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Around 26 missing children recovered via Zara Alert App in Dec 2024

Islamabad: Around 26 missing children were found through the Zara Alert app by the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) in December 2024.

Speaking to reporter on Monday, an official from the Ministry of Human Rights stated that from December 1 to December 31, 2024, the Zara Alert service received a total of 75 cases nationwide. The gender-wise distribution included 52 boys and 23 girls. Among the cases, 20 involved children aged 1 to 5 years, 9 involved those aged 6 to 10 years, 23 were in the 10 to 15-year age group, and another 23 cases involved children aged 16 to 18 years.

Around 44 open cases were received, and 25 preliminary examinations were conducted, he added. A total of 5 FIRs were registered, and 9 verification cases were also received.

He further mentioned that five cases are under investigation, and 31 cases have been closed. Additionally, three duplicate cases and two fake cases were reported, he added.

He further mentioned that three duplicate cases and two fake cases were reported. He stated that the Ministry of Human Rights is actively working to address evolving threats and aims to make the country the safest place for children through its helpline services.

He further mentioned that individuals can contact the Ministry at [email protected], and the ministry will ensure service delivery. Approximately 450 cases were related to reminders or follow-ups: 77 in the first week of December, 96 in the second week, 122 in the third week, and 155 in the last week of December.

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CO2 mixing in LPG a deadly hazard: Spokesperson LPG association

Islamabad: Spokesperson for the LPG Distributors Association, Irfan Khokhar, has raised serious concerns over the dangerous practice of mixing carbon dioxide (CO2) with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Talking to a private news channel on Monday, he appreciated the efforts of OGRA in addressing the issue and drafting legislation to curb this malpractice.

He explained that the standard pressure of an LPG cylinder is 540 PSI, but adding CO2 increases it to 900-1200 PSI, significantly raising the risk of cylinder explosions.

He revealed that CO2, being cheaper than LPG, is being used illegally by profiteers to generate billions of rupees.

He warned that LPG is highly flammable, and mixing it with CO2 not only poses severe safety risks but also causes adverse environmental impacts.

Additionally, he noted that the high-pressure CO2 can lead to malfunctioning of LPG equipment, which is not designed for such pressure levels.

Khokhar called for strict regulatory action to eliminate this hazardous practice and ensure public safety.

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Door- to-door waste collection drive kicked off in city

Lahore: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq and Chief Minister's Special Assistant on Political Affairs Zeeshan Malik inaugurated the door-to-door waste collection programme in the provincial capital on Monday. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Chairman Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) Bilal Zulfiqar Khokhar and CEO Babar Sahib Din were also present during a ceremony held at Nishtar Town. Addressing the ceremony, the provincial minister said that initially the collection of waste from houses had been started from the relatively backward area of Nishtar Town. "The scope of door-to-door waste collection will be extended to all areas in a phased manner. I congratulate the LWMC for carrying forward the vision of the chief minister", he said. He added that door-to-door waste collection had started in 25 union councils of Lahore. " The LWMC will add 2 or 3 union councils every day", he pledged. He expressed his determination t hat 100 union councils will be brought under th is scope by January 31 and the whole city by mid-March. Zeeshan Rafiq said that Clean Punjab was not a campaign but the name of an organized cleanliness movement. He emphasized that no movement could succeed without the support of citizens. "Zinda Dilan Lahore are requested to support the government's efforts to make the city ideal," he added. On this occasion, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik said that Suthra Punjab programme was a game changer for which credit went to the chief minister. "We all have to beautify the city along with our homes", he added.

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Door- to-door waste collection drive kicked off in city

Lahore: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq and Chief Minister's Special Assistant on Political Affairs Zeeshan Malik inaugurated the door-to-door waste collection programme in the provincial capital on Monday. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Chairman Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) Bilal Zulfiqar Khokhar and CEO Babar Sahib Din were also present during a ceremony held at Nishtar Town. Addressing the ceremony, the provincial minister said that initially the collection of waste from houses had been started from the relatively backward area of Nishtar Town. "The scope of door-to-door waste collection will be extended to all areas in a phased manner. I congratulate the LWMC for carrying forward the vision of the chief minister", he said. He added that door-to-door waste collection had started in 25 union councils of Lahore. " The LWMC will add 2 or 3 union councils every day", he pledged. He expressed his determination t hat 100 union councils will be brought under th is scope by January 31 and the whole city by mid-March. Zeeshan Rafiq said that Clean Punjab was not a campaign but the name of an organized cleanliness movement. He emphasized that no movement could succeed without the support of citizens. "Zinda Dilan Lahore are requested to support the government's efforts to make the city ideal," he added. On this occasion, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik said that Suthra Punjab programme was a game changer for which credit went to the chief minister. "We all have to beautify the city along with our homes", he added.

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KP to launch free medication project for underprivileged citizens

Peshawar: The Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health, Ehtesham Ali on Monday announced a groundbreaking initiative to provide free outpatient medications to underprivileged individuals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The project would be piloted at the Mardan Medical Complex (MMC), with plans for future expansion across the province.

Speaking during his visit to Bacha Khan Medical College, Ehtesham Ali highlighted the provincial government's commitment to improving healthcare and education, terming them as top priorities.

He emphasized that stringent criteria would be established to ensure only deserving patients benefit from the free medication scheme.

Provincial Minister for Food, Zahir Shah Toru, and Members of the Provincial Assembly Iftikhar Mashwani, Abdul Salam Afridi also accompanied the CM's aide.

Officials from the Mardan Medical Teaching Institution, including Board of Governors Chairman Prof Dr Arshad Javed, and other key staff members, briefed the delegation about institutional operations.

Ehtesham Ali stressed the government's efforts to enhance healthcare facilities at the regional level to reduce the burden on teaching hospitals.

He added that the health department was also working on an online portal to provide real-time information about available medicines in provincial hospitals.

The portal aimed to improve transparency and ensure timely availability of essential medicines.

Highlighting the importance of accountability, the advisor assured swift action against any negligence or complaints related to healthcare services.

During the visit, the Dean and CEO of Bacha Khan Medical College and MMC, Prof Dr Amjad Ali, briefed the officials about the progress of various projects, including the establishment of endocrinology, neurology, dermatology, and plastic surgery departments within the past six months.

He also highlighted the near-completion of facilities such as a 10-bed Medical ICU, a Cath Lab, and the 130-bed Benazir Bhutto Children's Hospital.

Dr Amjad requested financial support for procuring an MRI and CT scanner for MMC and completing remaining development work at the children's hospital.

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SMEDA, PITB sign agreement for value addition in SMERP

Lahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Monday entered into an agreement with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to enhance efficacy of its SME Registration Portal (SMERP). The agreement was signed by Socrat Aman Rana, CEO SMEDA and Muhammad Waseem Bhatti, Director General (GDS)-PITB on behalf of their organizations at a signing ceremony held in a local hotel.

A large number of the representatives from the business community, banking industry and the public sector were also present. Highlighting the key objectives of the agreement, CEO SMEDA Socrat Aman Ran told that the SMEDA was already operating a PITB-developed Small and Medium Enterprise Registration Portal (SMERP), which required further development and enhancement for addition of advanced features, integrations, mobile application and expansion. The SMEDA and PITB, after having mutual understanding of the requirement, have agreed to accomplish a set scope of work as a joint venture, he said adding that the agreement with the PITB would add value to SMERP, which will not only improve SME certification and grant management system, but would also upgrade One Window/Mobile App facility, SME Registry's networking with other useful data resources and E-Commerce Platform linkages with many more online services.

Muhammad Waseem Bhatti, DG (GDS)-PITB, while exchanging the documents of agreement with CEO SMEDA, assured to achieve the objectives and goals assigned by the SMEDA in the given scope of work. He appreciated that in the era of information technology, the SMEDA was endeavoring hard to provide the local SMEs with the word-class online facilities. He applauded the modern approach of CEO SMEDA in this regard.