Category: Lahore

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals, Sher Ali Gorchani, in his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day, stated that Pakistan will always stand with the Kashmiri people. The sacrifices of Kashmiris will be written in golden letters in history, and their right to self-determination will continue to be highlighted on every platform.

He emphasized that Kashmir was not just a territorial dispute but a humanitarian crisis that needs an urgent resolution. He urged the international community to take notice of the oppression faced by the Kashmiri people and play its role in securing their rights.

Reaffirming his commitment, the minister stated that the darkness of oppression will end, and soon, the sun of freedom will rise in Kashmir. He reiterated that Kashmir is the lifeline of Pakistan, and the nation will never abandon it.

Lahore: The New Zealand Men's cricket team reached Lahore via Dubai in the wee hours of Wednesday.

The Black Caps, led by Mitchell Santner, will take part in tri-nation series featuring Pakistan and South Africa and the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025.

New Zealand will also play the opening match of the eight team tournament against hosts Pakistan at the National Stadium Karachi on February 19.

The Black Caps will train at the revamped Gaddafi Stadium in the evening on Thursday.

The South African Men's cricket team will also reach Lahore on February 6.

Lahore: The Unique Group of Institutions (UGIs) organised a Kashmir Solidarity Day walk here, led by Group Chairman Prof. Abdul Manan Khurram.

The walk, which began at the Unique School 111-A campus and concluded at the Unique Head Office 106-A, echoed with slogans of "Kashmir Banega Pakistan," expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

During his speech, Chairman Prof. Abdul Manan Khurram said that Kashmir is the "jugular vein of Pakistan". He reiterated the group's demand for a swift resolution to the Kashmir issue, in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He further affirmed that Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan and that the struggle will persist until the issue is resolved. Prof. Khurram also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Kashmiri mothers and sisters, highlighting their unwavering determination in the pursuit of freedom.

The event was attended by Vice Chairman Afif Ashraf Siddiqui, Rector Prof. Amjad Ali Khan, Director Prof. Waseem Anwar Chaudhry, Additional Director Muhammad Abdullah, and a large number of students and faculty members from the Unique Group.

Lahore: The Home Department Punjab has issued the official notification regarding the appointments and transfers in the Punjab Prisons Department under the Punjab Chief Minister's Jail Reforms Policy.

According to the notification. Dr. Muhammad Siddique Gul has been appointed as Superintendent of District Jail Bhakkar, Tahir Majeed has been posted as Additional Superintendent of Central Jail Multan. While the Wajahat Ali Khan has been appointed as Superintendent Jail, Inspectorate of Prisons Punjab, Lahore, and has also been given the additional charge of Superintendent of Sub-Jail Pindi Bhattian.

Further appointments include, Javed Iqbal as Additional Superintendent of High-Security Prison Sahiwal. Muhammad Jafar Syed as Deputy Superintendent Judicial, District Jail Jhang and Asif Murtaza as Deputy Superintendent Development, District Jail Jhang.

Lahore: A comprehensive and result-oriented national industrial policy is imperative to accelerate the pace of sustainable industrialization.

Federal Tax Ombudsman's (FTO) Coordinator Saif-ur-Rehman stated this in a meeting with a delegation of industrialists led by Mian Muhammad Azhar Shaukat here on Wednesday.

He added, the policy must prioritize the expansion and diversification of the manufacturing base, support technological up-gradation, and promote value-addition. Key sectors like textiles, automobiles, fertilizers, chemicals, capital goods,steel and food require targeted reforms to enhance productivity and global competitiveness. He was of the view that import substitution should be actively pursued by incentivizing local manufacturing and discouraging the import of finished goods where domestic production is viable.

The Coordinator said that policy must also integrate existing provincial industrial policies, such as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Industrial Policy (2020-2030) and Punjab Industrial Policy (2018), to ensure a cohesive national strategy. It should create an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, focusing on quality control, product design, and adherence to international standards. This approach would not only boost exports but also generate employment opportunities across various skill levels.

Saif-ur-Rehman said that the policy should also address the structural inefficiencies plaguing the industrial sector which includes introducing fiscal incentives to support technological innovation, reducing the cost of doing business, and improving the ease of access to credit for the selected industries. There must also be a focus on fostering public-private partnerships to attract investment and enhance industrial capacity. Encouraging collaboration between academia, research institutions and industries can also play a crucial role in advancing technology and innovation within the sector.

He said that a coherent, pragmatic, and integrated approach to industrial development is no longer an option but an absolute necessity for Pakistan's economic revival and prosperity. Without such a policy, the country risks falling further behind in an increasingly competitive global landscape, squandering its potential for industrial and economic transformation.

While concluding he said prior to framing national policy all stakeholders must be taken on board to make it practically viable on the pattern of advanced and developed countries.

Lahore: SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry former president Iftikhar Ali Malik Wednesday suggested the government to unlock sustainable development by adopt investor-friendly policies which also promote partnership between local and foreign private sectors.

In a media statement issued here Wednesday, he asserted that foreign direct investment (FDI) is another crucial element of economic growth. "Pakistan needs to aggressively market its investment potential by improving infrastructure and ease of doing business. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) can serve as magnets for foreign investors if they are efficiently managed with incentives like tax breaks, land acquisition facilitation, and reduced energy costs," he remarked.

Malik also stressed the need for continuity in import and export and other economic policies, and an effective mechanism to control exchange rate, besides simplifying tax regulations. The government should ensure long-term policy consistency and transparency, offering investors a stable business environment, adding that public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be strengthened in key sectors of energy, technology, and agriculture. Encouraging private sector-led infrastructure development would reduce fiscal pressure on the government while enhancing economic activity. "Digitization and financial sector reforms can further help attract venture capital and startup investments. Pakistan's economic revival depends on creating a business-friendly environment that assures investors of long-term returns. By improving governance, ensuring policy stability, and fostering innovation, the government can successfully charm private sector investors, paving the way for robust economic growth," he concluded.