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Azma exposes Rs. 799m embezzlement in KP BISP

Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said on Wednesday that a large-scale financial embezzlement had been uncovered in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), resulting in the World Food Programme halting its operations in the province.

She revealed that Rs. 799 million had been embezzled under the nose of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who claims to be fighting corruption.

Azma Bokhari added that the World Food Programme had raised questions about the financial irregularities and ghost employees in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. She said the government documents highlighted Rs. 799 million in irregularities related to salaries alone. The corrupt individuals had not spared funds allocated for maternal and child health. Prior to this, Rs. 700 million allocated for mosque imams were also siphoned off, added Azma.

The Information minister said the KP finance adviser writes to the federal government every week requesting for funds, but these funds are not being distributed among people.

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SWMC reviews matters

Sargodha: A meeting of the board of directors of the Sargodha Waste Management Company (SWMC) was held under the chairmanship of Commissioner Jahanzaib Awan on Wednesday.

CEO SWMC Rana Shahid Imran briefed the board on significant developments. He highlighted that five meetings of the Human Resource Committee and seven of the Procurement Committee were convened to finalize matters which were subsequently approved by the board of directors.

The meeting was informed that interviews for appointment of senior manager monitoring and

senior monitoring officers in 17 tehsils of the division had been completed. Their deployment

is expected within two weeks. The contractors have initiated procurement of machinery and recruitment of staff to enhance operational efficiency.

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PTC, BCI sign MoU to get sustainable cotton production in country

Islamabad: Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) and the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at getting increased and sustainable production of the yield in the country.

'This strategic partnership aspires to enhance sustainability within the cotton supply chain, encompassing all stages from farm to fashion,' said a news release.

The cotton, it said, production in Pakistan has been on a constant decline for last many years now.

According to the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) report, as of December 31, 2024, the total cotton arrivals in Pakistan stood at 5,452,250 bales, compared to 8,171,082 bales in the previous year, reflecting an overall decline of 33.27% in cotton production in 2024.

The collaboration aims to promote sustainable and traceable cotton production across Pakistan by raising awareness and encouraging the adoption of the Better Cotton Standard System (BCSS).

This partnership will organize workshops and training programs for stakeholders-including farmers, traders, exporters, brands, trade officials, and public sector representatives-to ensure compliance with national and international trade regulations.

Additionally, the initiative seeks to enhance market access for Pakistani better cotton both domestically and internationally, explore opportunities to showcase sustainable cotton products in global markets through trade missions and expos, and advocate for policies that support the national embedding of BCSS.

The collaboration also focuses on improving Pakistan's adherence to international trade agreements and environmental standards, such as the European Union Green Deal and GSP+, and developing market linkages by connecting Pakistani producers with international buyers seeking sustainably sourced cotton.

BCI, established in 2009, is the world's largest cotton sustainability initiative, with nearly a quarter of global cotton licensed under the Better Cotton Standard System.

Operating in Pakistan since its inception, BCI collaborates with diverse stakeholders to support farmers in adopting regenerative practices and strengthening supply chain traceability.

Chairman PTC Fawad Anwar said, "This MoU represents a pivotal step towards sustainable growth for Pakistan's textile sector. By integrating the Better Cotton Standard System nationally, we aim to enhance the quality and competitiveness of our cotton in the global market. This partnership will empower our farmers with the necessary tools and knowledge to adopt sustainable practices, ensuring the long-term viability of our cotton industry."

He further said. "The global textile industry is increasingly prioritizing sustainability. Through this partnership, we are not only aligning with international standards but also positioning Pakistan as a leader in sustainable cotton production. This initiative will open new avenues for trade and strengthen our economy."

This MoU underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation within the textile industry, promising a prosperous future for Pakistan's cotton sector in particular and economic growth in general.

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Blue Veins & PASTNC urge Health Dept to introduce PC-1 for tobacco control in KP

Peshawar: Blue Veins and the Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (PASTC-KP) have called upon the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department to introduce a PC-1 for Tobacco Control in the provincial budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026.

The proposed PC-1 would serve as a critical policy instrument to institutionalize and finance tobacco control measures, ensuring effective implementation of the KP Tobacco Control Roadmap, the Provincial Plan of Action, and Pakistan's commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Tobacco use is a major public health threat, causing life-threatening diseases like cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. It leads to premature deaths, strains healthcare systems, and increases economic burdens. Secondhand smoke harms non-smokers, including children. Effective tobacco control policies are essential to prevent addiction and protect public health.

Introducing this PC-1 will create essential governmental ownership of tobacco control efforts and provide the necessary resources for public awareness campaigns, enforcement of tobacco control laws, monitoring mechanisms, and capacity building of relevant stakeholders. Despite Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's significant progress in advancing tobacco control policies, a dedicated budget line for tobacco control has hindered sustainable enforcement and expansion of initiatives to curb tobacco consumption.

Qamar Naseem, Program Manager at Blue Veins, emphasized the importance of integrating tobacco control into the province's financial planning, stating: "The lack of a dedicated budget for tobacco control limits the province's ability to implement long-term strategies to reduce tobacco consumption and its related health hazards.

By introducing a PC-1, the Provincial Health Department will reaffirm its commitment to protecting public health and ensure that the fight against tobacco use is well-funded and effectively enforced. A structured financial allocation will enhance implementation of the KP Tobacco Control Roadmap and strengthen compliance with international commitments under the WHO FCTC."

Usman Afridi, a youth activist advocating for tobacco-free communities, highlighted the need for government-led interventions to protect the younger generation from tobacco addiction: "Young people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are at high risk of falling prey to tobacco and nicotine addiction due to aggressive industry marketing and easy availability of tobacco products.

The introduction of a PC-1 will enable the government to launch targeted interventions, protect youth from the harmful effects of tobacco, and create healthier communities."

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Rubina Khalid for ensuring transparency in BISP payment process

Karachi: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Program Senator Rubina Khalid on Wednesday directed that BISP beneficiaries must be provided all required facilities and the payment process be made easy and transparent so that they could get their funds without any difficulty.

She said this during her visit to Chanesar Goth centre where BISP beneficiaries were being paid their quarterly stipends.

She interacted with the BISP beneficiaries and inquired about the issues they were facing while receiving the amount.

Senator Rubina Khalid also made payments of Kafalat Stipends to deserving women in her presence.

She directed the BISP and Bank officials to ensure display of awareness banners at the payment centers for the convenience of the beneficiaries.

She asked them to ensure early payment to elderly deserving women on priority basis with dignity and payment process be made more transparent.

Rubina Khalid asked the BISP officials to start the process of distributing the quarterly scholarships before 10 am after completing all the formalities.

The Director General BISP, Zulifiqar Ali Shaikh and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

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DC reviews cleanliness, anti encroachment measures

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza has undertaken a series of inspections to review the city's development plans, cleanliness measures under the Suthra Punjab Program, and anti-encroachment operations.

During his visit to Gajjumatta, the DC assessed the ongoing development schemes under the Lahore Development Plan. Assistant Commissioner Nishtar Zone Muhammad Saleem Aasi provided a detailed briefing on the progress. He emphasized the need for timely completion of the project and directed officials to adhere strictly to the deadlines.

The DC also inspected cleanliness arrangements and anti-encroachment measures at Kahna Kacha Road and Kamahan Road. He instructed officials to transfer garbage to designated dumping sites promptly and implement a comprehensive strategy for the elimination of encroachments. He directed to ensure the immediate removal of roadside vendors to maintain smooth traffic flow and public convenience.

DC Syed Musa Raza ordered the evacuation of animals and nomads from urban areas, stressing the importance of relocating them to suitable locations. The DC underscored that after the completion of cleanliness drives, removal of encroachments, and relocation of animals, it is essential to maintain the improvements to ensure a clean and orderly environment for residents. He highlighted his dedication to improving living standards in the city. The district administration's focus on timely project completion and implementation of cleanliness and anti-encroachment measures reflects a strong commitment to public welfare and urban development in Lahore, he added.