Highlights

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22/04/24

“The Punjab Government has started implementing an Environment-Friendly Grand Plan before the 'Earth Day',” said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her message on ‘Earth Day 2024.’ She added,” Earth Day is being celebrated in Punjab at divisional and district levels.” Madam Chief Minister highlighted,” ‘No to Plastic’ campaign has been started today. The use of plastic bags will be banned across Punjab from June 5. 'No to plastic' messages are being released on Earth Day, and a special campaign has been launched on the national and social media in this regard.”

Madam Chief Minister appealed to all people, including shopkeepers, shopping malls, restaurants, and ovens to support the campaign of not using plastic bags, to improve human health and to contribute to the elimination of smog. She said,” Do not use plastic bags and other plastic items, especially food and drinking utensils in homes.”

Madam Chief Minister also requested the citizens and media to highlight the important issue of the protection of environment and human health, and help make this campaign successful. She highlighted,” Special lectures and training workshops are being organized for the students and educational institutions for environmental improvement on Earth Day, besides the inclusion of relevant subjects in the curriculum.”

Madam Chief Minister explained,” We have started implementing historic measures to make Punjab greener, free from smog and toxic fumes, in order to improve human health and overall living conditions.” She added,” Earth is home to humans and animals in the universe. Therefore, everyone must work together to protect and improve its environment.”

Madam Chief Minister said,” Global warming, increase in toxic gasses and other pollutants, deforestation and land erosion are major threats to the planet. 'Earth Day' is a day to raise awareness that if earth is destroyed, neither man nor anything else will survive.” She highlighted,” Every citizen can extend the life of earth by planting a tree, and not using shopping bags.”

Madam Chief Minister lamented,” The toxic smoke produced by burning plastic bags and other items is spreading cancer and other diseases. Industrial toxins are poisoning our water, causing stomach, liver and kidney diseases.” She said,” Improving the environment like new hospitals and treatment facilities, and the largest plantation drive in Punjab's history are part of the Government's efforts to protect and improve human health and life.”

The Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,” On 'Earth Day', the most historic eco-friendly initiatives in the history of Punjab have been launched.” She said,” Using electric buses, eco-friendly fuel, modern technology and machinery will solve environmental problems.”

 

22/04/24

“Thanks to Virtual Women Police Station, women will not have to go round the police station unnecessarily,” said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif while inaugurating Pakistan’s first virtual women police station "Meri Awaz…Maryam Nawaz" in Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA). She added, “The Virtual Women Police Station will guide women through all stages of the crime, from registration of FIR to its investigation and trial.”

Madam Chief Minister said, “Women can contact police through 15 Call, Women Safety App live chat feature, video call feature, Punjab Police App and Safe City web portal.” She highlighted,”In the virtual women police station, all problems faced by women including harassment will be solved on priority basis.”

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif explained,”In Virtual Women Police Station, a woman can share her problem with complete privacy and confidence without revealing her name and address.” She added,”Live video call feature has also been introduced in the Virtual Women Police Station. Women can also point out their problems including their location through the video call feature.”

IT Graduate Women Police Communication Officers have been posted in the Virtual Women Police Station to facilitate women complainants.

On special instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, 100 modern emergency panic 15 buttons have also been installed in Lahore. Madam Chief Minister said,”Panic buttons installed in universities and colleges, markets, intersections and bazaars can be connected to Safe City immediately by pressing them.” She added,”Complaint mechanism against crimes, police officers and officials on IG 1787 has also been made operational. Complaints on 1787-Helpline and Safe City Authority Web Portal can be made anonymously.”

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited and observed the Virtual Women Police Station, and discussed with the Women Communication Police Officer. She also directed for the early completion of the hostel and day care center for women officers. She was also given a detailed briefing on different projects of The Punjab Safe Cities Authority on the occasion.

Madam Maryam Nawaz Sharif also launched "CM Maryam Nawaz Free Wi-Fi" service at more than 50 locations across Lahore.

Earlier, Madam Chief Minister was briefed by the authorities concerned that for the first time in South Asia, 19 traffic violations are being challaned in Lahore using artificial intelligence.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bukhari, Senator Pervaiz  Rashid, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police and other relevant officers were present on the occasion.

22/04/24

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a special meeting on “Light without Electricity Bill: Chief Minister’s Roshan Punjab Program” to have a detailed briefing on technical issues of 1 kilowatt solar system for the domestic consumers. She said,” Roshan Punjab Program aims to free the poor man from expensive electricity.”

Approving the grant of 1KV solar systems to 50,000 households in Punjab, Madam Chief Minister directed to start the pilot project immediately, in order to evaluate their efficiency. She said,” Protected consumers consuming up to 100 units of electricity will be eligible under the Program in the first phase.” She added,” In 1 KV system, two solar panels, battery, inverter, and wires will be provided to the consumer.”

Earlier, Madam Chief Minister was briefed that 1 KV solar system can run fans, lights, small motors etc. Up to 16 hours of charging backup can be achieved through the lithium iron battery. Madam Chief Minister directed to install the solar system of the latest technology. She emphasized on the need to use the best quality solar plates, inverter, batteries and other accessories. Madam Chief Minister said,” The scope of solar systems for domestic consumers will be extended gradually.”

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, Secretaries Energy, Finance, Chief Executive Officer PPDCL, Managing Director PPDB and other relevant officers attended the meeting.

19/04/24

On the directives of the Chief Minister Punjab, the authorities are ensuring implementation of the cut in the price of Roti across the province, and 817 people were arrested, 347 cases were registered and fines of more than Rs. 11.7 million were imposed for overcharging during the last five days.

The report regarding the actions was presented during the meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman, at the Civil Secretariat. The administrative secretaries of industries and food departments, Chairman PITB and officers concerned attended the meeting while all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated through video link.

The Chief Secretary said that the reduction in the price of Roti is a great initiative of the Punjab government to provide relief to the people, adding that the availability at new rates would be ensured in any case. He mentioned that the new price of Roti was fixed, keeping in mind the cut in the price of flour and other expenses, adding that there is no justification for selling at a higher price. He directed that Price Control Magistrates must remain active in the field for monitoring the rates.

The secretary industries gave a detailed briefing at the meeting. He said that so far more than 22,000 ‘Tandoors’ have been inspected and 94 of them have been sealed. In 10 districts including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, the price of Roti has been fixed at Rs. 16, while its price has been fixed at Rs 15 in 26 districts. He maintained that the price of Roti in DG Khan and Rajanpur has been set at Rs. 13 while it has been fixed at Rs. 12 in Muzaffargarh and Kot Addu. He further stated that as per the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, banners showing new price of Roti have been displayed at ‘Tandoors’ and in case of overcharging the citizens can lodge complaints on the Qeemat Punjab App or complaint cell No. 08000-2345.

18/04/24

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited Zero Line Kartarpur Sharif In Kheti Sahib to officially inaugurate ‘Besakhi’ by harvesting the golden crop of wheat with a golden sickle. She expressed happiness on the honor of harvesting in Baba Gurunanak’s field. 

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited Pak Darshan Deodhi. Sikh pilgrims welcomed Madam Chief Minister on reaching Pak Darshan. Sikh women warmly greeted Madam Chief Minister with folded hands. Sikh youths performed traditional gatka. Madam Chief Minister also visited Sarovar (Holy Pond), Samadhi (Prayer Hall), Guru Ghar and had darshan of Sangat.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was briefed about the Facilitation Center. Indian Sikh Jatha leader appreciated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's initiatives and arrangements. He thanked her for the love and care, and said,”We all are proud of daughter of Punjab becoming the Chief Minister.” President Delhi Goroband Committee Raminder Singh Bumrah draped Sarupa (shawl) on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Diljit Singh Sarnan presented Kirpan and other gifts to Madam Chief Minister. Sarupa (Shawl) and gifts were also presented to Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

At Samadhi, the granthi head started the ceremony with a prayer. Provincial Minister for Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora welcomed the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif greeted the Sikh delegation

and inspected the holy well. She also visited the Sikh Art Gallery.

Madam Chief Minister sat and ate food with the pilgrims at the Sikh Langar Hall. She was entertained with boiled rice, curry pakoras, groundnut dal, sweet rice, roti and pickles. Madam Chief Minister appreciated the quality of food, and interacted with the pilgrims in the Langar Hall. She also invited Sikh pilgrims to visit Punjab.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Ministers, Ramesh Singh Arora, Bilal Akbar, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, MNA Anwarul Haq, MPA Wasim Butt, Rana Manan, Secretary Tourism, Secretary Agriculture, Commissioner and other officials were present on the occasion.