Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Punjab Government on Thursday in an important message regarding the national flag of Pakistan has instructed to strictly implement the official instructions of 1989.

A letter has been sent to all government departments, institutions and universities. Implementation of the rules for the design and use of the national flag has been made mandatory.

Instructions have been given to avoid using a torn and dirty national flag. The use of the national flag for advertising and commercial purposes is prohibited.

Instructions have been given to avoid any act that leads to disrespect for the national flag.

Foreign flags will be used only under the prescribed diplomatic and official protocol. Instructions have been given to display national and foreign flags in accordance with the prescribed rules.

The letter was sent as a reminder to implement the 1989 instructions.

Lahore: Applications have been invited from young agricultural graduates under the Punjab Chief Minister Agricultural Graduates Internship Programme.

A spokesman of the Punjab Agriculture department said here on Monday that young agricultural graduates having a maximum age of 27 years (till the last date of submission of application) and possessing a B. Sc. (Hons) Agriculture degree are eligible to apply.

The spokesperson further stated that 1, 500 young agricultural graduates will be recruited under this programme. Each selected internee will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 70, 000. Interested agricultural graduates may download the application form from the Punjab Agriculture department’s website www. agripunjab. gov. pk or obtain it from the office of the concerned Deputy Director Agriculture (Extension) or Assistant Director Agriculture (Extension). The terms and conditions, along with other relevant details, are provided in the application form. Applicants are required to complete the application form and submit it to the office of the concerned Deputy Director Agriculture (Extension) by July 30, 2026. Internees who have already benefited from this internship programme during previous years are not eligible to apply.

Lahore: The Higher Education Commission’s admission test will be held on July 26, for undergraduate Degree Programs.

Undergraduate Degree Programs admission test schedule has been released in educational institutions across the country.

According to HEC, admission test is mandatory for educational institutions, however, students who submit the form can obtain the roll number slip from the portal.

Lahore: Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Thursday urged the government to take immediate policy measures to safeguard the country’s value-added garment exports.

PRGMEA (North Zone) Chairman Imran Salahuddin told media that delays in key decisions are increasing production costs, weakening competitiveness and discouraging fresh investment at a time when Pakistan has an opportunity to expand its share in the global markets.

He added the garment sector has demonstrated resilience despite multiple domestic and international challenges and remains one of the country’s largest providers of employment and foreign exchange. He said the industry is fully capable of substantially increasing exports if long-standing policy issues are addressed on a priority basis.

Salahuddin said, the first and foremost requirement is the immediate release of pending sales tax refunds, DLTL and other admissible claims. Billions of rupees remain stuck with different departments, affecting exporters’ cash flow and forcing many companies to rely on expensive bank financing for working capital.

One of the major concerns, he said, is the rising cost of doing business, high electricity tariffs, gas prices, financing costs, transportation expenses and other production charges, which are eroding Pakistan’s competitiveness against regional exporters. He stressed that a predictable and competitive energy pricing mechanism is essential for export-oriented industries.

The PRGMEA (North Zone) Chairman added that there is an urgent need for a stable and long-term export policy. Frequent changes in taxation, regulatory procedures and trade policies create uncertainty for manufacturers and international buyers, making long-term business planning difficult. A consistent policy framework encourages fresh investment, capacity expansion and greater confidence among foreign buyers.

Former PRGMEA Chairman Ijaz Khokhar said the global apparel market is witnessing significant supply chain diversification, creating new opportunities for Pakistan. However, these opportunities can only be fully grabbed if exporters are provided with a stable business environment and internationally competitive production conditions.

He said, neighbouring countries are actively supporting their export industries through competitive utility tariffs, easier financing, tax facilitation and investment incentives, while Pakistani exporters continue to struggle with higher operating costs and liquidity constraints.

Ijaz Khokhar said, the apparel industry has the potential to generate billions of dollars in additional export earnings and create thousands of new employment opportunities if policy support matches the sector’s contribution to the national economy. He urged the government to engage regularly with exporters while formulating trade and industrial policies so that practical solutions can be developed through consultation.

The PRGMEA expressed confidence that timely government action on these issues will strengthen Pakistan’s value-added textile sector, improve industrial productivity, attract new investment and help achieve sustainable export-led economic growth.

Lahore: The registration process for the Punjab Rising Stars Portal is underway, providing young athletes across Punjab with a digital platform to showcase their talent and access new opportunities for growth and development. The portal has been developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in collaboration with the Sports Board Punjab to promote sports and identify emerging talent across the province.

Through the Punjab Rising Stars Portal, aspiring athletes from across Punjab can register their online profiles in karate, cricket, hockey, football, badminton, and various other sports. The portal will enable talented athletes to benefit from talent identification, professional training, mentorship, and skill development opportunities, helping them progress toward national and international sporting excellence.

Speaking about the initiative, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf said, ‘The Punjab Rising Stars Portal provides young athletes with an excellent opportunity to showcase their abilities through modern technology. Our goal is to establish a transparent and integrated platform that helps identify sporting talent and connects athletes with opportunities for training, development, and recognition at both national and international levels.’

Young athletes from across Punjab are encouraged to register through the Punjab Rising Stars Portal by visiting: https: //risingstars.punjab.gov.pk/.

Lahore: Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab (SACM) for Food Safety and Consumer Protection Salma Butt said on Thursday that Punjab Government is introducing modern reforms in the food safety system to ensure food quality and consumer protection.

In a meeting with business community here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), she said that work is underway on various initiatives, including digitalization, modern monitoring systems, and body cameras, to increase transparency in the operations of the Punjab Food Authority and ensure uniform enforcement of the law. She added that action against substandard, adulterated, and harmful food products will continue without discrimination, while businesses that comply with the law will be fully encouraged.

She said the government’s commitment to working with the business community to promote an environment where consumers have access to safe food and businesses can also thrive.

LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, Executive Committee members along with a large number of businessmen attended the meeting.

Saigol said that providing consumers with quality and safe food products is a fundamental responsibility of every civilized society. Lahore Chamber has always supported initiatives that ensure the public receives better and quality products. He said that honest traders and industrialists should be encouraged, while those involved in adulteration, hoarding, fraud, and the sale of substandard products should face impartial action.

He emphasized that the government and business community are partners and that, alongside enforcing regulations, it is essential to take traders into confidence, listen to their concerns, and adopt transparent and simple procedures. He expressed hope that consultation with trade organizations, the food industry, restaurants, and the retail sector would be further strengthened, while awareness campaigns, training programs, and clear SOPs would help improve the business environment. He praised the initiatives undertaken under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in public service, price control, health, transportation, and other sectors, and said that the Lahore Chamber would stand with the government in every effort aimed at providing quality food, fair prices, and a transparent business environment.

In her address, Salma Butt said that before the meeting she had assumed that the business community might express concerns regarding food safety measures; however, the positive response from the Lahore Chamber encouraged her. She said that food safety measures are not intended to harm businesses but to ensure the protection of citizens’ health and lives. She proposed that the Lahore Chamber and the Punjab Food Authority jointly organize seminars and awareness sessions so that the business community can gain complete understanding of the relevant laws and SOPs.

She said that the Punjab Food Authority has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on several key issues, including the use of adulterated food and ingredients, substandard spices, poor-quality and repeatedly used cooking oil, the sale of expired products, and other factors harmful to health. She added that inspections of cooking oil used at various locations have produced alarming results. Such oil poses serious risks to human health and may increase the chances of various diseases, particularly cancer.

Salma Butt said that the burden of substandard food is not limited to consumers alone but also affects the entire healthcare system. She said that one of the major reasons for the increase in diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases is poor-quality food, which places additional pressure on the health sector. She added that the government is working on public awareness initiatives through the use of modern technology and various reform measures so that citizens can know the quality of the food they consume.

She further said that the government is aware of certain licensing and labeling issues faced by the food industry and that the relevant system is being reviewed to address them. She said that consideration is being given to simplifying and improving procedures for food chains with multiple branches and products available in various packaging formats so that the business community does not face unnecessary difficulties. She reiterated that the government stands with all businesses that comply with the law, provide quality food, and prioritize consumer health.

Thanking the Lahore Chamber for its cooperation and positive approach, she said that the government and the private sector would continue to work together to promote safe food and a transparent business environment across Punjab.