Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Agriculture Department has advised spring corn growers to complete the sowing process from January 21 to February 28.

A spokesman for the department said here on Sunday that farmers must cultivate approved hybrid varieties YH 1898, FH 1046, FH 988, YH 5427, YH 5482, YH 5561, YH 5568 and YH 5560 while ordinary approved varieties include Gohar 19, Sahiwal Gold, Sweet 1, Malka 2016, etc.

He said, "Corn is cultivated on almost 2 million acres of land across the province."

The spokesman said that sowing of ordinary corn was preferred in areas with less irrigation arrangements.

He further said that farmers must follow Agriculture Department guidelines to achieve good yield.

Lahore: Carpet Training Institute (CTI) Chairperson Ejaz-ur-Rehman has called for urgent reforms and strategic initiatives to rescue Pakistan's traditional handwoven carpet industry, which is grappling with severe challenges and a steady decline in exports.

Speaking during a meeting with industry experts here Sunday, he stressed the need to adopt innovative business models including business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) export strategies, to cater to the evolving demands of international markets.

'This industry holds immense potential, and by blending the expertise of seasoned craftsmen with the fresh ideas of the younger generation, we can restore its lost glory,' he remarked.

Highlighting the contributions of the sector, Ejaz-ur-Rehman urged the government to recognize its role in providing livelihoods to millions of workers and generating valuable foreign exchange for the country. He noted that Pakistani carpets have consistently showcased superior craftsmanship, earning numerous accolades at international exhibitions for their exceptional quality and contemporary designs.

Ejaz-ur-Rehman described the handwoven carpet industry as a historic pillar of Pakistan's economy, particularly in Punjab, and recalled its role as the country's first major export earner after independence.

'Pakistan was once a global leader in handwoven carpet production and exports, but the past few decades have seen us lose significant ground. Rising production costs and declining exports are key factors driving this downturn,' he mentioned.

He stressed the importance of reducing production costs to remain competitive in global markets and urged the government, manufacturers, and exporters to collaborate on targeted schemes to support skilled workers. These measures, he said, are essentials to keep artisans stay motivated with belief that industry will continue to secure their jobs prospects currently and in future.

'The handwoven carpet industry is not just a source of income for millions but also a cultural heritage that reflect Pakistan's rich craftsmanship. It's time for decisive action to protect and revitalize this vital sector,' he concluded.

Lahore: A delegation of food exporters from South Punjab met Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan at the Governor House, here on Sunday.

The delegation, led by Shahid Imran, convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (FPCCI) regional committee on food, highlighted the critical role South Punjab's industrialists were playing in enhancing the country's food exports. He briefed the governor on how the region's exporters were successfully competing in global markets, contributing significantly to Pakistan's economic growth. He emphasized the need for government support in addressing challenges such as energy shortages, outdated infrastructure, and logistical inefficiencies that hinder the export potential of the region.

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan appreciated the efforts of South Punjab's food exporters and assured them of the government's commitment to fostering a favorable environment for business growth. He acknowledged the region's immense potential in agriculture and food processing, stressing the importance of expanding market access and introducing policies to incentivize exports.

The Governor also highlighted upcoming government initiatives aimed at modernizing infrastructure, reducing regulatory hurdles, and encouraging innovation in food production and processing to boost South Punjab's contribution to the national economy.

Lahore: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in Pakistan's economy, serving as an essential part of the supply chain for key export industries such as textiles, food processing, and engineering. This was stated by Mian Kashif Ashfaq, Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC), during a discussion with a delegation of industrialists led by Muhammad Farhan Munir Arain, Coordinator to the Federal Tax Ombudsman, here on Sunday.

He highlighted that manufacturing-based SMEs currently receive only 5.3 percent of the banking sector's lending to the entire manufacturing industry and a nominal 11.5 percent in the construction sector. He emphasized the need to significantly increase these figures to enhance exports and productivity in line with global standards, as seen in the USA and other Western countries. He further pointed out that manufacturing and construction were Pakistan's two largest employment-generating sectors, underscoring their critical role in economic development.

Mian Kashif Ashfaq stressed that while the expansion of e-commerce and IT-enabled services (IT-ES) offers new opportunities, sustainable economic growth can only be achieved if the manufacturing sector grows simultaneously. Promoting manufacturing-based SMEs was vital for this growth. He warned that if this was not prioritized, the manufacturing sector might shift toward trading, leaving a significant gap in the supply chain of key industries.

He also called for SMEs to adopt advanced technology to improve product quality and compete in global markets on par with international standards. Citing SMEDA, he noted that SMEs contribute 40 percent to Pakistan's GDP and 25 percent to export revenues, a figure that must be increased to match the success stories of countries like France, Italy, Japan, China, and the UK.

Leader of the delegation, Muhammad Farhan Munir, emphasized that SMEs connected to both the manufacturing and construction sectors must not be deprived of adequate financing, as this could exacerbate unemployment. He urged State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to ease financing conditions further by addressing issues such as the lack of acceptable security and high financing costs. He also called on the SBP to ensure that banks proactively invest in reaching underserved classes of borrowers, particularly SMEs. 'This is essential to unlocking the true potential of SMEs and addressing the chronic unemployment challenges in the country,' he said.

Lahore: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in Pakistan's economy, serving as an essential part of the supply chain for key export industries such as textiles, food processing, and engineering. This was stated by Mian Kashif Ashfaq, Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC), during a discussion with a delegation of industrialists led by Muhammad Farhan Munir Arain, Coordinator to the Federal Tax Ombudsman, here on Sunday.

He highlighted that manufacturing-based SMEs currently receive only 5.3 percent of the banking sector's lending to the entire manufacturing industry and a nominal 11.5 percent in the construction sector. He emphasized the need to significantly increase these figures to enhance exports and productivity in line with global standards, as seen in the USA and other Western countries. He further pointed out that manufacturing and construction were Pakistan's two largest employment-generating sectors, underscoring their critical role in economic development.

Mian Kashif Ashfaq stressed that while the expansion of e-commerce and IT-enabled services (IT-ES) offers new opportunities, sustainable economic growth can only be achieved if the manufacturing sector grows simultaneously. Promoting manufacturing-based SMEs was vital for this growth. He warned that if this was not prioritized, the manufacturing sector might shift toward trading, leaving a significant gap in the supply chain of key industries.

He also called for SMEs to adopt advanced technology to improve product quality and compete in global markets on par with international standards. Citing SMEDA, he noted that SMEs contribute 40 percent to Pakistan's GDP and 25 percent to export revenues, a figure that must be increased to match the success stories of countries like France, Italy, Japan, China, and the UK.

Leader of the delegation, Muhammad Farhan Munir, emphasized that SMEs connected to both the manufacturing and construction sectors must not be deprived of adequate financing, as this could exacerbate unemployment. He urged State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to ease financing conditions further by addressing issues such as the lack of acceptable security and high financing costs. He also called on the SBP to ensure that banks proactively invest in reaching underserved classes of borrowers, particularly SMEs. 'This is essential to unlocking the true potential of SMEs and addressing the chronic unemployment challenges in the country,' he said.

Lahore: Supreme Court Judge Justice Athar Minallah underscored the importance of recognizing animal rights as an acknowledgment of their intrinsic value.

Speaking at the Pakistan's first International Animal and Environmental Rights Conference (PIAERC) 2025, held at a local hotel, here on Sunday, he explained that rights were fundamentally tied to the protection of inherent value, which applies not only to humans but also to animals, plants, and all forms of life.

Reflecting on his experiences as a student and a jurist, Justice Athar Minallah shared how his education and early life encounters shaped his perspective on justice and equity. He recounted childhood memories of learning about lions in the wild while hearing their roars from cages at the London Zoo, highlighting the contradictions between the natural world and human-imposed captivity. He recounted his academic journey, including studying Islamic jurisprudence, which emphasized the preservation of all forms of life as a fundamental principle.

Justice Athar Minallah explained that this philosophy was central not only in Islam but also in other major religions such as Judaism and Christianity. This understanding played a pivotal role in developing his jurisprudence on animal rights during his tenure at the Islamabad High Court.

Highlighting global historical injustices, Justice Athar Minallah discussed the dehumanization of people and its parallels to the treatment of animals. He cited cases like Ota Benga, a Congolese teenager exhibited in a zoo in 1906, and Sarah Baartman, a South African woman exploited in the 19th century. These examples, he argued, underscore the need to challenge perceptions and redefine relationships between humans and nonhuman species.

Justice Athar Minallah emphasized that humans have been the most destructive force in history, destroying habitats and ecosystems, often without regard for the consequences. Quoting Sir David Attenborough, he highlighted the irony of portraying gorillas as symbols of aggression, despite their inherently peaceful nature, while humans have historically been the aggressors.

During his tenure as Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (2018-2022), Justice Minallah faced the challenge of safeguarding fundamental rights amidst political and constitutional crises. He noted that courts have a critical responsibility to protect the rights of all beings, not just humans, and to ensure justice and equity prevail.

Justice Athar Minallah also called for a transformative shift in societal perspectives to acknowledge the inherent value of all life forms, emphasizing the need for a robust legal and ethical framework to safeguard their rights and ensure their protection.