faisalabad 93 in with 103 victims and at third Multan with 85 accidents and 99 victims. According to the data, 1196 motorcycles, 86 rickshaws, 138 cars, 24 vans, 10 buses, 26 truck and 111 other vehicles besides slow-moving carts were involved in the accidents.