Category: Lahore

Lahore: A high-level Chinese delegation met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's at Punjab House, Islamabad on Friday.

The delegation was comprised of Chengdu General Coordinator for ICT Hub Ms. Scarlett and Deputy CEO Huawei Mr. Yu Ray. Chengdu expressed its consent to make an investment worth 700 million dollars and she gave its principle approval.

E-taxi service will be launched soon with the cooperation of Chengdu. A Chinese company will also establish a 'Computing Centre' in Lahore Nawaz Sharif IT City. In the meeting, it was agreed to establish a Data and Cloud Centre in Nawaz Sharif IT City. The Punjab government will provide land and building for establishing a Data and Cloud Centre. It was agreed to establish the first e-commerce platform in Pakistan.

The Chinese company will also impart training to the Pakistani youth for online worldwide trading. Smart control room, smart traffic control, smart transport, smart sanitation centre will be established in Lahore with the Chinese cooperation.

The Punjab CM, Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar and the delegation were briefed about the latest digital centre during their visit to China. An AI Industry Centre will also be established in Phase Two to introduce the youth with the artificial intelligence technology.

The Chinese government will also provide assistance for platform service capacity building in Punjab. Providing assistance in local investment for the establishment of industries was also reviewed in Phase Three. A collaboration will be made to introduce Pakistani youth with the modern technological requirements.

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, 'We want to make Punjab the biggest artificial intelligence centre with the cooperation of China. Punjab will soon become an IT hub in the region and we want our youth to excel and surpass in the IT sector.'

Lahore: Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of relying on lies to gain attraction.

She said that this strategy negatively impacts vulnerable children who fall prey to their false propaganda. Bokhari emphasized that rioters should face no leniency and must be held accountable for their actions.

The minister also outlined several key initiatives under the Punjab government, including a project aimed at providing solar systems to 100,000 people in the province. With an investment of 10 billion rupees, the initiative's full financial plan is already in place. However, consumers with faulty meters or those involved in electricity theft are excluded from this scheme, as are defaulters.

Bokhari highlighted the government's success in tackling inflation, noting that it has now dropped to 4%. She credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz for their roles in this achievement. "Our government hasn't just complained about inflation; we've actively worked to reduce it," she said. She also underscored that the leadership prioritizes merit, stating, "Our leadership has the word 'merit' in its dictionary."

During the press conference at the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR), Bokhari mentioned that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launches a new programme every week, ensuring that the province's initiatives are not merely replicas of other regions. The Punjab government is also moving towards solarizing 8,000 electricity-operated tube wells, with a budget of 2.5 billion rupees allocated for the project, she added.

In addition, she shared positive developments in the agriculture sector, particularly in shrimp farming. A 100-acre shrimp farm in Muzaffargarh is now operational, capable of producing shrimp twice a year. To date, the farm has produced 120 metric tons of shrimp, which has been exported to various countries, she added.

Bokhari also reiterated her concern over the children involved in the May 9 chaos, urging that those who have been released from jail and are preparing to repeat such incidents should face strict consequences. "They should not be pardoned under any circumstances," she asserted, stressing that any form of relief would be denied to them in the future.

Further criticizing PTI, Bokhari claimed that its members are "experts in lying" and "habitual of speaking lies without any shame." She accused PTI founder of spreading rumors while incarcerated.

Concluding her remarks, she assured the public that the Punjab government has established an effective department to monitor and control the prices of essential goods. "In Punjab, any increase in the prices of food items is unacceptable," she stated firmly.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Health Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) Lab and Diagnostic Center on Friday to assess the modern diagnostic facilities being provided to patients.

During the visit, the minister reviewed echocardiography and other diagnostic services available at the center. He stated that, along with advanced pathology tests, the lab also offers ECG and echocardiography facilities to cater to patients' needs.

Khawaja Salman Rafique emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness at the lab and directed the staff to further enhance echocardiography services.

Medical Superintendent of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Dr. Shoaib Aslam, accompanied the minister during the visit.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique announced the government's plan to fully automate the Punjab Pharmacy Council (PPC) during his visit to the institution on Friday.

Chairing a meeting to review PPC's performance, the minister emphasized the importance of modernizing pharmacy education and training to enhance the capacity of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the province.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said, "Modern subjects will be introduced into the curriculum of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in medical colleges and universities across Punjab. Specialized training courses will be launched to improve their skills and capacity." He also highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Punjab and federal governments to strengthen the pharmacy sector.

The minister expressed his determination to enhance the Punjab Pharmacy Council's capacity, enabling it to play a pivotal role in improving healthcare delivery.

During the visit, Secretary Punjab Pharmacy Council, Dr. Zaka-ur-Rehman, briefed the minister on the council's performance and initiatives. Deputy Secretary Technical Department Specialized Health Care and Medical Education, Dr. Abdul Rehman, accompanied the minister, while Registrar Syed Ahmad Nazir Gilani and other officials were present.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has announced plans to establish a simulation center across the province following the successful implementation of a simulation center at King Edward Medical University (KEMU) in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA). Presiding over a meeting on simulation training at KEMU on Friday, the minister stated, 'This training will significantly enhance the skills of doctors and paramedics. Regular simulation training will be initiated at KEMU and Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), while Rescue 1122 paramedics will also benefit from these programs.' KEMU Vice Chancellor Professor Mahmood Ayaz assured full support for expanding simulation training programs at the university. Dr. Anjum from the University of Washington provided a detailed briefing on the effectiveness of simulation labs, showcasing their role in improving medical education and practice. Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique appreciated Dr. Anjum's presentation and stresse d the importance of introducing simulation training in all medical schools in Lahore. He highlighted that departments such as gynecology, orthopedics, and surgery would greatly benefit from this modern approach. Professor Abrar Ashraf and Professor Ahmed Uzair Qureshi echoed the need for simulation-based learning in medical education. The meeting was attended by prominent medical professionals, including Professor Muhammad Moin, CEO Mayo Hospital Professor Faisal Masood, Professor Saima Iqbal, Dr. Irfan Asmat Butt, and others.

Lahore: Despite cold and foggy weather, the Alhamra Cultural Complex in Gulberg-III came alive with a series of literary and cultural activities, marking a vibrant start to the year.

The Alhamra Arts Council has implemented a comprehensive cultural roadmap, ensuring that both the Alhamra Mall Road and Cultural Complex venues continue to offer enriching programs for the public.

In this spirit, a mesmerizing Mehfil-e-Qawwali was held at the Alhamra Cultural Complex. Renowned Qawwal Tahir Mehdi and his team made a soulful performance. The event drew many attendees who braved the winter chill to immerse themselves in qawwali's spiritual and melodic charm.

Chairman Alhamra, Razi Ahmed, shared his thoughts: "Qawwali holds a unique place in our cultural landscape, offering a sublime experience that resonates deeply with the audience. It's heartening to see such enthusiastic participation from the public."

Executive Director Alhamra, Tauqeer Haider Kazmi, highlighted the significance of such events in fostering peace and harmony, noting, "Programs like these play a crucial role in promoting societal harmony and providing solace to the soul. Alhamra remains committed to organizing such enriching experiences for qawwali enthusiasts."

With the warmth of soulful music filling the air, the Alhamra Cultural Complex continues establishing itself as a beacon of artistic and cultural excellence. It offers a much-needed respite from the winter blues while celebrating Pakistan's rich heritage.