Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Lahore, in collaboration with the Alkhidmat Foundation, on Saturday launched the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign at Jillani Park to promote environmental sustainability and expand the city’s green cover.

The campaign was inaugurated by Managing Director PHA Lahore Zahid Pervez Waraich, who planted a sapling to mark the launch of the initiative. The ceremony was attended by Additional Managing Director Zona Waheed Butt, Project Director Waqar Rehman, PHA officials, Alkhidmat Foundation volunteers and members of the public, who also participated in the plantation drive by planting various tree saplings.

Addressing the ceremony, Zahid Pervez Waraich said the campaign aims to increase Lahore’s green cover, protect the environment and transform the city into a greener and more sustainable place. He urged citizens to plant at least one tree and ensure its proper care, describing tree plantation as one of the most effective measures to address the challenges of climate change.

He said the monsoon season provides ideal conditions for tree plantation and appreciated the active participation of Alkhidmat Foundation volunteers in the environmental initiative.

The Managing Director also announced that PHA Lahore has introduced a Free Home Delivery of Plants programme under which citizens can receive two free indigenous plants by calling the PHA Helpline 1399. He said PHA gardeners will also visit homes to plant the saplings.

Reaffirming the authority’s commitment to achieving its plantation targets, Zahid Pervez Waraich said PHA Lahore would continue its efforts to make Lahore a greener, cleaner and environmentally sustainable city.

Additional Managing Director Zona Waheed Butt said PHA Lahore was making every possible effort to successfully implement the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign and expressed confidence that active public participation would play a key role in achieving its objectives.

Lahore: As many as 12,202 citizens’ pockets in Lahore were picked in different areas of the city this year.

According to police records, City Division topped the list with 2548 cases of pickpocketing, Model Town Division came second with 2312 incidents of pickpocketing.

Likewise, Saddar Division came third with 2286 cases of pickpocketing, Cantt Division recorded 2174, Iqbal Town Division recorded 1692 cases of pickpocketing. 1190 incidents of pickpocketing were reported in Civil Lines Division this year.

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Ejaz on Saturday inaugurated a specialized training programme for the Civil Defence Resilience Force to enhance emergency preparedness and disaster response capabilities in the district.

The inaugural session was held at Town Hall, where hundreds of Civil Defence personnel and volunteers will receive training in emergency response, disaster management and rescue operations.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Abdullah Khan, Civil Defence Officer Ashfaq Ahmad and other officials attended the ceremony.

Addressing the participants, the DC said the Civil Defence Force had always played a key role as a frontline response unit during emergencies, natural disasters and adverse weather conditions. He appreciated the dedication and professionalism of the personnel.

He said the training programme would equip the force with modern skills to improve response time and operational efficiency, enabling it to better assist the district administration in relief, rescue and public service operations.

Muhammad Ali Ejaz said protection of citizens’ lives and property was the administration’s top priority and urged participants to utilize the training to enhance their professional capabilities.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday praised the security forces for foiling a terrorist attempt in Wana, lauding their professionalism and timely action in protecting innocent lives.

In a statement, the chief minister said the successful operation reflected the forces’ vigilance, professional competence and commitment to national security.

She said the prompt response by security personnel prevented potential loss of life and destruction in Wana and adjoining areas, adding that their courage and dedication were highly commendable.

Maryam Nawaz said the nation stood firmly with the security forces and their sacrifices in safeguarding the country and its people would always be remembered.

Lahore: Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi has chaired an important meeting at the National Hockey Stadium on Friday regarding the upcoming CM Punjab Champions League.

Deputy Director Sports Zahoor Ahmed attended the meeting in person while Vice President Pakistan Railways Sports Board Hamdan Nazir joined the meeting online.

The meeting reviewed organisational arrangements, team composition and the competition format for the league, which is scheduled to be held in the last week of July with the collaboration of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan Railway and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Addressing the meeting, Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi informed that the tournament would be played in four pools. Pool A will comprise teams from Bahawalpur, Lahore and Sargodha divisions, while Pool B will feature DG Khan, Lahore Green and Faisalabad. Pool C will include Multan, Lahore Blue and Gujranwala, whereas Pool D will consist of Sahiwal, Gujrat and Rawalpindi teams.

Qureshi said that the league would also feature four women’s teams, highlighting the commitment to promoting cricket among female athletes across Punjab.

‘The best performers emerging from the CM Punjab Champions League would be selected for the Punjab team, which will participate in the Pakistan Cup,’ he added.

The Director General Sports added that the competition would provide a valuable platform for talented cricketers to showcase their skills and earn higher-level opportunities. ‘The tournament would feature both national and international cricketers, making it a highly competitive event’.

Deputy Director Sports Zahoor Ahmed attended the meeting in person while Vice President Pakistan Railways Sports Board Hamdan Nazir joined the meeting online.

Lahore: Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Secretary Dr Kiran Khurshid said on Friday that a crackdown on profiteering, overcharging and hoarding had been further intensified across the province in line with the directives of the Punjab government.

In this regard, Consumer Protection Punjab had released the performance report of the price control magistrates, according to which emergency operations were being carried out across Punjab to provide relief to the public, said a handout issued here.

Dr Kiran said that 1,635 price control magistrates were currently active in the field across the province and were performing their duties. During the past two weeks, these magistrates conducted raids at a total of 1,030,918 locations in all districts of Punjab. The secretary said that 5,395 shopkeepers and store owners were issued heavy fines, warnings and strict notices for failing to display official price lists at prominent places.

She further stated that strict legal action was taken against 50,283 individuals found guilty of overcharging and fines exceeding Rs 29.418 million were imposed. She said that in cases involving serious violations, 71 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against profiteers, while 1,746 individuals were arrested.

In addition, 209 shops and warehouses involved in profiteering, hoarding and other serious offences were sealed.

The secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment and said that protecting consumers’ rights and ensuring the uninterrupted supply of quality food items at reasonable prices was the top priority of the Punjab government.

Action against profiteers and those creating artificial inflation would continue without interruption under the government’s zero-tolerance policy, she added.

She said that no one would be allowed to exploit the public.