Daily Balochistan Times

Lahore: Punjab Home Department identified several fake and bogus arms license dealers and weapons repairers, imposing a ban on their operations. Legal action was initiated under the Punjab Arms Ordinance 1965, with cases filed against those involved.

A spokesperson to the Home Department said here on Thursday that following the directive of Punjab Home Secretary Noor-ul-Ameen Mengal, a list of illegal arms dealers and repairers had been released, including their addresses.

Among the identified bogus arms dealers were National Rifles Company (Johar Town Lahore), MS Mokal Arms Company (Begum Kot Shahdara Lahore), English Arms Company (Neela Gumbad Lahore), Outdoor Sports Arms and Ammunition Dealer (Mazang Chungi Lahore), Mohammad Akhtar Property Pak Arms Store (Shahdara Lahore), Akhtar Brothers Arms and Ammunition (Manawan Lahore), Ameen Brothers Arms and Ammunition (Ravi Road Lahore), Elle Brothers and Company (McLeod Road Lahore), MS Shahbaz Mohiuddin Arms and Ammunition (Neela Gumbad Lahore), Omega Enterprises and Company (Gulberg Lahore), Mohammad Zia al-Mustafa Arms and Ammunition (Gujrat), and Ilyas and Company (Bhimber Road Gujrat).

Similarly, among the fake arms repairers were AA Arms Repairing Workshop (Gulberg Main Boulevard Lahore), English Arms Company (Neela Gumbad Lahore), Ameen Ali Zafar (Lower Mall Lahore), Qasim Arms and Ammunition Dealers Repairing Workshop (GT Road Shahdara Lahore), Outdoor Sports Arms and Ammunition Dealer (Mazang Chungi Lahore), Elle Brothers and Company Arms Repairing Workshop (McLeod Road Lahore), and Mohammad Sufian Repairing Workshop (Sheikhupura).

Home Secretary Noor-ul-Ameen Mengal emphasized that any transactions involving arms from these individuals would be deemed illegal, and strict legal action would be taken against all parties involved. "We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against fake arms licenses and dealers," he said.

The Home Department was also conducting a comprehensive verification of all arms dealers and repairers across the province, Mengal added.

He further urged citizens to report any involvement in the fake arms trade by contacting the department's toll-free helpline at 0800-11111.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Health and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management, Khawaja Salman Rafique, stated that all necessary resources have been provided to the Murree district administration to manage any weather-related challenges. The directives have been issued under the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

He, along with Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir and Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat, chaired a meeting on Thursday to assess the preparedness. Director General PDMA, Irfan Ali Kathia, presented a detailed briefing on a four-point agenda during the session.

The Health minister highlighted the establishment of 13 facilitation centers in Murree to assist tourists and directed the PDMA to provide advance alerts and awareness regarding weather conditions. The meeting also reviewed an integrated system for traffic management, monitoring, and reporting. Commissioner Rawalpindi and DC Murree briefed attendees on arrangements in the region.

The ministers later visited the PDMA control room to oversee the preparations. A grant of Rs 25 million was approved for strengthening and constructing protective embankments on Gashkori and Lala Creek in Layyah to prevent river erosion. Measures were also approved to combat river erosion in Basti Haveli Manik, Chak Chot, and Basti Makhdoom. Additionally, Rs 18 million was sanctioned for relief to 2023 flood victims in Kasur.

During the session, the Annual Winter Emergency Plan 2024 was carefully reviewed. In light of expected snowfall in Murree, a grant of Rs 10 million was allocated for emergency measures.

DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia emphasized raising awareness among tourists through print, electronic, and social media.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Rescue Emergency Services, and commissioners from Rawalpindi, Kasur, Layyah, and Khushab, some via video link. Representatives from various departments, including Irrigation, Local Government, Housing and Urban Development, Livestock, and Emergency Services, also participated.

Lahore: The newly-elected President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Arif Saeed has vowed to gear up efforts for the revival of international sports in the country and improve country soft image globally though sports. Chairing the executive committee meeting of the POA here on Thursday, he stressed the need for restoring the trust of international sports community through consolidated efforts, adding that he would foster harmonious relations with all stake-holders including Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for revitalizing sports sector in the country. 'Pakistan held world titles in sports like cricket, hockey, snooker and squash during its heyday but ups and downs are natural part of sports as no one remains at the top forever,' President Arif Saeed remarked, adding continuous efforts were needed to improve.

He also emphasized his commitment to put up efforts so that sports and athletes get due recognition in the country. Urging the office bearers of various sports federations, the POA President invited proposals for promoting sports at national and international levels within the first 100 days, adding that their proposals would be key to outlining actionable steps for the advancement and development of sports in Pakistan. He said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was actively supporting well-being of athletes worldwide, and similarly, the POA and National Sports Federations (NSFs) should strive to do the same. He stressed the need for benefit from and learn from the programs offered by the IOC and International Sports Federations. The meeting was attended by POA Secretary General Muhammad Khalid Mahmood, Vice Presidents Maj (R) Majid Wasim and Andleeb Sandhu, Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association of Pakistan Javed Lodhi, President of the Softball Federation of Pakistan Asif Azeem, and Secretary General of the Islamabad Olympic Association Rizwan ul Haq Razi.