‘Nation applauds Field Marshal's meeting with Trump': minister
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that while Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is launching modern air ambulances to serve the people of Punjab, the KP government, by contrast, has merely introduced rickshaws — a clear reflection of the priorities of the two administrations.
Commenting on the recent meeting between Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump, she said the encounter has rattled Modi's government and the 'Fitna' group, but brought pride and joy to the people of Pakistan. She added that world leaders are accorded respect on the global stage based on their national contributions, integrity, and service — as was clearly demonstrated by the warm reception given to Field Marshal Asim Munir in the United States.
Speaking on Punjab's rapid development, Azma Bokhari noted that under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's leadership, the province is experiencing an unprecedented era of progress. As part of recent initiatives, 911 vehicles have been inducted into the 'Clinic on Wheels' fleet to ensure timely medical assistance for the public, she said.
Highlighting the provincial budget 2025-26, Bokhari said it is a balanced, tax-free, and people-friendly financial plan that truly reflects a commitment to public welfare. She emphasized that the budget not only offers relief to salaried individuals but also lays the foundation for strengthening the economy by expanding the tax net. Efforts are underway to bring non-filers into the tax system, aiming to promote transparency and accountability.
While addressing a joint press conference at DGPR alongside Provincial Minister for Labour and Sports, Malik Faisal Ayub, the minister information further stated that the Punjab government is making substantial investments in education, healthcare, sanitation, and transport. Under the 'Clean Punjab' campaign, exemplary cleanliness arrangements were made during Eid-ul-Azha, and soon, 1,100 eco-friendly buses will be operational across the province.
Azma Bokhari praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's vision, noting that she considers every public rupee a sacred trust and is steering Punjab toward sustainable growth through transparent governance. Concluding the press conference, Bokhari reiterated the government's resolve to continue working for the development and welfare of every segment of society.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
PTI's propaganda cell echoes Indian media's narrative: Azma
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that the narrative propagated by Indian media is being replicated and amplified by a specific propaganda cell affiliated with PTI, which is an extremely dangerous trend against national interest. Speaking to the media at the Punjab Assembly, she said that spreading any news on social media without verification falls under the category of propaganda. 'Such behaviour is not only misleading but also harmful to national security,' she emphasised. Azma Bokhari further remarked that certain individuals spread sensational content on social media but neither apologise nor properly retract their posts, by which time the misinformation has already reached innocent and unsuspecting citizens. She stressed the need for firm legal and administrative action against such elements to ensure that no one in the future can engage in such anti-national campaigns with impunity. She added that the dissemination of false and fabricated information on social media is an attempt to create mistrust between state institutions and the public—something that will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Azma Bokhari called for decisive action against these propaganda trolls to eliminate any potential threats to national security. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Signal-free corridor takes shape in Pindi
Nawaz Sharif Flyover from Khawaja Corporation on Adiala Road, along with two underpasses on Mall Road and an underground pedestrian walkway, has entered its final phase of completion. These projects are expected to be inaugurated later this month. Additionally, the construction of a flyover and underpasses at the busy Kachehri Chowk, as well as underpasses at Qasim Market, Race Course, and Charing Cross, is expected to commence soon — likely during the ongoing summer vacation period of educational institutions, in order to expedite completion. Having been constructed at a cost of Rs2.3 billion, Nawaz Sharif Flyover at Khawaja Corporation Chowk on Adiala Road is in its final stage. Although the project could not be inaugurated on June 3 as initially planned, it is now expected to be inaugurated by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on June 30. On the same day, she is also likely to inaugurate two underpasses on Mall Road — at Flashman Hotel Chowk and Mall Plaza Chowk — as well as the underground pedestrian walkway near AFIC. This project is expected to be completed by June 30 as well, with a total cost of Rs4.388b. Meanwhile, a decision has been made to construct additional underpasses at three of the busiest intersections on Mall Road and Peshawar Road: Qasim Market, Race Course Chowk, and Charing Cross. The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has been instructed to relocate underground utilities — electricity, gas, water supply, and sewerage — from these locations to facilitate construction. Moreover, a major project involving the remodelling and expansion of Kachehri Chowk has been approved. This project includes the construction of two flyovers and three underpasses, with an estimated cost of Rs8.5b. The Punjab government has already allocated funds for this project. Sources say following the completion of the two flyovers and three underpasses at Kachehri Chowk, and with the construction of five underpasses on Mall Road and Peshawar Road, this entire route will effectively become a signal-free corridor up to Motorway Chowk. It is worth noting that an underpass at Golra Mor has already been completed and is operational. The Punjab government is funding all these infrastructure projects, which are being executed by the provincial Communications and Works (C&W) Department. Schools get operational boost The Punjab Education Department has released an amount of Rs464.5 million for the operational expenses of all public schools in the Rawalpindi Division. An amount of Rs4.58715 billion has been released for the fourth and final quarter of the outgoing fiscal year to cover operational expenses and utility bills for all 43,000 public primary, middle, high, and higher secondary schools across the province.
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
SBP injects record high Rs14.3trn in banks for seven days
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has injected a record high Rs14.3 trillion in conventional commercial and Shariah-compliant banks for one week to help overcome the shortage of liquidity in the system after people withdrew significant cash during Eid-ul-Adha and external inflows delayed, it was learnt on Friday. The volume of the injection through open market operations (OMO) comes to almost 44% of the total deposits standing at Rs32.7 trillion in May 2025, according to the central bank latest data. SBP injects massive Rs11.85 trillion into banking system for up to 14 days Citing SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad from an analysts briefing held after the issuance of the latest monetary policy at the outset this week, Arif Habib Limited (AHL) and Topline Research said the OMO stock had increased mainly due to two reasons, including higher currency in circulation during Eid (temporary effect) and delays in external inflows. 'However, OMO levels are expected to decline in the coming weeks as (external) inflows materialise,' AHL reported Ahmad saying this. AHL's Sana Tawfiq and AKD Securities' Awais Ashraf said the cumulative supply of over Rs14 trillion to banks through OMO were record high injections. Elaborating SBP Governor Ahmad's reasoning for the elevated OMO stocks, Tawfiq said people withdrew huge cash from banks during Eid that reduced deposits levels and created additional demand for liquidity in the system. Besides, the reliance of the government on domestic debt has spiked after external inflows from multilateral creditors like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and Asian Development Bank (ADB) got delayed. She added the government reliance on domestic debt, including the one from commercial banks, had been on the rise, as the collection of revenue in taxes had remained low compared to government expenditure. The low tax collection was increasing fiscal deficit, which is being met through piling up debt. Ashraf said the external inflows had remained low for the past two to three years, shifting the government reliance solely on domestic debt to finance budget deficit. Pakistan salaried class rejects govt's claim of giving relief in income tax He said commercial bank financing and national saving schemes had remained two rich avenues available with the government to raise new debt. Out of total Rs31.8 trillion the domestic debt, the share of bank loans had stood at Rs28.1 trillion at present, he added. SBP OMO breakup The breakup of the data suggest the SBP injected Rs13.9 trillion into conventional commercial banks at the rate of return of 11.03% for a period of seven days, as it accepted all the 34 quotes received from banks for the loan. The central bank supplied another Rs375 billion to Shariah compliant banks at the rate of return of 11.11% for seven days, accepting all the three quotes received from Islamic banks.
