Highlights

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06/06/23
Industries and Auqaf Departments Sign Agreement to Train Seminary Students
An agreement was formalized between the Industry and Commerce Department and the Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department in a signing ceremony held at Jama Masjid Data Darbar here today. The agreement was signed by Secretary Industry Ehsan Bhatta and Secretary Auqaf Tahir Raza Bukhari while Auqaf Minister Syed Azfar Ali Nasir was the chief guest.
In line with the essence of the agreement, the program aims to provide training to religious seminary students in computer applications, household item repairs, and spoken English. The initial phase will commence with technical training classes for 50 students from Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Hajveri Madrasa in Lahore.
Provincial Minister Syed Azfar Ali Nasir shed light on the government's groundbreaking initiative to empower students from religious schools with practical skills, a pioneering effort in the nation's history. This transformative program seeks to equip students with a balanced education encompassing religious teachings and technical proficiency, ultimately enabling them to secure honorable employment opportunities for themselves and their families. Emphasizing the significance of seizing this opportunity, he urged the students from seminaries to fully embrace the technical training facility to excel in all aspects of their lives. The collaborative effort between the Industry Department and the Auqaf Department in providing technical training is commendable, as expressed by the minister, who extended his heartfelt congratulations to the secretaries and officers of both departments. 
The ceremony also featured addresses from Secretary Industry Ehsan Bhatta, Secretary and DG Auqaf. Senior officials from both departments, representatives from religious institutions, and a large number of students attended the ceremony.
04/06/23
Office of The Ombudsman Punjab Provides Over 17.2 Million in Financial Relief to 60 Plaintiffs

The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab has swiftly responded to public relief requests, effectively resolving the issues faced by 60 individuals across various districts. These proactive efforts have resulted in a cumulative financial relief worth Rs.1,72,38,187 being extended to those in need.

According to a statement issued by a spokesman on Sunday, the University of Mianwali, on the direction of the provincial ombudsman, has disbursed Rs.92,82,843 to 52 students, including plaintiff Muhammad Hanzala Zubair, as outstanding amounts of their need-based scholarships. 

Additionally, the District Education Authority Chakwal has granted 2.2 million rupees as financial aid to complainant Haji Mehr Muhammad. In another case, the district administration Lodhran has provided employment dues worth Rs.1.9 million to Ayesha Mai, the widow of deceased Patwari Ghulam Murtaza, the spokesman added. 

In a separate instance, the administration of Ghazi University in Dera Ghazi Khan has refunded a security deposit amounting to Rs.17,70,824 to complainant Abdul Wahid. In a similar development, the agriculture department has distributed a total sum of Rs.12,53,070 to 21 farmers, including plaintiff Muhammad Abubakr from Rajanpur, as expenses for their demonstration plots.

As a result of the involvement of the ombudsman office, a new tubewell has been installed in the Singhar Town area of Rawalpindi with a cost of eight million rupees, ensuring access to clean drinking water for its residents, the spokesman further said.

Alongside this, Farzana Kanwal from Multan has been provided with a grant of Rs.8,31,450 by the Punjab Workers Welfare Board after the ombudsman office interceded to resolve her issue. A work order worth Rs.71,82,000 has also been issued for the repair and restoration of Fatomand Chowk in Gujranwala. 

In a commendable effort to enhance the living conditions of the residents, a street of Noori mohalla in Pakpattan has been rebuilt and paved with half a million rupees to ensure a cleaner environment for the residents, concluded the spokesman.
02/06/23
HSA-UK Mission Visits IPH

On the visit to Pakistan, the mission of the UK Health Security Agency paid a visit to the Institute of Public Health (IPH) and had a detailed discussion with Dean Professor Dr. Zarfashan Tahir and his technical team about creating a robust system using modern information technology in terms of disease prevention, detection and responded. The mission of UK-HSA included Dr. Mohammad Sartaj Country Head Pakistan, Dr. Paul Clearly Subject Specialist IT Based Interventions, Miss Chole Byer Subject Specialist Surveillance, Outbreak and Investigations. Director Health CDC Dr Yadullah, Punjab Health Advisor UK-HSA Dr Saeed Akhtar were also present on this occasion. Dr. Zarfashan said that Pakistan is the signatory of the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 under which it is our prime responsibility to strengthen various technical areas of the health sector and capacity building of staff should be done on modern lines and a comprehensive strategy of prevent, detect and respond should be adopted with reference to diseases so that epidemics can be prevented from spreading in a timely manner. Dr. Zarfashan further said that the Health Security Agency, U.K. is providing technical assistance to Pakistani institutions to strengthen the public health sector. Dr. Mohammad Sartaj country head UK Agency said that the Health Security Agency will provide technical support to IPH experts in environmental epidemiology and e-learning programs. Dr. Zarfashan said that this program will further extend   training opportunities to the students. The  Mission had a  detailed discussion with the technical team of the Institute of Public Health about the training program, IT solutions. The U.K. mission will also support the training and capacity building of IPH's public health experts and technical staff.

On this occasion, Dr. Zarfashan Tahir said that IPH provided lab test facility to thousands of patients during the corona outbreak last year and recently played an active role in monkeypox prevention and awareness. She added that the importance of the institute has also increased because the Institute of Public Health is the only public sector institution which is providing degree level capacity building and medical education to develop a pool of traind  health professionals to meet the shortage of traind health managers in the province. she further said that cooperation with Health Security Agency, U.K. will be further promote and advanced technology and international level expertise will be fully utilized so that the doctors and health professionals studying in the institute can get better educational and training facilities.

Dr. Zarfashan Tahir briefed the UK Mission about IPH educational and training program and the activities regarding prevention and control of diseases in the province.
01/06/23
Police Continues Intelligence Based Operations Against Organized Gangs Involved In Professional Begging

A crack down against the professional beggers in the provincial capital  is in progress and this campaign is continued under the special direction of Capital Police Officer Lahore, Bilal Siddique Kamyan.  Public shall get rid of this menace and it will bring  fruitful results  in the society. In a statement issued by the spokesperson of Lahore Police said that intelligence based operations in order to eliminate the organised gangs involved in begging is continued. 161 cases have been registered in various police stations in a special campaign launched against the begging during last month and 165 accused had been arrested which included 150 males , 14 females and one their facilitator. The spokesperson  while giving detail said that city division police  had registered 33, Cantt Police 22, Civil Lines Police 42, Saddar Police 19, Model Town 34 and Iqbal Town Division 11 cases against the people involved in getting the children and ladies begged on signals and  roundabouts of the Lahore City. However begging children were being handed over to the Child Protection Bureau besides sending the beggers addicted to the 'Begger Homes'.
31/05/23
Chairman ICC Visited PSCA and Expressed Satisfaction Over Security Arrangements for Asia Cup

A high-level security delegation of International Cricket Council (ECB) along with the representatives of Pakistan cricket board visited Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) headquarter at Qurban lines here on Wednesday to overview and assess the security arrangements for upcoming Asia Cup later this year. The International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation was led by the Chairman ICC Greg Barclay and Chief Executive officer Geoff Allardice accompanied him alongwith the representatives of Pakistan Cricket Board.

The Managing Director PSCA Muhammad Kamran khan gave a detailed briefing on the security camera surveillance and overall security arrangements outside and inside the Qaddafi stadium, airport, hotel, and on routes. Muhammad Kamran khan also briefed about the deployment of the police force and the support of law enforcement agencies on the fool-proof security. The ICC delegation watched surveillance videos of the security arrangement made for previous international matches in Pakistan. The Chairman and CEO ICC was impressed by the monitoring with the help of cameras and expressed satisfaction over the overall security arrangements.

During their visit, Chairman ICC Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Geoff Allardice also monitored routes through cameras installed throughout the city. Chairman ICC Greg Barclay stated that the infrastructure of Safe City Lahore is among the best systems in the world, I am delighted to be in Pakistan and witness firsthand the incredible passion that Pakistani cricket fans possess. The enthusiasm and love for the sport among the people of Pakistan is truly remarkable, said the Chairman ICC. The visit was concluded with the presentation of a souvenir shield to the delegation from the Punjab safe cities authority.