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Tag: Punjab government

  • Back to 2020? Markets, restaurants to be closed by 10pm

    Back to 2020? Markets, restaurants to be closed by 10pm

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued orders to close markets and restaurants in Lahore by 10pm in order to control the worsening smog in the city.

    The court gave out its ruling after a hearing on a petition seeking the court’s intervention to curb smog. According to the orders, the closure of markets and restaurants by 10pm will be enforced on weekdays.

    On weekends, however, restaurants will be allowed to close at 11pm. Although it has been suggested that markets should remain closed on Sundays but the suggestion has been put off for now.

    Regarding schools, the court said that schools that remained open on Fridays will be sealed and directed the education department to strictly implement its orders.

    Last week, the Punjab Government ordered closure of schools in the provincial capital for three days a week— Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

    Pakistan’s biggest cities have ranked among the most polluted in the world for the past few weeks, with Lahore, the capital of Punjab, having topped the list the metropolises with the most polluted air several times in the last month.

  • Imran Khan to give date for dissolution of assemblies before December 20: Reports

    Imran Khan to give date for dissolution of assemblies before December 20: Reports

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in a consultative session with lawmakers from Bhakkar, Mianwali, Pakpattan and Sahiwal told them that the provincial assemblies being governed by his party will be dissolved this very month and the date of the dissolution will be made public prior to December 20.

    The PTI earlier gave a deadline of December 20 to the federal coalition government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to announce a date for general elections, otherwise, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab assemblies will be dissolved.

    In reply, the ruling coalition has told the PTI chairman to dissolve the assemblies.

    According to the media reports, Khan said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Qauid (PML-Q) is on the same page with the PTI on the issue of Punjab assembly’s dissolution.

    “The PML-Q is a vital ally. We have intimated them of our decision,” Imran Khan said.

    “Our politics is not above the country. This government has destroyed the national economy,” he maintained.

    Earlier, Senior Vice-President of PTI, Fawad Chaudhry, addressing the ruling coalition said, “Leaders of the imported government don’t want polls and they have no idea how to run the country.”

    “If PDM doesn’t bring a formula for holding general elections by December 20, the Punjab and KP assemblies will be dissolved,” Fawad said.

  • ‘Elections, appointment of new COAS, Punjab govt’: Sharif brothers discuss it all in London

    ‘Elections, appointment of new COAS, Punjab govt’: Sharif brothers discuss it all in London

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo, Nawaz Sharif, in London on Sunday, September 18.

    According to media reports, both brothers had a thorough discussion on various matters, ranging from a time frame of general elections, to the appointment of the next army chief and to the Punjab government.

    The Sharif brothers agreed that the present coalition government will complete its constitutional term. Despite being under pressure from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to announce snap polls, PML-N leadership decided that general elections “should be held at the stipulated time”.

    Both Nawaz and Shehbaz pondered over making changes to the Punjab government, and the name of former Chief Minister Punjab and son of Shehbaz, Hamza Shehbaz, among other possible candidates, was considered for the post of the province’s chief minister. The provincial capital of Lahore has been awash with rumors of a change within Punjab parliament that could derail PTI and PML-Q coalition government.

    The matter of important appoi­nt­ments due in November also came under discussion, including the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The current COAS, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, is due for retirement at the end of November this year.

    The Sharifs had a three-hour meeting at Hussain Nawaz’s office in Stanhope House. The meeting, the brothers’ second in London since Shehbaz became PM, was also attended by former finance minister Ishaq Dar and Shehbaz’s son Suleman.

    According to reports, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb did not participate in the meeting.

  • ‘Pervaiz Elahi and Punjab government being controlled through remote control from Bani Gala’: Tarar

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Punjab government that “all of you” will be arrested if a single PML-N worker is sent behind bars.

    Tarar, who was speaking to the media, warned Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Pervaiz Elahi’s government that they “will face the consequences of the trend of revenge they had set”.

    “Pervaiz Elahi sahib, you and your son (Moonis Elahi) will face the consequences of this new trend that you have set,” warned Tarar, claiming that Moonis had been issuing instructions for action against PML-N leaders despite not having any official authority.

    “Pervaiz Elahi and his Punjab government are being controlled through remote control from Bani Gala. This is his old habit. For God’s sake, stop this, the country has already borne much loss.”

    He also linked the action against his party’s members to the “promotion of an anti-state narrative”, alluding to PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s remarks against institutions.

    Tarar alleged that CM Elahi had “fully facilitated [former Prime Minister] Imran Khan in promoting this anti-state narrative”, adding that Elahi was “at the forefront of exacting revenge from us”.

    He went on to claim that Elahi and Moonis had directed jail officials not to hand over Gill to Islamabad police even when the court had approved his remand in police custody.

    Court issues arrest warrants for Ata Tarar, 11 other PML-N leaders

    A judicial magistrate Friday, August 19, issued the arrest warrants for a dozen PML-N leaders, including prime minister’s special assistant Atta Tarar, in relation to a ruckus created at the Punjab Assembly.

    A case was registered against the PML-N leaders over the ruckus which took place in April during the chief minister’s election — when Hamza Shehbaz was elected to the top office.

  • Signing of declaration of finality of Prophethood (PBUH) for nikkah made mandatory in Punjab

    Signing of declaration of finality of Prophethood (PBUH) for nikkah made mandatory in Punjab

    The Punjab local government and community development department has issued updated Form-II of nikkahnama that makes it mandatory for the bride and groom to sign declaration on the belief of finality of Prophethood (PBUH) with immediate effect.

    The notification directs all the secretaries of union councils to provide the amended nikkahnama containing the declaration of finality of Prophethood (PBUH) to all nikkah registrars.

    The law states, “If any person to whom a licence has been granted under this rule contravenes any of the conditions of such license, he shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees or with both.”

    If a nikkah registrar does not use the updated Form-II, a disciplinary action will be taken against the concerned UC secretary.

    The Punjab cabinet approved the amendment in March this year. The amendment was approved in the 51st provincial meeting of former chief minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar’s cabinet.

  • ‘Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega’: Imran Khan

    ‘Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he knows the names of those who were involved in the conspiracy to oust his government but said he is quiet for the sake of the country as he doesn’t want to harm Pakistan.

    Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Khan claimed that he has recorded a video that involves information about those who have committed “treason”. He said, “Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega“, (I have recorded a video. If something happens to me, it will be made public). He added that if “they keep sidelining and harassing us, I will tell everything”.

    About the cases registered against Khan and his party members, he said this is being done to “shut them up”.

    “I have never seen such fascism in Pakistan, such a situation is leading Pakistan towards anarchy,” he said. Khan further added that the government can control the media but not social media. “Everyone has a voice now.”

    Khan also condemned the recent incidents of attacks on journalists. He posed a question, ” I ask the judiciary, has martial law been imposed? I ask them whether human rights have been suspended in the country?” Khan said that terrorism cases have been registered against them to keep them quiet.

    Criticising the incumbent government, the PTI Chairman said, “They will accept Israel as a state, will provide Pakistan’s bases to the United States, and will discard the Kashmiri people to establish better relations with India.”

    Moreover, Khan urged the public to come out to vote on July 17 in the Punjab by-elections. “PTI has to win the by-elections despite the election rigging,” adding that this is “jihad ” for the country.

    Khan said that Pakistan can only be saved from this crisis through transparent elections while saying that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot be trusted.

  • Punjab govt announces exams schedule and summer vacations

    Punjab govt announces exams schedule and summer vacations

    The Punjab Education Department has announced the examination schedule and summer vacations on Monday. As per the notification, a new academic session 2022-2023 will commence from August 1.

    According to the notification, the examinations for classes 1-8 will be held in the month of May while students will get two months of summer vacations from June 1 to July 31.

    Similarly, the Sindh Education Department has also announced a new academic session from August 1.

    The provincial department also agreed to hold an annual examination of elementary classes (4-8) on May 2. The matriculation examination will be conducted from May 17 and the result will be announced on July 17.

    The examinations for intermediate will begin on June 15, 2022. The admission for Higher Secondary School will begin from July 1 to 31.

    The Sindh education steering committee announced the examination pattern, which will contain 40% Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and 60% of detailed questions.

  • Couples will have to testify their belief in the finality of Prophethood (PBUH) before marriage: Punjab cabinet

    Couples will have to testify their belief in the finality of Prophethood (PBUH) before marriage: Punjab cabinet

    The Punjab cabinet has approved an amendment to the West Pakistan Rules under Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 and has included a new clause according to which couples planning to marry would have to take oath at the moment of nikkah to testify to their belief in the finality of Prophethood (PBUH).

    The amendment was approved in the 51st provincial cabinet meeting. The cabinet met with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

    In October 2021, the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to include ‘finality of Prophethood’ in the Nikkahnama (Marriage Certificate). The resolution was jointly tabled by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Khadija Omar, Bismillah Chaudhry, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Maulana Ilyas Chinioti.

  • Supreme Court allows government to continue Ravi riverfront project

    Supreme Court allows government to continue Ravi riverfront project

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday suspended the ruling of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in the Ravi Urban Development Plan case and allowed the Punjab government to continue work on the project, reports The Express Tribune.

    The bench was hearing appeals against the annulment of the project, earlier declared “unconstitutional” by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on January 25 as the project lacked a master plan.

    The court allowed the provincial government to continue construction activity on plots of land for which dues have been cleared. However, the apex court restricted the Punjab government from continuing construction activity on plots for which dues are still pending.

    During today’s hearing, notices were also issued to the respondents in the case and stated that a review will be done to determine if it constitutes an intra-court appeal. If it is an intra-court appeal, the case will be referred back to the LHC, added to the bench.

    Earlier in the hearing, the apex court reprimanded the legal team of the Punjab government for appearing before the bench in the case unprepared.

    “You do not know what the case is?” asked Justice Ijazul Ahsan when AGP Owais was unable to answer the question. “It seems that you have not prepared.”

    The Punjab AGP replied that the provincial government was not a party to the case in the high court’s verdict. “Not being party to one of 18 petitions does not matter,” Justice Ahsan remarked, adding that the Punjab government had presented its position in the high court.

    The petitions were against the public hearing of the environment agency, AGP Punjab stated further.

    The justice replied that according to the records, acquisition of lands for the project was also challenged and added that the provincial government’s legal team should not misrepresent in court.

    Last week, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the government would move to the Supreme Court after LHC nullified the Ravi Urban Development Project.

    The prime minister during his visit to Rakh Jhok forest said that the case would be presented in a better manner to appraise the court about the significance of the project in view of urban development and civic facilities, further saying that the case was not presented correctly in LHC.

  • 4 crore 91 lakh to be spent on Usman Buzdar’s office

    4 crore 91 lakh to be spent on Usman Buzdar’s office

    A hefty amount is to be spent on the renovation of Chief Minister Pubjab (CM) Usman Buzdar’s office, reports Dunya. A total of 4 crore and 91 lakh will be spent on Chief Minister’s office. In addition the offices of the staff appointed to him will also be renovated.

    CM’s office will have new air-conditioners and new carpets. In addition, the funds will also be spent to buy historic paintings for the office.

    As per the Punjab Revenue Department, The Communication and Construction Department has made an estimate and requested the release of funds from the Revenue Department. A summary has been sent to the Standing Cabinet Committee on Finance for the release of the supplementary grant. The funds will be issued after the approval of Cabinet.

    The additional grant required to meet the required expenditure of the government is called a supplementary grant.

    In January 2020, the Chief Minister’s office shared comparative details of expenditure claiming that Usman Buzdar had set an example of austerity by curtailing spending under different heads.

    Read more- Punjab Govt to buy 46 new cars for ministers

    Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in a statement said that the austerity policy was being strictly followed by the Punjab government. “Unnecessary expenditures are against public interest and a new tradition has been set by curtailing expenditures.”

    Earlier, this month Punjab government issued a formal order for the purchase of 46 new cars for provincial ministers and will make an advance payment to a car manufacturer in this regard. The Cabinet Committee has approved payment for purchasing news cars.