logo
CM announces labour health, housing projects

CM announces labour health, housing projects

Express Tribune01-05-2025

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif a package worth Rs84 billion has been launched for the well-being of labourers ahead of the International Labour Day.
The miners and workers will be able to get a monthly subsidy of Rs3,000 through ration cards, she stated in her message issued to mark the day.
She added, "Workers will be able to get 13 other benefits, including digital cash transfer, advance salary and Labour Day prizes through JS Bank cards."
The chief minister said 50-bed social security hospitals had been inaugurated in Kasur and Sargodha, while a hospital would also be built in Rahim Yar Khan for the labourers.
She said state-of-the-art wellness centres would be built in three cities for the workers.
The chief minister revealed that a first-of-its-kind 200-bed modern cardiac city would be built in Lahore for the workers. She disclosed that 'teleclinics' were being set up to provide medical facilities to the workers from the best doctors. She said the inauguration of a labour colony in Taxila and a Workers Welfare Complex in the Sundar Industrial Estate was a welcome step.
She said, "A new labour colony will be built in Warburton and Phase-II of the colony in Multan will be built, while 300 day care centres are being built for the convenience of female workers of factories."
The chief minister added, "For the first time, payment of minimum wage is being ensured across the province."
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Chief Minister (SACM) Punjab Rashid Iqbal Nasrullah and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza on Thursday paid glowing tributes to workers across the province, acknowledging their crucial role in Pakistan's development and progress on the occasion of International Labour Day.
SACM Rashid Iqbal Nasrullah, in his message, called workers the "backbone of society," praising their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts that drive national growth.
"Your labour is not only a source of pride but also a cornerstone for the nation's reconstruction," he said.
He emphasised that under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provincial government is taking meaningful steps to protect workers' rights and improve their quality of life. "The Chief Minister has not only raised workers' wages but also ensured their effective implementation across Punjab," he noted.
Nasrullah added that new welfare initiatives aimed at uplifting the working class will be launched soon.
Echoing these sentiments, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza paid homage to the labour force's resilience and indispensable contributions to the city's development.
"Without the contribution of labourers, the prosperity of Lahore would not be possible," he stated in his message.
The DC highlighted the vital role played by workers in diverse sectors including construction, transport, manufacturing, sanitation, and services, calling them the pillars of Lahore's economic and social life.
He reiterated the district administration's commitment to safeguarding workers' rights, health, and safety, ensuring they receive fair treatment and dignified working conditions.
"Labourers are the backbone of our economy, and the administration stands in solidarity with them," said the DC, assuring continued prioritisation of worker welfare and empowerment in Lahore and across Punjab.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Seasonal butchers on streets with knives, cleavers
Seasonal butchers on streets with knives, cleavers

Express Tribune

time21 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Seasonal butchers on streets with knives, cleavers

Citizens across the city are finding it difficult to get professional butchers to perform the Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). Professional butchers have increased their rates by 30 to 50 per cent this year. Babu Qureshi, a professional butcher from Liaquatabad, explained that the rates for slaughtering animals vary depending on the area and the weight or size of the animal. He noted that professional butchers typically stop taking bookings three days before Eidul Azha. This year, the minimum charge for slaughtering a large, lighter-weight animal on the first day of Eid ranges from Rs20,000 to Rs30,000 and above. On the second day, the rate drops to around Rs18,000, and on the third day, it decreases further to approximately Rs15,000. Rates for heavier animals with excess weight are negotiated before the slaughtering. Professional butchers have taken bookings for multiple animals at the neighbourhood level instead of single animals. Last year, professional butchers charged Rs15,000 to Rs25,000 or more for slaughtering a large animal. This year, the rates for goats and sheep range from Rs8,000 to Rs15,000. On the second and third days, the rates for small animals decrease by 30 to 50 per cent. Qureshi added that professional butchers have prioritised bookings in upscale neighbourhoods where compensation is generally higher. In contrast, many middle- and lower-income areas are turning to seasonal butchers due to the limited availability of skilled professionals. Seasonal butchers-who work on a daily wage basis and take up butchery only during Eid-have stepped in to fill the gap. They offer their services at 30 to 50 per cent lower rates than the professional butchers. These seasonal butchers often work in groups and are more in demand in middle-class areas, where they get better wages. Rush for sharpening People are seen purchasing new tools and getting the old ones sharpened for the preparation of meat after the slaughter. As a result, shops sharpening knives and cleavers are overloaded with huge footfall of citizens. At Al-Karam Square, Mohsin Ali, the owner of a shop that sells and sharpens such tools, said that a wide variety of knives, cleavers (Bugdah) and skewers are in great demand. The prices of new tools for household use have increased by Rs100 to Rs400. Different types of knives are sold for Rs400 to Rs2,500 or more, while the price of a Bugdah ranges from Rs800 to Rs3,000. Most people opt to sharpen their old tools, with sharpening services costing Rs150 to Rs200 per tool. Some individuals purchase tools worth up to Rs3,000 for preparing sacrificial meat. Slaughtering accessories fly off shelves Exponential quantities of date palm mats and baskets were sold for Eidul Azha sacrifice purposes, with vendors reporting brisk sales in the days leading up to the festival. Amir Uddin, a vendor selling mats, baskets, and wooden chopping blocks at Gharibabad, explained that date palm mats are typically used to spread sacrificial meat, while baskets are used for distributing it. This year, on Eid, mats of different sizes were sold for Rs500 to Rs1,000, and baskets were sold for Rs200 to Rs400. Meanwhile, chopping blocks were sold at Rs100 per kilogram, with the smallest ones selling for Rs500 to Rs800. These items are made of wood and are essential for meat distribution and storage. People who perform the Sunnah of sacrifice purchase these items to facilitate the distribution of meat among family, friends, and the needy. Temporary stalls were set up across various city areas to sell these products, providing temporary employment and additional income for many people, including street vendors and artisans who craft these traditional items.

Islamabad: rates of sacrificial animals increase
Islamabad: rates of sacrificial animals increase

Business Recorder

timea day ago

  • Business Recorder

Islamabad: rates of sacrificial animals increase

ISLAMABAD: The prices of sacrificial animals have registered an increase of 75-100 per cent this year as compared with the prices of past year, revealed a survey carried out by Business Recorder. Animal traders have stated various reasons for such a huge increase in the prices including increased input costs, transportation costs, government fees and others. While the buyers have condemned animal traders for unilaterally increasing prices manifold, saying in the past they had some valid reasons but this year there is no smuggling to Afghanistan, petrol/ diesel prices are stable for the past one year, fodder prices have also not increased and the authorities have better managed animal market ridding the traders of extortion. According to buyers, on this Eidul Adha the prices of animals across major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad have skyrocketed, resulting in leaving many buyers frustrated, with rates rising by up to 75 to 100 per cent compared to last year. Last year, a smaller heifer could be purchased for Rs100,000-125,000, but this year even a low-weight one is priced at Rs200,000 or more. Buyers are increasingly voicing concerns about the lack of official regulation in animal pricing, which has led traders to set prices arbitrarily, forcing consumers to haggle for a better deal. Animals are primarily sourced from larger markets in Punjab and Sindh, with medium-sized traders incurring additional costs for transportation to metropolitans like Karachi and Lahore, including fuel, taxes, and maintenance at the local markets, which include expenses for lighting and security. Once all these costs are accounted for, traders add their margin, which can range from Rs15,000 to Rs50,000 for smaller animals and up to Rs200,000 for larger ones. A bull with three maunds of meat was priced between Rs 120,000 to Rs150,000 last year, whereas, this year, the price ranges from Rs150,000 to Rs200,000. Mosques have fixed the price of one share in a cow or bull between Rs40,000 to Rs50,000 against Rs35000 to Rs50,000 per share last year. Cattle farms in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad cater to the demand for large animals, with prices ranging from Rs0.5 million to over Rs10 million for some elite bulls. The goat market has also seen similar price increases. Medium-weight goats, which were previously sold for Rs30,000 to Rs35,000, are now priced between Rs60,000 and Rs75,000. Rates of some goats are reaching up to Rs300,000 depending on their breed and build. Rams and sheep are also experiencing a price surge, with prices ranging from Rs40,000 to Rs200,000 or more, influenced by factors like weight and appearance. Camel prices have also increased, with traders noting a growing interest in camel sacrifices over the past two years. Camels brought in from different parts of Sindh are now priced at Rs400,000 and above. According to a preliminary data compiled by Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), in 2024 around 6.8 million sacrificial animals were slaughtered on Eid-ul-Adha of which 2.9 million cows, 3.3 million goats, 385,000 sheep, 165,000 buffalos and 98,700 camels. The PTA estimated total value of the animals at $1.8 billion or Rs500 billion. The value of sacrificial animals' hides in 2024 was estimated at around 30 million. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Tourism sector: Minister/SAPM, CM G-B discuss digital media's role
Tourism sector: Minister/SAPM, CM G-B discuss digital media's role

Business Recorder

timea day ago

  • Business Recorder

Tourism sector: Minister/SAPM, CM G-B discuss digital media's role

ISLAMABAD: Fahd Haroon, Minister/Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Media, met with Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan and Minister/SACM for Commerce and Youth Affairs Zabiullah, along with other officials. The meeting focused on exploring collaborative efforts to leverage digital media and public communication to further highlight Gilgit-Baltistan's internationally acclaimed tourism sector. Recognized by leading global travel platforms as one of the top destinations for 2025, Gilgit-Baltistan continues to attract significant attention for its natural beauty and vibrant culture. Discussions also encompassed the empowerment of youth and the promotion of commerce in the region, underscoring a shared commitment to sustainable economic growth. Fahd Haroon emphasized the importance of digital platforms in amplifying the region's profile on the world stage and engaging a broader audience, while the Chief Minister, Minister/SACM, and other officials reaffirmed their dedication to driving progress across multiple sectors. This collaborative dialogue marks a significant step in strengthening partnerships that aim to enhance Gilgit-Baltistan's economic and social development through innovative communication strategies. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store