Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Punjab government issued a notification regarding transfer and posting of following officers on Wednesday.

According to the notification, Farvah Aamir, awaiting posting, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Khushab. Abdus Sattar Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue (ADCR) Khanewal, has been transferred and posted as ADCR Khushab vice Kamran Afzal, who has been directed to report to Services and General Administration Department (S and GAD) for further orders.

Khalid Abbas, OSD, has been promoted to BS-18, and upon promotion he has been posted as ADCR Khushab.

Lahore: Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan met Governor General Khorasan Razavi Ghulam Hussain Zafari and discussed ways to enhance religious tourism and strengthening cooperation in education and trade during a meeting in Mashhad, Iran.

Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan is currently visiting Iran.

Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said that Pakistan has a deep bond of brotherly relations and love with Iran. He said that Pakistan is committed to increasing bilateral cooperation with Iran in various sectors, especially in the trade .

The Governor Punjab said that there should be exchanges of business delegations between Pakistan and Iran to further promote the trade sector.

He expressed that the businessmen from both countries should organize trade exhibitions in Mashhad and Lahore to increase mutual trade. The Governor Punjab also issued instructions in this regard to the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs present on the occasion. He said that he would review its implementation on his return to Lahore. The Governor welcomed the increase in cooperation between the universities of Pakistan and Mashhad and said that the establishment of the Iqbal Chair and the Department of Urdu in Ferdowsi University Mashhad would further boost cooperation in the educational sector. He added that there is also a need to promote cultural relations between the two countries. In this regard, a mutual memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the provinces of Punjab and Khorasan Razavi. He said, "We look forward to organizing cultural weeks in both provinces under the mutual memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation between the provinces of Punjab and Khoras an Razavi which would further expand the cultural relations between the two countries."

On this occasion, Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan thanked the Governor General of Khorasan Razavi for the warm welcome and also invited him to visit Lahore.

Lahore: The Punjab Safe Cities Authority has taken another step in serving humanity by officially launching the "Meri Pehchan" service. The "Meri Pehchan" service introduced a new method for identifying missing individuals. The spokesperson for the authority stated that the "Meri Pehchan" service had been linked with the NADRA.

This service will assist in identifying people with mental or physical disabilities, those unable to provide their home addresses, and unidentified bodies. Calls received at 15 regarding missing persons or unidentified individuals will be checked by the "Meri Pehchan Team" using the database. By obtaining data from NADRA, the service will help locate missing individuals and reunite them with their families.

The citizens can report any emergencies or missing individuals by calling 15.

Lahore: The fourth meeting of the Steering Committee for CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif's 'Dhi Rani' programme was held here on Wednesday.

The meeting was chaired by Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Sohail Shaukat Butt, with the participation of Chief Minister's Political Advisor Zeeshan Malik, Secretary Social Welfare Javed Akhtar, DG Social Welfare Sikandar Zeeshan, and other committee members.

During the meeting, DG Social Welfare Sikandar Zeeshan provided a detailed briefing on the preparation of the 'Dhi Rani' programme. The committee approved applications of nearly 50 deserving couples from Lahore and discussed strategies for organizing mass weddings in the first phase. A total of 1,500 couples will be married in the initial phase, starting from Lahore.

A Service Level Agreement was signed between the Social Welfare Department and Bank of Punjab to facilitate the distribution of financial assistance. Newlywed couples will be given Rs. 100,000 via ATM cards, with special preference given to daughters of orphans, destitute, and disabled individuals. Additionally, couples will receive daily-use household items as wedding gifts.

The Punjab government is allocating Rs. 1 billion for the program, marking a revolutionary step towards supporting deserving families.

Lahore: The Alhamra Arts Council is buzzing with activities as the three-day 'Sufi Festival' continues to celebrate the decadent and unique traditions of Sufism in the Subcontinent.

The festival organised under the auspices of the Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department in collaboration with the Alhamra Arts Council, features a wide array of events, including art and craft exhibitions, calligraphy showcases, Sufi music performances, panel discussions, whirling dervish dances, poetry recitals, and the soulful Mehfil-e-Sama. Alhamra has ensured a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere for festival attendees.

Chairman Alhamra Razi Ahmed expressed his deligh, and said, 'I am very pleased to learn of the initiative taken by the government of Punjab to celebrate the Subcontinent's unique Sufi traditions through the festival. The Lahore Arts Council and the government aim to enhance our society's harmony, humaneness, and inclusion.'

Executive Director Syed Tauqeer Haider Kazmi highlighted Alhamra's pivotal role in upholding the teachings of Sufi saints. Kazmi said Alhamra serves as a custodian of the teachings of Sufi saints, which are crucial for countering the growing sentiments of extremism in society. Our land is the land of Sufis, and Sufism is about serving humanity and promoting love and compassion. Kazmi further emphasised that the Sufi Festival aims to pay tribute to the saints, celebrate their contributions, and bring their teachings to light for the younger generation.

Festival attendees praised the initiative, describing it as a timely and meaningful endeavour. 'Sufi literature remains a beacon of peace and security in our society. This festival encapsulates the essence of those literary traditions, which hold the secrets to a beautiful life. Our hearts are brimming with respect and love for Sufi saints,' remarked one visitor.

The Sufi Festival at Alhamra reflects the council's commitment to promoting cultural and spiritual heritage and reinforces the timeless values of love, tolerance, and peace cherished by Sufi teachings.