logo
IG Punjab orders upgradation of all police lines

IG Punjab orders upgradation of all police lines

LAHORE: Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar, has taken a commendable initiative by issuing orders for the upgradation of all Police Lines across the province, including Lahore.
IG Punjab stated that Rs 1 billion will be spent on the upgradation of Police Lines during the current fiscal year. 'Special focus will be given to the boundary walls, barracks, and kitchens of the Police Lines. Boundary walls will be made foolproof due to security concerns. Installation of additional lights, watch posts, and barbed wire will be ensured. Residential barracks for personnel will be reconstructed and renovated. Provision of all necessary facilities in the barracks will be ensured. Kitchens and stores will be upgraded in accordance with hygiene standards.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Auditor General of Pakistan asked to conduct IPPs' audit
Auditor General of Pakistan asked to conduct IPPs' audit

Business Recorder

time14 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Auditor General of Pakistan asked to conduct IPPs' audit

ISLAMABAD: Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has launched a renewed push for accountability in Pakistan's power sector, directing the Auditor General of Pakistan to conduct a special audit of Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The move comes amid growing concerns over soaring capacity payments, questionable policy decisions, and the economic burden placed on citizens. Chaired by MNA Junaid Akbar, the PAC meeting scrutinized nearly a decade of data related to the country's private power generation sector. Despite a sharp rise in installed capacity—from 9,765 MW in 2015 to 26,642 MW in 2024 — and a doubling of electricity generation, members questioned whether these investments delivered value for money. More alarming was the escalation in capacity payments to IPPs, which ballooned from Rs 141.5 billion in 2015 to a staggering Rs 1.434 trillion in 2024. These payments are made regardless of actual electricity supplied and are now seen as a major contributor to the spiraling cost of electricity in Pakistan. Chinese CPEC IPPs press Pakistan govt for Rs475bn dues 'This is not just about numbers—it's about decisions that have economically burdened millions,' one PAC member remarked during the session. The Committee criticized the Power Division and its affiliated agencies for failing to provide comprehensive data on energy generation, usage, and cost-effectiveness. The establishment of the Sahiwal coal plant using imported coal came under heavy fire, with lawmakers questioning the rationale behind choosing expensive and environmentally harmful energy sources. 'When the world is exiting coal, why is Pakistan digging deeper into it—literally and financially?' asked one member. Environmental costs and transport inefficiencies only added to the scrutiny. Another major issue raised was the apparent misappropriation of Rs 45 billion from fuel payments to capital expenditures. The matter was referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for a full inquiry and potential recovery. Members also flagged the paradox of load-shedding continuing despite surplus generation capacity. The Committee demanded to know why the surplus power was not being directed toward industrial and agricultural growth. The Power Division Secretary said that limited surplus electricity was temporarily provided to industries during the winter with IMF consent—and a longer-term plan is under consideration. The Committee also targeted inconsistencies in energy policy, such as the continued reliance on imported LNG while cheaper domestic gas plants remain idle—yet still receive capacity payments. With millions living below the poverty line, members described this as 'an unacceptable failure of governance.' Concern was also raised about the complex criteria for 'protected consumers.' Lawmakers argued that the six-month condition for receiving subsidies unfairly excludes vulnerable households. Officials disclosed that protected consumers increased from 11 million in 2018–19 to 18.7 million in 2025, with subsidies now reaching Rs 389.9 billion annually. A shift to a targeted subsidy system via BISP data is planned by 2027. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Value of Diyat notified at Rs9.83m
Value of Diyat notified at Rs9.83m

Business Recorder

time18 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Value of Diyat notified at Rs9.83m

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has notified the value of Diyat (compensation in lieu of life) at Rs9.83 million for the financial year 2025-26. According to a notification issued by the Finance Division (Internal Finance Wing) on Monday, the government, in pursuance of sub-section (2) of Section 323 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), has declared Rs9,828,670 as the value of 30,630 grams of silver, which is prescribed as Diyat. Under the PPC, the value of Diyat is re-determined each year based on the market price of silver and is payable to the legal heirs of a victim. For the current fiscal year, the amount stands higher than the previous year reflecting the rise in silver prices. The fixed sum is binding for courts and institutions dealing with cases related to Diyat during fiscal year 2025-26. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Karachi & Hyderabad: CM reviews uplift projects worth Rs78bn
Karachi & Hyderabad: CM reviews uplift projects worth Rs78bn

Business Recorder

time18 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Karachi & Hyderabad: CM reviews uplift projects worth Rs78bn

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over a meeting to review the Development Portfolio of the Local Government Department for the financial year 2025-26, which stands at Rs 78.087 billion. The CM said that Rs 78.087 billion is allocated for 765 development schemes - 696 ongoing schemes and 60 new schemes, including 16 carry-forward schemes and 44 new schemes in the portfolio. Additionally, Rs 8288.680 million has been allocated for nine schemes included in the Mega Projects Karachi. He also reviewed mega development schemes of Karachi and Hyderabad, being undertaken by the LG Department. The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by LG Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, LG Secretary Waseem Shamshad and other senior officers. The CM was told that this year's allocation is Rs 86,375.6 million, against which Rs 23,390.821 million have been released, while the utilisation is recorded at Rs1412.293 million. The overall progress on the ongoing schemes was reported at 7 per cent while the news schemes have been approved by the P&D recently. Karachi Development Schemes: The CM was briefed that Karachi has six major development schemes worth Rs 8.2 billion. These include the establishment of Allama Iqbal Park in the FB Area, the rehabilitation of Nehr-e-Khayam in District South, the construction of a sports complex in District Central, the reconstruction of the Korangi Causeway, and road construction in Sachal Goth. Additionally, there are efforts to rehabilitate the drainage system in Manzoor Colony, stormwater drain projects including works on Thado Nallah, Mehran Drain, Malir River at N-5 Murghi Khana, and junction works on the Korangi Causeway at Shahrah-e-Bhutto. The CM directed the LG Department to accelerate progress on these mega schemes, announcing that he would personally visit project sites soon. 'We must speed up the implementation of Karachi's development projects,' he said. Karachi also has 13 new schemes planned for FY 2025–26, including development of old city areas and major business districts, rehabilitation of old KMC markets, road restoration from Check Post-4 (Malir Cantt) to M-9 Motorway, road construction from Check Post-3 to Shahrah-e-Bhutto, development of IB Soomro Avenue and Memon Mamar roads, construction of roads in Shah Faisal Colony, storm-water drain rehabilitation, link roads to Shahrah-e-Bhutto, new roads from Gulshan-e-Hadeed Mor to Allah Wali Chowrangi, from Hub River Road (Turi Bangash) to Ittehad Town, the Karachi Traffic Corridor Project, a flyover crossing at Gujjar Nallah, construction on Sir Shah Suleman Road, Kidney Hill Park at the Bird Aviary site, development of Gutter Baghicha as a public park, upgrades at various graveyards, construction of a hockey ground near Ziauddin Hospital in Nazimabad. Hyderabad Development Schemes: The CM was also briefed on three new schemes for Hyderabad under the 2025–26 worth Rs4.4 billion, including a 23-inch diameter water supply scheme connecting the Combined Channel to a 6 MGD filtration plant at Latifabad Unit-4, costing Rs 1.2 billion, Construction of a 6 MGD Rapid Gravity Water Treatment Plant at Masri Goth, Qasimabad, with a cost of Rs 2 billion and Establishment of a six-MGD Water Filtration Plant at Khanpota. The CM instructed officials to start work immediately on these projects, emphasising that Hyderabad's road infrastructure had already been improved, and the completion of water and filtration schemes would resolve long-standing issues of the city. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store