Category: Lahore

Lahore: Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra) Executive Director Muhammad Nawaz Gondal reviewed ongoing renovation, upgradation and maintenance projects at the Alhamra Cultural Complex, Gaddafi Stadium, here on Monday.

He directed officials to ensure their timely completion while maintaining the highest standards of quality, transparency and professionalism.

During his visit, the executive director inspected the Administrative Block, the Alhamra Museum and other key sections of the Cultural Complex to assess the progress of development works, construction quality and maintenance standards.

He also visited various departments to review operational performance and staff attendance, stressing discipline, punctuality and accountability as essential values for maintaining the institution’s efficiency and reputation.

On the occasion, the ED said the true strength of an institution lay not only in modern infrastructure but also in the professionalism, discipline and commitment of its workforce. He said Alhamra was committed to upgrading its facilities alongside strengthening administrative standards to ensure good governance and provide artists, students and visitors with an environment that reflected the highest institutional values.

He directed the authorities concerned to complete all ongoing projects within the stipulated timeframe and continue regular monitoring of administrative performance, reaffirming Alhamra’s commitment to institutional excellence, efficient public service and the continuous improvement of its cultural facilities.

Lahore: Portugal’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif here on Monday. Matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, trade, investment and cooperation in agriculture, livestock, tourism and other sectors were discussed during the meeting.

Welcoming the ambassador, the chief minister thanked him for visiting Lahore and expressed Punjab’s commitment to strengthening ties with Portugal.

She invited Portuguese companies to explore business and investment opportunities in Punjab, saying there was vast potential for collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector, energy, water resources, healthcare and digital innovation.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen Pakistan-Portugal bilateral relations and discussed a proposal to establish a Pakistan-Portugal Business Forum to promote commercial cooperation. They also held detailed discussions on developing sister-city relations between Lahore and Lisbon to enhance cultural and educational exchanges, while emphasizing the need to expand cooperation in tourism and other areas of mutual interest.

CM Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan and Portugal enjoyed longstanding friendly relations with ample room for further expansion through institutional cooperation. She noted that promoting Portuguese culture, heritage, language and academic exchanges would help strengthen people-to-people contacts. Referring to football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, she remarked that a large number of young Pakistanis were his admirers.

Ambassador Paulo Domingues praised Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States and acknowledged the country’s efforts to promote lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. He also lauded the Punjab government’s initiatives in the health sector, particularly the establishment of the province’s first government cancer hospital, and invited Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to visit Portugal.

The ambassador assured the chief minister that Portuguese authorities would continue to facilitate Pakistani investors and businessmen seeking business opportunities in Portugal.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora on Monday met Pakistan’s Consul General in Sydney, Qamar Zaman, and discussed minority welfare, interfaith harmony, educational collaboration and ways to strengthen Pakistan-Australia cooperation.

During the meeting, attended by Chaudhry Shoaib Haneef, Chaudhry Aslam Kahloo and Naseer Taseer, the minister highlighted the Punjab government’s inclusive initiatives under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the empowerment of minority communities, said a handout issued here.

He briefed the consul general on key programmes, including the Minority Card Programme, digital literacy and e-learning initiatives, support for CSS examination preparation, educational opportunities for out-of-school children, and the restoration and preservation of religious heritage sites.

The two sides agreed to explore enhanced cooperation in education, digital skills development and economic empowerment. They also discussed facilitating special scholarships and educational quotas for Pakistani minority students at Australian universities.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora invited the consul general to visit the Kartarpur Corridor to witness Pakistan’s commitment to interfaith harmony and religious inclusion.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said he was committed to projecting Punjab’s minority-friendly policies and development initiatives at the international level. He said stronger people-to-people contacts, cultural understanding and inclusive development were vital for further strengthening Pakistan-Australia relations.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and exploring new opportunities in education, community development and interfaith engagement.

Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi on Monday visited Mukhtaran Rafiq Welfare Hospital, where he reviewed medical facilities and appreciated the hospital’s collaboration with Lahore Traffic Police to provide quality healthcare services to traffic wardens.

Upon his arrival, the CTO was received by Project Director Col (retd) Najeebullah Malik, President Abdullah and Vice President Chaudhry Shafiq.

During the visit, Abdul Raheem Shirazi inspected the hospital’s state-of-the-art dialysis centre and other departments. The hospital administration briefed him on the medical facilities and healthcare services being provided to patients.

The hospital also organised a medical camp at the Traffic Police Lines, Manawan, where a team of doctors conducted medical examinations of traffic wardens for various health conditions.

The CTO appreciated the initiative to provide quality healthcare services to traffic personnel and said the welfare of traffic wardens remained a priority.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Lahore Traffic Police and Mukhtaran Rafiq Welfare Hospital, traffic wardens would receive discounted and free medical facilities. Wardens would be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on laboratory services, while deserving traffic personnel, including the families of martyred officials, would receive free medical services of up to 100 per cent.

He added that traffic officers and officials would also be able to avail discounted medical tests for up to six family members under the agreement.

Lahore: The Suthra Punjab Agency Lahore (SPAL) is continuing its uninterrupted citywide cleanliness drive, with sanitation teams intensifying zero-waste operations across Shalimar Town.

On the directions of Suthra Punjab Authority DG Babar Sahib Din, more than 1,100 sanitation workers, assisted by 110 operational vehicles, cleared 6 identified waste hotspots in Shalimar Town as part of the ongoing zero-waste drive. To strengthen daily waste collection, 190 loader rickshaws have been deployed across the town for door-to-door collection.

Sanitation teams also carried out manual washing and water sprinkling around Shalimar Gardens and adjoining roads to maintain cleanliness in the area. Special cleanliness operations were completed around Neelam Cinema Commercial Market, Kotli Pir Abdul Rehman, Jameel Park, Ali Park, Bhogiwal Road, Shalimar Link Road, Jani Pura and the vicinity of Muhammad Ali Marriage Hall.

Waste clearance and manual sweeping operations are continuing in China Scheme, Chamra Mandi, Misri Shah, Shad Bagh, Sukh Nehar Road, Ghore Shah, Baghbanpura Bazaar, Ramgarh Bazaar and Suhawari Bazaar.

Daily zero-waste operations are also being maintained at the Fazalpura waste enclosure and the temporary waste collection point in China Scheme.

DG Babar Sahib Din said that special sanitation arrangements are being implemented in both urban and rural union councils to ensure improved cleanliness services for residents. He stated that all 9 towns of Lahore are being converted into zero-waste zones in phases under the Suthra Punjab initiative, while tractor-trolleys are also being used to clear waste from open plots in rural union councils.

Citizens have been urged to report sanitation-related complaints through the Suthra Punjab helpline 1139 or social media platforms.

Lahore: The Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PAKMMAF) successfully staged the inaugural PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series at Fight HQ in Lahore, bringing together many of the country’s finest mixed martial artists for an action-packed event featuring 12 elite contests.

Designed to bridge the gap between domestic competition and the international stage, the Contender Series showcased Pakistan’s emerging talent as athletes continued their preparations for upcoming IMMAF World Championship campaigns. The event was headlined by outstanding victories from twin sisters Maliha Ali and Manesha Ali, rising youth sensation Aurangzeb Ahmed, and former national wrestling champion Rashid Gujjar.

The standout performance of the evening came from former National MMA Champion Manesha Ali, who earned both a dominant unanimous decision victory over Karachi’s Imama and the prestigious Fight of the Night award. Representing Brave Gym and hailing from Hunza, the accomplished international competitor controlled every aspect of the contest across all three rounds, demonstrating the composure, technical ability and championship pedigree that have established her as one of Pakistan’s leading female mixed martial artists.

Her twin sister, Maliha Ali, also delivered an impressive performance to maintain the family’s perfect night. The Hunza-born Brave Gym athlete defeated Quetta’s Sadia despite conceding approximately five kilograms in weight to her opponent. A Wushu champion and national kickboxing gold medallist, Maliha displayed exceptional skill, determination and resilience throughout the contest, underlining her credentials as one of Pakistan’s most promising international prospects.

Former national wrestling champion Rashid Gujjar enjoyed a memorable victory by defeating Qurban Khan in a highly anticipated rematch. The result carried added significance as Gujjar avenged his defeat to Khan in the National Championship final, highlighting his rapid evolution since transitioning from wrestling to mixed martial arts and further strengthening his credentials ahead of upcoming international competition.

Among the evening’s most exciting moments was an emphatic knockout victory by Aurangzeb Ahmed, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s brightest young MMA talents. His explosive performance served as another reminder of his immense potential as he prepares to represent Pakistan at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi this August.

The victories represent significant milestones in Pakistan’s international MMA ambitions. Maliha Ali, Manesha Ali and Rashid Gujjar will now intensify their preparations for the IMMAF World Championships in Georgia this November, while Aurangzeb Ahmed turns his attention to the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi. The PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series has been established to provide athletes with consistent, high-level competition that mirrors the demands of international events, while also creating a pathway towards opportunities with leading professional MMA organisations.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who attended the event as chief guest, praised the federation’s efforts in promoting mixed martial arts among Pakistan’s youth. She said the rapid growth of MMA is creating positive role models for young people while encouraging healthier lifestyles and stronger communities. She noted that participation in sport helps keep young people away from drugs, crime and other negative influences, contributes to improved mental health, reduces excessive screen time and instils discipline, resilience and strong character. She commended the Pakistan MMA Federation for creating opportunities that empower young athletes to pursue their dreams through sport.

PAKMMAF President Omar Ahmed said the federation’s vision extends far beyond winning medals on the international stage. “Success isn’t measured solely by medals. Success is building a complete athlete development pathway that creates sustainable opportunities for every aspiring mixed martial artist in Pakistan. Our pathway begins in schools and colleges, progresses through White Collar MMA, the Contender Series and the Pakistan Open before preparing athletes for IMMAF World Championships and ultimately professional organisations. We are building world champions while creating opportunities for Pakistani athletes to sign with leading international promotions such as BRAVE CF, UAE Warriors and ACA. Pakistan MMA is building a complete ecosystem for the sport, not simply organising events.”

Ahmed also acknowledged the federation’s partners for their continued commitment to the growth of mixed martial arts in Pakistan. “A special thank you to ACTIVIT and Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed for once again believing in Pakistani MMA. Their continued support allows our athletes to compete internationally and proudly raise the Pakistan flag on the world stage.”

The inaugural PAKMMAF ACTIVIT Contender Series marked another important step in the federation’s long-term athlete development strategy, providing Pakistan’s top competitors with valuable high-performance experience while strengthening the country’s pathway to international success. As Pakistan continues to produce talented athletes capable of competing with the world’s best, the Contender Series is expected to play a pivotal role in developing future IMMAF champions and guiding the nation’s next generation of mixed martial artists towards successful professional careers.