Category: Lahore

Lahore: A ceremony was held at the Central Police Office here on Wednesday in honor of the 16 retired DSPs of Punjab Police.

Retired DSPs met with Inspector General of Police Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar.

The IG Punjab thanked the retired DSPs for their valuable services to the police department.

The retired DSPs included Manzoor Ahmad, Khalid Qureshi, Nadeem Butt, Waqar Ul Haq, Javed Anwar, Javed Iqbal, Ghulam Abbas, Ghazanfar Abbas, Fayyaz Ihsan, Allah Nawaz, Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Akbar, Masood Mazhar, Aqeel Abbas, Tahir Sikander, and Saeed Ahmad.

The IG Punjab directed the formation of an automated system to benefit from the experiences and services of retired police officers.

On this occasion, he said that the pension and GP Fund issues of the retired DSPs should be resolved immediately.

He said that the health and educational welfare of retired police employees and their families are a top priority, adding that retired police officers can provide valuable training to the force in law and order control, technical, and investigation matters. They could be immensely helpful in training and investigation tasks.

He further emphasized that the experiences and suggestions of retired officers should also be utilized to combat terrorism and extremism.

Retired officers expressed their gratitude to IG Punjab for the honor bestowed upon them by the department.

The ceremony was attended by Additional IG Punjab Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry, Additional IG Patrolling Abdul Karim, DIG Establishment-I Suleman Sultan Rana, DIG Welfare and Finance Ghazi Muhammad Salahuddin, AIG Finance, AIG Welfare, and other officers.

Lahore: The Punjab Home Department has launched a new initiative to provide free legal aid to indigent prisoners in all jails of the province. In line with the directive of Punjab's chief minister, the Punjab government has ensured that no poor prisoner would be deprived of legal assistance. According to spokesperson for the Home Department, the department has set up free legal aid committees in all 43 jails across the province. The committees would ensure that prisoners who could not afford legal representation for their cases were provided free legal aid.

The Home Department, in collaboration with the Punjab Bar Council and District Bar Associations, has formed the committees. Additionally, the Home Department has also issued the rules and regulations for providing free legal aid to prisoners. According to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the department, the deputy superintendent of jail would identify prisoners who require a free lawyer. Every Tuesday, announcements regarding the availability of free legal aid would be made in the barracks to ensure all prisoners were informed. On Wednesdays, the list of needy prisoners would be sent to the relevant district's free legal aid committee.

The SOPs also state that deputy superintendent would arrange meetings between the prisoners and their appointed lawyers, ensuring all listed prisoners receive the legal assistance they were entitled to. The Jail superintendent, with the help of Bar Council president, would ensure that there were no obstacles in providing legal aid to prisoners. If lawyers were unavailable, the relevant deputy inspector general (DIG) of the region would inform the IG Prisons. In such cases, the IG, in coordination with the Punjab Bar Council, would ensure immediate availability of legal assistance.

Under the newly issued SOPs, each deputy superintendent (Judicial) was required to send the previous month's free legal aid records to the IG Office by the 5th of each month. Similarly, the IG Prisons would compile these details from across Punjab and send a final report to the Home Department by the 10th of each month. The report will include the number of prisoners who received legal aid and explain why any prisoners were unable to access it. The secretary Punjab Home Department has instructed the IG Prisons to strictly enforce the rules and regulations regarding free legal aid.

Lahore: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar ensured exemplary initiatives for the police force during the year 2024.

In 2024, more than 5,000 departmental promotions were given across the province based on merit and seniority. Punjab Police Spokesperson shared details that, during 2024, 08 MOUs were signed with educational institutions and hospitals.

An amount of Rs 281.9 million was spent on medical financial assistance for police employees and their families. An amount exceeding Rs. 781 million was disbursed for educational scholarships for the children of police employees.

In 2024, 599 police stations across the province were converted into Special Initiative Police Station Protocols, and the process of constructing 39 Smart Police Stations began in different districts of the province.

Punjab Police spokesperson further said that the approval for establishing 19 new police posts in the Kacha areas of Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur was obtained. Similarly, the construction of 30 border posts in Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Mianwali, and Bhakkar was initiated.

The approval for Hard Area Allowance for personnel performing duties in the Kacha areas was also granted. In the Special Branch Punjab, an Artificial Intelligence Center was established, and a paperless computerized system was implemented.

Additionally, the establishment of a district office for the Special Branch in Murree was completed. The construction of a hostel for female personnel in the Qurban Lines was initiated. The approval for 30 plots from the Punjab Government for shifting rental police stations into personal buildings was also obtained. Over 2.6 million citizens were provided services at police service centers across the province. Over 19 million driving licenses were issued to citizens at Driving License Centers. More than 85,000 minority citizens were provided services at Meesaq Centers.

Over Rs. 2320 million was spent on the welfare of police officers and employees, and more than Rs. 2460 million was approved as financial assistance grants for officers and personnel who died during service. Additionally, 170 plots and Rs. 36.0 million were provided to the families of martyrs for the construction of houses. Over Rs. 80 million was spent on the medical treatment of 241 injured personnel during duty.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has extended her heartfelt greetings to the nation on new year. In her message on Wednesday, the CM said: 'Congratulations to the entire nation on the beginning of 2025,'. She expressed her prayers for a year filled with happiness and prosperity for the people of Pakistan, stating, 'I always pray for the happiness, health, and safety of my people.' The CM called for a renewed resolve to work towards a brighter future. 'In the new year, we individually and collectively resolve to start a new beginning and a bright future,' she said, adding, 'We will carry forward the mission of serving, protecting, and developing the motherland.' CM Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to completing key projects, including the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital, the Sargodha Cardiology Institute, the Autism School, and the IT City. 'I pray this year marks the end of poverty, destitution, terrorism, extremism, and crime from our belov ed homeland,' she added. The CM said: 'Alhamdulillah, we introduced historic projects in education, agriculture, energy, and health. Now we will focus on their implementation.' She reiterated her government's dedication to building a stable, bright, and prosperous Pakistan. Paying tribute to the martyrs of war against terrorism in 2024, CM Maryam Nawaz remarked, 'We salute every soldier and officer who sacrificed their lives for the country.' May 2025 be the year of freedom for Kashmir and Palestine, and may it bring peace and progress for our nation, she prayed.

Lahore: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali inaugurated the Urban Bee Hive Mount (UBHM) in Honey Bee Research Garden in collaboration with Lahore Biennale Foundation here on Wednesday. On this occasion, Senior Journalist Suhail Warraich Director Institute of Zoology Prof Dr Nabila Roohi, Director Institute of Botany Prof Dr Muhammad Shakeel, In-charge HBRG Prof Dr Abdul Majid Khan, faculty members and students were present. The Urban Bee Hive Mount is specially designed for Urban Bee keeping promotion keeping in view the changing climatic conditions of Lahore and other cities of Pakistan. In his address, PU VC Dr Muhammad Ali gave the idea of apitherapy and its uses in the human health specially the treatment of arthritis. He further said that HBRG would start a diploma and certified courses soon regarding apiculture. He expressed his interest in commercialization of apiculture and generates entrepreneurship opportunities in this sector. Meanwhile, PU Department of Examinations has declared the results of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) Final Prof. Annual 2024. Details are available at www.pu.edu.pk.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has extended her heartfelt greetings to the nation on new year. In her message on Wednesday, the CM said: 'Congratulations to the entire nation on the beginning of 2025,'. She expressed her prayers for a year filled with happiness and prosperity for the people of Pakistan, stating, 'I always pray for the happiness, health, and safety of my people.' The CM called for a renewed resolve to work towards a brighter future. 'In the new year, we individually and collectively resolve to start a new beginning and a bright future,' she said, adding, 'We will carry forward the mission of serving, protecting, and developing the motherland.' CM Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to completing key projects, including the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital, the Sargodha Cardiology Institute, the Autism School, and the IT City. 'I pray this year marks the end of poverty, destitution, terrorism, extremism, and crime from our belov ed homeland,' she added. The CM said: 'Alhamdulillah, we introduced historic projects in education, agriculture, energy, and health. Now we will focus on their implementation.' She reiterated her government's dedication to building a stable, bright, and prosperous Pakistan. Paying tribute to the martyrs of war against terrorism in 2024, CM Maryam Nawaz remarked, 'We salute every soldier and officer who sacrificed their lives for the country.' May 2025 be the year of freedom for Kashmir and Palestine, and may it bring peace and progress for our nation, she prayed.