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Pharmacy Council to be fully automated: Khawaja Salman

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique announced the government's plan to fully automate the Punjab Pharmacy Council (PPC) during his visit to the institution on Friday.

Chairing a meeting to review PPC's performance, the minister emphasized the importance of modernizing pharmacy education and training to enhance the capacity of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the province.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said, "Modern subjects will be introduced into the curriculum of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in medical colleges and universities across Punjab. Specialized training courses will be launched to improve their skills and capacity." He also highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Punjab and federal governments to strengthen the pharmacy sector.

The minister expressed his determination to enhance the Punjab Pharmacy Council's capacity, enabling it to play a pivotal role in improving healthcare delivery.

During the visit, Secretary Punjab Pharmacy Council, Dr. Zaka-ur-Rehman, briefed the minister on the council's performance and initiatives. Deputy Secretary Technical Department Specialized Health Care and Medical Education, Dr. Abdul Rehman, accompanied the minister, while Registrar Syed Ahmad Nazir Gilani and other officials were present.

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Health minister reviews diagnostic facilities at PIC Lab

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Health Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) Lab and Diagnostic Center on Friday to assess the modern diagnostic facilities being provided to patients.

During the visit, the minister reviewed echocardiography and other diagnostic services available at the center. He stated that, along with advanced pathology tests, the lab also offers ECG and echocardiography facilities to cater to patients' needs.

Khawaja Salman Rafique emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness at the lab and directed the staff to further enhance echocardiography services.

Medical Superintendent of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Dr. Shoaib Aslam, accompanied the minister during the visit.

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ACP celebrates Nisar Bazmi’s 100th birth anniversary today

Karachi: Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi will celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary musician, Nisar Bazmi. A special event will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 6: 30 PM at the Haseena Moin Hall, 1st Floor, Ahmed Shah Building, where the life and legacy of the maestro will be celebrated, said a press release issued here Friday.

The evening will also feature the book launch of "Kon Yaadon Ko Zanjeer Pehnayega" by Tanveer Ahmed Afridi, which is about Nisar Bazmi's remarkable journey. The event will be graced by the presence of renowned personalities from the music and entertainment industry, including Ikhlaq Bashir, Humaira Channa, Tanveer, Roz Mary, Waheed Khayal, Arusa Ali, Faisal Latif, Shabana Qaiser, Sadaf Muneer, Zubair Yousafi, and Arif Ansari, who will add to the charm of the evening with their performances.

In addition, the event will be attended by President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Mohammad Ahmed Shah, and well-known actor Mustafa Qureshi, alongside other notable figures from the film and showbiz industry.

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Govt taking decisions to increase productivity in every sector: Pervaiz Malik


Islamabad: Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik on Friday said that government under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif, is taking hard decisions to increase productivity in every sector. We are working on energy sector to reduce power tariff so that industrial sector could produce more results in near future, he said while talking to state news channel.



The focus has also been given to control power theft in different parts of the provinces, he said adding that improvement is being made in transmission lines to avoid losses. The government is determined to bring reforms in the expenditure side, he said. Increasing exports and expanding tax-network are also the priorities set by the government, he added.



In reply to a question about privatization, he said participation of the private sector could help speed up the process of privatization. All out efforts are being made to achieve objectives in the privatization sector, he said adding that right sizing of some institutions are also in progress. To a question, he said, political stability is vital to achieve targets set by the government for ‘Orann Pakistan’.



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STEVTA to upgrade 30 institutes as model training institutes across Sindh


Karachi: Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) in an important meeting has formally decided to designate five institutions from each of the six divisions in the province as model institutes.



Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh, who is the Chairperson of STEVTA, Junaid Buland, chaired the meeting with senior officials of the authority held at STEVTA’s headquarters here, said a statement on Friday.



Munawar Ali Mithani, Managing Director of STEVTA, Zulfiqar Jatoi, Director of Human Resources, and Yusuf Baloch, Director of Academics and Training also attended the meeting.



Junaid Buland said that the selected institutions will now become part of the Sindh government’s comprehensive strategy to increase technical and vocational training opportunities for the youth of the province.



He said that these institutes will provide vital training to young people in fields such as engineering, IT, and other key areas.



He said that this initiative aims to raise educational standards and meet the growing demand for skilled youth in key industries.



“This step is crucial in equipping our youth with the necessary skills to succeed in today’s job market. The leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party has always strived to improve the economy of Sindh, and it is Bilawal Bhutto’s vision to skill our youth.



He said that we are committed to modernizing these institutions, upgrading their infrastructure, and ensuring that they provide training tailored to industry needs.”



Junaid Buland further mentioned that new courses would also be introduced as part of the initiative to establish 30 model institutes, which would align with the demands of current industries.



“We are not just focusing on the buildings, but also updating teaching methods and resources to ensure these institutes provide high-quality vocational education,” he stated.



He said that this initiative also includes establishing relationships with local industries to create apprenticeship programs and better employment opportunities for graduate students.



In addition to infrastructure development, the transformation of these training institutes into model institutes is expected to have a significant impact on the economic development of youth of Sindh, he said.



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Azma Bokhari criticises PTI, highlights govt’s achievements

Lahore: Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of relying on lies to gain attraction.

She said that this strategy negatively impacts vulnerable children who fall prey to their false propaganda. Bokhari emphasized that rioters should face no leniency and must be held accountable for their actions.

The minister also outlined several key initiatives under the Punjab government, including a project aimed at providing solar systems to 100,000 people in the province. With an investment of 10 billion rupees, the initiative's full financial plan is already in place. However, consumers with faulty meters or those involved in electricity theft are excluded from this scheme, as are defaulters.

Bokhari highlighted the government's success in tackling inflation, noting that it has now dropped to 4%. She credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz for their roles in this achievement. "Our government hasn't just complained about inflation; we've actively worked to reduce it," she said. She also underscored that the leadership prioritizes merit, stating, "Our leadership has the word 'merit' in its dictionary."

During the press conference at the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR), Bokhari mentioned that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launches a new programme every week, ensuring that the province's initiatives are not merely replicas of other regions. The Punjab government is also moving towards solarizing 8,000 electricity-operated tube wells, with a budget of 2.5 billion rupees allocated for the project, she added.

In addition, she shared positive developments in the agriculture sector, particularly in shrimp farming. A 100-acre shrimp farm in Muzaffargarh is now operational, capable of producing shrimp twice a year. To date, the farm has produced 120 metric tons of shrimp, which has been exported to various countries, she added.

Bokhari also reiterated her concern over the children involved in the May 9 chaos, urging that those who have been released from jail and are preparing to repeat such incidents should face strict consequences. "They should not be pardoned under any circumstances," she asserted, stressing that any form of relief would be denied to them in the future.

Further criticizing PTI, Bokhari claimed that its members are "experts in lying" and "habitual of speaking lies without any shame." She accused PTI founder of spreading rumors while incarcerated.

Concluding her remarks, she assured the public that the Punjab government has established an effective department to monitor and control the prices of essential goods. "In Punjab, any increase in the prices of food items is unacceptable," she stated firmly.