Current Final

Tag: Punjab

  • Lahore Police officials will now wear ‘body cams’ to fight crime

    Lahore Police officials will now wear ‘body cams’ to fight crime

    Lahore Police has planned to utilise Body Worn Cam at E-Police checkpoints on the entry and exit points of the provincial capital for the welfare of the public, according to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Wing Lahore Captain (retd) Mustansir Feroze. 

    He claimed that the Lahore Police Department’s plan will not only keep the city secure but also minimize citizen-police conflicts. He added that the interaction (audio and video) between police officers and civilians would also be recorded by the Body-Worn Cam.

    According to SSP Operations, this measure will aid in identifying criminals as well as eliminating terrorism. He claimed that this method would re-establish public trust in the police force, and also that citizens can lodge complaints on 1787.

    Read more: Islamabad Traffic Police intensifies crackdown against wrong parking

    Senior police officials will supervise the programme and would offer on-the-spot instructions to address the public’s complaints.

    Body cameras are already being used in a number of other nations, but they have never been deployed by police in Pakistan. This idea will undoubtedly aid higher-ranking Lahore police officials in combating crime and monitoring how officers perform throughout the day and their attitude toward civilians.

  • PTI’s Usman Dar arrested for planning jalsa on minority’s private property

    PTI’s Usman Dar arrested for planning jalsa on minority’s private property

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Usman Dar and other party members were arrested on Saturday after a police crackdown at the party’s rally venue in Sialkot.

    Dar shared a video on Twitter, saying he was speaking from a “prison van”. Others could also be seen with him.

    Dar said, “We will bear imprisonment but remain loyal to our leader Imran Khan. And listen closely, we will come out of the jails and again hold a rally in Sialkot. Our leader will again come to Sialkot. And under the leadership of Imran Khan, we will bury this imported government, these puppets of America forever.”

    Earlier, in the day police launched a crackdown on PTI’s activists and got the rally venue vacated after they tried to hold a public meeting at the CTI ground, a property belonging to the Christian community, without their consent. However, now the party has changed the venue to the public VIP Ground in Sialkot.

    The Christian community lodged a protest as PTI had not taken prior permission from them for the rally. When the police arrived to stop the arrangements, many PTI workers showed resistance, however police baton-charged and used tear gas to disperse PTI workers.

    Sialkot District Police Officer (DPO) Hasan Iqbal, who was present at the site, told reporters, “As you know we are right now standing on a ground that belongs to the Christian community. They had filed a writ [petition] in the high court, asking that no political rally be held on the grounds.”

    He added that the “political party’s leaders” sought permission to hold the rally but the Christian community refused. “Then we came here and told them that we can help you with regards to an alternative venue. What has happened after that is there for you to see,” he added.

    In a video, Iqbal can be heard talking to PTI members. He said, “No one is stopping you. This land is private. You didn’t take permission from them. Your party talks about rule of law. Does the law allow you to do a jalsa on this land without the Christian community’s consent?”

    “We have been trying to tell your this for two days. Try to understand it”, he added.

    Following the situation, former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan claimed, “What imported govt did in Sialkot against our leadership & workers is outrageous, but not unexpected. This bunch of criminals out on bail and their convict mafia boss in London have always used fascist tactics against opponents when they are in power.”

    In a press conference, Shafqat Mehmood, Ejaz Chaudhry, and Firdous Ashiq Awan blamed Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for the police action and urged the administration to release PTI leaders who have been arrested.

  • Heatwave intensifies, Disaster Management Authorities on high alert

    Heatwave intensifies, Disaster Management Authorities on high alert

    Keeping in view the meteorological department’s prognosis of a heatwave for the coming week, the Punjab government issued an advisory on Friday, requesting that all relevant ministries in the province take steps to mitigate the effects of the heat.

    The provincial and district crisis management agencies have been activated across the province to avert health-related occurrences, according to Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal, who issued an advisory to several ministries.

    Hospitals and the emergency service Rescue 1122 have also been placed on high alert, he said. For sensitive areas, temporary water-drinking sites and early reaction centers, according to the chief secretary, should be erected. He urged individuals to take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from the heatwave and to heed the health department’s advice.

    The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has already issued a warning for severe heatwave conditions in upper, central, and southern Punjab during the next week.

    Read more: Rescue 1122 service to officially launch in Karachi this month

    From May 15, a high-pressure system is expected to hold the upper atmosphere, according to the Met Office.

    Day temperatures are expected to rise to 7-9 degrees Celsius above normal owing to the high pressure in upper Punjab, and 6-8 degrees Celsius beyond average in the central and south Punjab, during the heatwave.

  • Rescue 1122 service to officially launch in Karachi this month

    Rescue 1122 service to officially launch in Karachi this month

    On May 30, the Sindh government will finally launch the Rescue 1122 service in Karachi, which would provide emergency aid to those in need.

    The approval was announced at a briefing held on Thursday at the Sindh Secretariat, with Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput in the chair. The initiative to open the trauma center and Rescue 1122 service in Larkana would also be finished by May 30, according to relevant officials.

    Later on, the service would be expanded to include the province’s other divisions. The meeting resolved that on the motorway and the Indus Highway, fire engines and ambulances would be available every 50 kilometers.

    Once the ambulance service is established under the Rescue 1122 service, the fire department would follow suit. Barrister Murtaza Wahab, the Administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Law, said that a fleet of 50 ambulances will begin operating in Karachi on May 30 as part of the Rescue 1122 service.

    According to him, the Sindh government chose to introduce the rescue service in Karachi after improving the city’s civic infrastructure and transportation amenities. Under the rescue plan, he said, a quick response centre would be constructed in the city every 10 kilometres.

    Read more: Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    Meanwhile, another meeting, chaired by the Sindh chief secretary, resolved to enlist the help of the Sindh police and Rangers to combat wheat hoarding and smuggling in the state.

  • Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted torrential rainfall starting next week, putting an end to the brutal heatwave in most parts of Pakistan.

    As per the latest PMD forecast, a new weather system will develop in the country from Sunday, attracting downpours from the May 16 to May18.

    Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu Kashmir. Following the rain, the PMD predicts that temperatures in these areas will decrease radically.

    In addition, the PMD has directed that the relevant Disaster Management Authorities be on high alert in order to avert loss of life and property throughout the rainfall.

    In other news, the PMD has warned that a severe heatwave will approach Sindh. The extreme heat will extend through May 17th, with daytime temperatures in most regions exceeding usual.

    Read more: Heatwave Alert: All physical activities in Punjab schools suspended

    Daytime highs in upper Sindh will linger between 46°C and 48°C, in central Sindh districts between 43°C and 45°C, and in lower Sindh districts between 38°C and 40°C.

  • PPP doesn’t want Punjab governorship, demands ministries, chairmanship

    PPP doesn’t want Punjab governorship, demands ministries, chairmanship

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation had a meeting with Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz. Power-sharing issues were discussed between CM Hamza and the PPP delegation, reports Geo News.

    As per reports, it is being said that the PPP will give up the constitutional posts of Punjab and has decided not to take up the post of Governor. The PPP has also sought three ministries, more than two special assistants, and a chairmanship of a standing committee in Punjab. Besides, the PPP has also sought the posts of two parliamentary secretaries in Punjab.

    Leaders of both PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have also agreed to work together.

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    NEPRA hikes power tariff by Rs2.86 per unit
    
			
    NEPRA hikes power tariff by Rs2.86 per unit
    
			
    

    The National Electric Electricity Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has increased the power price by Rs2.86 per unit for the month of March 2022 due to Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) and also issued a notification in this regard.
    




    As per NEPRA’s notice, power consumers of Ex Wapda Distribution Companies (DISCOS) will be charged an increase of Rs2.86 per unit on account of FCA for March 2022 in their electricity bills for May 2022, resulting in an added strain of Rs29 billion on consumers, along with General Sales Tax (GST).
    




    The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) had urged the administration to raise the electricity tariff by Rs3.16 per unit. Except for lifeline and K-Electric (KE) customers, the hike will apply to all consumer categories.
    




    Read more: Pakistan starts oil and gas production from Dhok Sultan DS X-1
    




    Moreover, the authority also announced Rs1.38 per unit increase for K-Electric customers. For the month of February 2022, Karachi Electric (KE) requested an increase of Rs3.45 per unit. The hike will be billed to electricity customers in May 2022, according to the announcement. Except for lifeline customers who use less than 100 units per month, the tariff increase would affect all KE customers.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Severe heatwave conditions predicted by Met office from Sunday
    
			
    Severe heatwave conditions predicted by Met office from Sunday
    
			
    

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasted extreme heatwave conditions across Pakistan for the coming week, warning that high pressure will hold the upper atmosphere starting Sunday, May 8.
    




    Day temperatures are expected to steadily increase in most parts of the country from Sunday due to this high pressure, as per a notification from PMD.
    




    The temperature in upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir was expected to hover between 7-9 degrees Celsius beyond average during the day.
    




    


    




    Meanwhile, the daytime temperature of Upper and central Sindh, central and south Punjab and areas of Balochistan will likely experience temperatures between 6-8 degrees Celsius above usual.
    




    Read more: Pakistan starts oil and gas production from Dhok Sultan DS X-1
    




    The department also tweeted a warning about the heatwave’s potential effects, stating that extremely hot and dry weather might affect dams, crops, vegetables, and forests.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    PTI Punjab Governor refuses to take oath of Hamza’s cabinet
    
			
    PTI Punjab Governor refuses to take oath of Hamza’s cabinet
    
			
    

    Omer Sarfraz Cheema, the governor of Punjab, has decided not to swear in the newly-formed provincial cabinet. According to him, the resignation of Usman Buzdar is illegal.
    




    “Yesterday, a crime was committed at Governor House. My official residence was held under siege to hold the illegal oath-taking ceremony of a ‘fake’ chief minister,” said Cheema, while addressing a press conference.
    




    In his statement he repeated that Buzdar’s resignation was addressed to the Prime Minister, not the governor, adding that the former governor Sarwar could not accept a resignation which was not addressed to him, he added.
    




    “The oath-taking of Hamza Shahbaz was illegal after I rejected the resignation of Usman Buzdar on legal grounds.”
    




    He questioned how Hamza’s cabinet could be legitimate when his election and swearing-in are both ‘unlawful’. He further added that he cannot endorse anything beyond the ambit of the constitution.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Severe heatwave hits Pakistan
    
			
    Severe heatwave hits Pakistan
    
			
    

    The extreme temperature has been recorded in the month of April in Pakistan and India while the temperature of Lahore exceeded over 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday. 
    




    The severe heatwave has threatened and puts lives of millions of people at risk.  In view the imminent temperature, the  Pakistani Government has issued a health advisory, asking people to strictly follow precautionary measures to deal with the situation. 
    




    Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said, “A heatwave has hit South Asia with the temperature predicted to soar up to 49-50 degrees C. Precautionary measures must immediately be taken to prevent casualties and injuries from heat.”
    




    


    




    According to the Ministry of Climate Change, this year’s March was the hottest month since 1961.