Category: Lahore

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.

Lahore: Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, along with Chinese Consul General Sun Yan, inaugurated a three-day photo exhibition at the Punjab Assembly to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

The exhibition highlights the historic journey of Pakistan-China friendship, diplomatic cooperation and shared achievements through a collection of rare photographs depicting key milestones in bilateral relations.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Young Parliamentarians Forum President Amina Hassan Sheikh, Punjab Women Protection Authority Chairperson Hina Parvez Butt, Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmad, and other distinguished guests.

Addressing the ceremony, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stated, “Pakistan-China friendship is a remarkable example of mutual trust, respect, and long-standing cooperation.”

He said that such exhibitions provide an opportunity for the younger generation to understand the history of bilateral relations and appreciate the shared journey of progress and development between the two countries.

The Speaker further emphasized that the Pakistan-China partnership has an important role in promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.

He added that strengthening parliamentary and people-to-people contacts would further enhance the longstanding relationship between the two nations.

Chinese Consul General Sun Yan said that Pakistan and China have always stood by each other through challenges, and the friendship between the two countries has continued to grow stronger over the decades.

He highlighted that enhanced cultural exchanges and stronger people-to-people linkages would further contribute to deepening bilateral relations in the future.

Students from various universities and educational institutions visited the exhibition and showed keen interest in the historical journey of Pakistan-China friendship.

Visitors appreciated the rare photographs displayed at the exhibition, describing them as a valuable portrayal of the strong and enduring bonds between the two countries.

The three-day photo exhibition will remain open for the public, students, and people from different walks of life, providing an opportunity to learn about the rich history of Pakistan-China relations.

Lahore: The Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, States and Frontier Regions Chairman Senator Asad Qasim on Thursday said the committee would submit recommendations to the federal and Punjab governments for the removal of encroachments from Jammu and Kashmir State land in Lahore to ensure effective action.

He said positive progress had been made in improving the record of State properties managed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Property Department, Lahore, including geo-fencing, enhancement of rents and other administrative measures.

He said this while briefing the media after chairing a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, States and Frontier Regions at Aiwan-i-Iqbal Complex.

During the meeting, Federal Secretary for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Kamran Rehman Khan briefed the committee regarding urban and rural properties administered by the Jammu and Kashmir State Property department, Lahore.

Administrator Jammu and Kashmir State Property Lahore Adnan Khan also informed the committee about the department’s budget, administrative affairs, financial matters, property rents, record management and other related issues.

Committee members Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Senator Dostain Ali Domki, Senator Nasir Mahmood Butt and Senator Naseema Ehsan attended the meeting, raised questions on various issues and presented their suggestions.

Speaking to the media the Senator Asad Qasim said the committee had visited Lahore for the first time to inspect State properties, lands and related issues under the ministry’s administration. He said the committee had received detailed briefings from the relevant authorities and reviewed various administrative, legal and financial matters. He said progress had been made in improving State property records, geo-fencing, increasing rents and implementing other administrative measures. However, the committee would formulate recommendations on matters requiring further improvement.

He said the committee would make every possible effort to help resolve the issues being faced.

Senator Asad Qasim said the committee would visit the State properties tomorrow (Friday) to inspect encroachments and other issues on the ground, after which it would finalize its recommendations.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique on Thursday directed all government teaching hospitals to ensure that medico-legal reports are issued through an online system, stressing that Medical Superintendents (MSs) must take responsibility for implementing the directive to improve transparency and efficiency.

He was chairing a meeting at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department to review the reporting of medico-legal cases in government teaching hospitals. During the meeting, Surgeon Medico-Legal Punjab and Deputy Secretary (Technical) Dr. Abdul Rehman presented a report on recent visits to teaching hospitals and highlighted the current status of medico-legal reporting.

Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood said that manual medico-legal reports would not be tolerated under any circumstances, emphasizing the government’s commitment to digitizing the system and ensuring timely and transparent reporting.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Operations Nabila Irfan, Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Waseem, MS Mayo Hospital Lahore Dr. Abdul Mudabar Rehan, MS General Hospital Lahore Dr. Farayad Hussain, MS Services Hospital Lahore Dr. Rana Khurram, MS Jinnah Hospital Lahore Dr. Hafiz Moin, and MS Mian Munshi Hospital Dr. Memon Akbar. Medical Superintendents of all teaching hospitals also participated through video link.