Punjab govt unveils plan for world-class travel infrastructure
Listen to article
The Punjab government has made a significant announcement to provide citizens with world-class travel facilities in the province. The move comes in response to statements made by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Information Adviser Barrister Saif, which were addressed by Punjab government spokesperson and Provincial Minister for Information, Azma Bokhari.
She clarified that the repainting of the biker lane, which was initially done by a local company on a one-year warranty, would now be redone by the same company.
She stated that no funds from the Punjab government had been spent on this work, and the project had not caused any financial loss to the government.
Addressing criticisms of the Peshawar BRT, Bokhari highlighted that it had faced multiple issues over the past five years, including delays and accidents.
She pointed out that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government still owes Rs60 billion for the Peshawar Metro project. The case surrounding the Peshawar BRT is currently ongoing in an international court.
Bokhari also criticised Barrister Saif for continuously targeting Punjab with negative comments, while not providing any information on the performance of the KP government.
She noted that in KP, people still rely on makeshift methods, like crossing rivers in boats and using bikes to navigate through floods.
Emphasising the government's focus on modern transport, Bokhari said Punjab is advancing with metro buses, the Orange Line train, and now the introduction of trams and an underground Green Line, all aimed at providing citizens with international-standard travel facilities.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan celebrates second day of Eidul-Azha with festivities
The second day of Eidul Azha is being celebrated with religious fervour and festive spirit across Pakistan. Citizens continued to offer animal sacrifices in commemoration of the Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) opn Sunday, while families enjoyed outings, food gatherings, and visits to scenic spots. Municipal authorities in cities and towns ensured the smooth disposal of offal and solid waste to maintain cleanliness during the festival. Pakistan, Iran leaders discuss bilateral ties, regional issues in Eid call Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on [day], exchanging Eid-ul-Adha greetings and discussing regional security issues, Sharif's office said in a statement. The two leaders reviewed progress on bilateral cooperation following Sharif's recent visit to Tehran, with the Pakistani premier reiterating Islamabad's desire to strengthen ties, according to the statement posted on Sharif's official Twitter account. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz )held a warm and constructive telephone conversation with the President of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian to exchange Eid-ul-Adha greetings and convey best wishes to the people of Iran and Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamenei.… — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 7, 2025 They also discussed the ongoing Pakistan-India tensions and the Gaza conflict, though no further details were provided. Sharif renewed his invitation for Pezeshkian to visit Pakistan at the earliest opportunity, the statement added. The call comes amid heightened regional tensions, with both Muslim-majority nations having recently mended ties after cross-border strikes earlier this year. Earlier on Friday President Asif Ali Zardari offered Eid-ul-Azha prayers at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday, joined by KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and ex-PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. PM Shehbaz Sharif performed prayers at Lahore's Model Town with sons Hamza and Salman Shehbaz. Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah offered prayers in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. Both the President and Prime Minister congratulated the nation and the Muslim Ummah, urging promotion of sacrifice, selflessness, and brotherhood. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz )had a telephone conversation with President Asif Ali Zardari and extended Eid-ul-Adha greetings to him. The President expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister and conveyed his best wishes. Both leaders discussed the… — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 7, 2025 Zardari called for supporting marginalised communities, drawing lessons from Prophet Ibrahim's (AS) devotion. PM Shehbaz stressed the spiritual meaning of sacrifice and collective national progress, and reaffirmed solidarity with Palestinians and Kashmiris facing oppression. COAS Gen. Syed Asim Munir, alongside other service chiefs, extended Eid greetings to the nation, honouring the sacrifices of Pakistan's martyrs and their families. Later on Friday, President Zardari hosted foreign ambassadors and PPP lawmakers at Aiwan-e-Sadr, exchanging Eid greetings and thanking diplomats for their presence. PM Shehbaz also telephoned Zardari to extend Eid wishes; the two discussed the overall political situation. DPM and FM Ishaq Dar exchange Eid greetings with counterparts in Muslim world Deputy PM Ishaq Dar held Eidul Azha calls with foreign ministers of the UAE, Malaysia, Türkiye, and Iran. They exchanged greetings, reviewed ties, and prayed for global peace, especially in Palestine, and unity of the Muslim Ummah. Let me know if you'd like an excerpt, meta description, or SEO keywords as well. Tourism surge in K-P Meanwhile on the occasion of Eid, tourist activity surged in the country's northern regions, including in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), where thousands of tourists flock to popular destinations like Mahodand Lake in Upper Swat. Perched at 9,400 feet, the lake became a major attraction, with its snow-capped surroundings transformed into a picturesque setting by an interplay of mist, rain, and sunshine. 'Every raindrop adds to the magic,' said Nasir Khan, a tourist from Peshawar enjoying the serene landscape and fresh trout with his family. Despite tourism growth, some travellers expressed concern over poor road infrastructure and high accommodation costs in areas like Kumrat Valley. Meanwhile, K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi celebrated Eid in his hometown, meeting visitors at Kundi Model Farm. He engaged in discussions on political, social, and regional matters and reaffirmed his commitment to addressing citizens' issues, highlighting the Pakistan People's Party's (PPP) dedication to public welfare. Islamabad clears 1,362 tonnes of animal waste on Eid, uses drones for cleanup The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration collected and disposed of over 81,000 animal remains — totalling 1,362 tonnes — on the first day of Eidul Azha, as part of a zero-waste drive. The large-scale campaign, monitored by Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, continued into its second day, targeting 107 dumping points across the capital. For the first time, drones were used to monitor operations and flag unattended sites for rapid response. Officials also disinfected sacrifice spots using rosewater, phenyl, and lime to prevent odours and germs.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
Illicit trade, smuggling: MoC says it doesn't maintain any related data
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) said on Thursday that it has no role in dealing with illicit (informal) trade and smuggling, nor does it maintain any related data, suggesting a 'Whole-of-Government' approach to address the issue comprehensively. This proposal was put forward by Additional Secretary (Trade Policy), Salman Mufti, during a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali. Senators Faisal Saleem Rahman and Zeeshan Khan Zada also attended the meeting. The sub-committee convened to assess the validity of claims made by the economic think tank PRIME and, if substantiated, to propose sustainable solutions. Pakistan loses Rs750bn tax revenue to illicit trade, smuggling yearly: report PRIME, which includes retired FBR officials among its members, claimed that illicit trade of five items in Pakistan accounts for 56% of total trade, while formal (legal) trade represents only 44%. According to their estimates, the total value of illegal trade is Rs 750 billion annually, including Rs 300 billion in tobacco, Rs 60–65 billion in pharmaceuticals, Rs 106 billion in tyres and lubricants, Rs 270 billion in petrol/diesel, and Rs 10 billion in tea. PRIME also referenced a claim by a member of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), a former FBR officer with experience in Customs Intelligence, who estimated the volume of illicit trade at $16 billion annually. These figures, particularly the Rs 300 billion attributed to the tobacco sector, raised concerns among committee members, who questioned their accuracy. The Executive Director of PRIME, however, distanced himself from full responsibility for the data, noting that the figures were sourced from various surveys and United Nations reports. Committee members from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) argued that survey-based data is often perception-driven and lacks concrete evidence. 'The figures related to the tobacco sector appear exaggerated. If they are accurate, then action must be taken against the officials of the relevant agencies for failing to curb this menace,' said Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman, who also chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Interior. He referred to the ongoing national campaign 'Behtareen Pakistan,' which also cites the Rs 300 billion figure for illegal tobacco trade. He warned that if the figure is proven incorrect, PRIME should retract its report, which has been used by major cigarette manufacturers to justify the campaign. 'As someone from KP — where districts like Swabi, Mardan, and Charsadda are major tobacco-growing areas—it is my responsibility to safeguard the rights of our farmers. As Chairman of the Interior Committee, I must also uphold the integrity of law enforcement agencies,' he added. Senator Zeeshan Khan Zada supported his colleague, recommending that the reported financial loss figures be independently verified. He called for a joint meeting of all stakeholders—both public and private—to hear diverse viewpoints and reach a well-informed conclusion. Senator Sarmad Ali suggested inviting representatives from Pakistan Tobacco Company and Philip Morris to the next meeting, along with local cigarette manufacturers, tobacco growers, FBR officials, and law enforcement agencies, to provide a platform for all stakeholders to present their perspectives. The committee also plans to hold a separate meeting focusing on the pharmaceutical sector to investigate the causes of illicit trade and its impact on national revenue. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Climate Action Board Bill approved
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the "Climate Action Board (CAB) Bill 2025." Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Dr Saif, stated that the bill would provide a comprehensive and effective framework to tackle climate change across province. He said that the CAB will be an autonomous financial body, responsible for monitoring and coordinating environmental strategies across all government departments. The board will also be tasked with developing and revising environmental policies, conducting research, assessing performance, and ensuring effective implementation. Furthermore, it will have the authority to collaborate with international organizations, environmental experts, and the private sector to address environmental challenges. Saif added that a special "Climate Action Fund" would be established under the board to financially support environmental projects and encourage eco-friendly initiatives at the local level. He emphasized that the initiative marked the second major environmental project by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, following the success of the Billion Tree Tsunami Project, and aimed to mitigate the risks of climate change while promoting sustainable development. Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day 2025 The Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar in collaboration with Menstrual Health Management (MHM) Working Group Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, WaterAid, UNICEF, and other sector partners, organized a high-level event at KMU's Alexander Fleming Hall. The event held under the global theme "Together for a "Period Friendly World," the event brought together health professionals, representatives from academic and research institutions, development partners, and youth. KMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zia Ul Haq graced the occasion as the chief guest and reaffirmed the collective commitment to ending menstrual taboos and promoting dignified menstrual health. More input from APP
