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Commissioner reviews progress on development schemes

Sargodha: A meeting chaired by Commissioner Sargodha Division Jahanzeb Awan reviewed progress on new and ongoing schemes under the Local Government and Community Development (LG and CD) Department in the division's four districts on Thursday.

The briefing was attended by Director Development Bilal Hassan and Executive Engineer Local Government Mian Shaukat Ali. The meeting was informed that work was in progress on 273 schemes with an estimated cost of Rs. 3.36 billion. Those include 262 new schemes, seven under the Annual Development Programme, and four ongoing projects.

Under the Chief Minister Punjab's Special Development Program, 50% of funds were released for 251 schemes, and 26% of the work was completed. Sargodha Division ranks second across the province in completing LG and CD projects. The schemes include 231 in Sargodha, 17 in Khushab, and three in Bhakkar.

The commissioner also announced plans to convene a meeting to evaluate progress on the Chief Minister's Special Development Program in other departments.

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Mayor orders suspension of Deputy Director on negligence of development work

Karachi: Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed displeasure over the lack of progress on the development work at Sangam Cricket Ground in Federal B Area and ordered the suspension of the concerned Deputy Director.

He stated that those hindering Karachi's development would not be tolerated, he made these remarks during a visit to Sangam Cricket Ground in the Federal B Area on Thursday.

He said that the development in Karachi is progressing robustly, and parks and sports grounds created for public convenience will be restored and improved at all costs.

He emphasized that the new year is the year of Karachi's development, and efforts will be made to restore the city's lights, colors, aspirations, and hopes.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab, stated that development work under the ADP scheme should have commenced at Sangam Cricket Ground, which would have provided opportunities for youth to engage in sports activities and encouraged talented players at the local level.

He further noted that sports activities are being promoted at the grassroots level in Karachi, and the restoration of open spaces and parks aims to provide better and higher-quality recreational facilities to the public. Development projects are ongoing at an equal pace in all districts of Karachi, and the city's basic infrastructure is being enhanced through an effective strategy, he added.

He assured that even more comprehensive development work will be carried out in Karachi during the new year.

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Mayor orders suspension of Deputy Director on negligence of development work

Karachi: Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed displeasure over the lack of progress on the development work at Sangam Cricket Ground in Federal B Area and ordered the suspension of the concerned Deputy Director.

He stated that those hindering Karachi's development would not be tolerated, he made these remarks during a visit to Sangam Cricket Ground in the Federal B Area on Thursday.

He said that the development in Karachi is progressing robustly, and parks and sports grounds created for public convenience will be restored and improved at all costs.

He emphasized that the new year is the year of Karachi's development, and efforts will be made to restore the city's lights, colors, aspirations, and hopes.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab, stated that development work under the ADP scheme should have commenced at Sangam Cricket Ground, which would have provided opportunities for youth to engage in sports activities and encouraged talented players at the local level.

He further noted that sports activities are being promoted at the grassroots level in Karachi, and the restoration of open spaces and parks aims to provide better and higher-quality recreational facilities to the public. Development projects are ongoing at an equal pace in all districts of Karachi, and the city's basic infrastructure is being enhanced through an effective strategy, he added.

He assured that even more comprehensive development work will be carried out in Karachi during the new year.

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Hardware and Software Exhibition held at SZABIST University Larkana Campus


Larkana: Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) University Larkana Campus welcomed the new year with the highly anticipated Hardware and Software Exhibition on Thursday.



This exciting event, inaugurated by Dr. Zahida Abro, Head of SZABIST University Campus Larkana featured cutting-edge technological innovations from the university’s Computer Science students.



Dr. Zahida Abro praised the students for their ingenuity and commitment. “It is inspiring to see how our students are not just developing technology for the sake of innovation but are working on projects that have the potential to solve real-world problems”.



She added that the projects on display today are just the beginning, our students have the potential to create technologies that will shape the future. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in the world, she added



She said that this year’s exhibition presented a dynamic array of projects that integrated both hardware and software solutions to address pressing challenges in various sectors, including healthcare, education, mental health, and hospitality.



The event underscored the innovative potential of the students at SZABIST and showcased their ability.



Dr. Jalil Ahmed Thebo emphasized the importance of industry-academia partnerships, saying, “This event is an excellent platform to bridge the gap between students and the industry. The projects presented today show that SZABIST students are not only equipped with technical skills but also with the creativity and problem-solving abilities that are critical in today’s fast-paced world.”



He said, SZABIST University Larkana Campus is dedicated to providing an environment that nurtures creativity and excellence. With a strong focus on technology, business, and social sciences, the university strives to equip its students with the skills and knowledge they need to become leaders in their respective fields.



The students themselves were excited to showcase their projects and share their experiences with attendees.



Sarang Zameer, co-creator of the Rubrics-based Question Paper Generation System, shared, “It feels great to see our hard work come to fruition. This system can make a real difference for schools, simplifying the process of creating question papers while maintaining fairness and consistency.”



Hamza Ansari, developer of the FoodEase platform, highlighted the importance of promoting local businesses. “Our goal is to support small businesses and offer a user-friendly platform for customers to easily access homemade food and nutritious options.”



Jai Kumar and Suman Surahio, creators of the Pre-Diabetic Detection System, explained the potential impact of their project: “This system could be a game-changer in preventing diabetes by providing early warnings. The fact that it supports both English and Sindhi makes it accessible to a wider audience.”



The exhibition drew a large audience including Dr. Mumtaz Mahar, Head of the Computer Science Department, PM Abdul Khaliq Metlo, Miss Sana, Miss Khushbo, Dr. Aslam Kambho, Muhammad Bux, Nasrullah Bhutto, and key members of the Management Administration, including Dr. Jalil Ahmed Thebo, Mudasir, Danyal Mustafa, and Dr. Fawad and large number of the students.



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Punjab Comedy Theater workshop in full swing at Alhamra

Lahore: The Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts was hosting a one-month-long Punjabi Comedy Theater workshop featuring the prominent comedian Iftikhar Thakur and the famous writer-director Qaiser Javed.

The workshop, which will conclude on January 11, aimed to equip budding artists with the skills to carve a successful career in Punjabi theater comedy.

The workshop had garnered significant participation from young artists eager to excel in the genre. It provides them invaluable opportunities to master the art of comedy under the expert guidance of industry veterans.

Highlighting the initiative's significance, Alhamra's Executive Director, Tauqeer Haider Kazmi, underscored the value of quality comedy, said, 'Humor of high caliber profoundly influences human disposition. Comedy plays hold immense appeal among audiences, and the workshop addresses a critical need for structured training in the genre. The remarkable contributions of Iftikhar Thakur and Qaiser Javed set a benchmark for excellence in this endeavour.'

Qaiser Javed elaborated on the workshop's focus, highlighting the rigorous training in body language, voice modulation and other essential skills imparted to participants. He noted that young artists adopt these techniques with remarkable enthusiasm and dedication.

Adding to the workshop's vibrancy, Iftikhar Thakur remarked, 'Comedy is an art that entertains and connects hearts. It is heartening to see the passion and talent of these young artists; they truly are the future of Punjabi theater.'

The workshop continues to build a promising foundation for emerging talent, ensuring that the rich tradition of Punjabi theater comedy thrives for generations to come.

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Chairman CDA reviews progress on parking plaza at blue area

Islamabad:: A review meeting regarding the Parking Plaza at Blue Area was held under the chairmanship of CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa here on Thursday.

The CDA members and the relevant senior officers participated in the session. During the meeting, Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa was briefed that the structural construction of the Blue Area Parking Plaza has been completed.

The plaza will have the capacity to accommodate approximately 1,000 vehicles.The facility includes two basements, a ground floor, and five additional floors.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa was further briefed that the parking plaza will feature 64 shops, an open-air rooftop restaurant, and a caf©. In addition, the plaza will house a cinema to cater to the recreational needs of citizens.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa directed that options for creating a vertical garden on the fa§ade should be explored to make the structure more visually appealing.

He emphasized the need for a well-structured business model to ensure the plaza is fully functional and contributes effectively to revenue generation.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa directed the installation of digital and 3D SMD screens within the parking plaza. The engineering wing was tasked with completing all finishing work, including the installation of lifts and electrical systems, at the earliest.

Chairman CDA reiterated that every part of the parking plaza should be utilized efficiently to maximize its potential and serve the needs of the public for parking effectively.