Latest news with #Auqaf
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Minister, CBC delegates discuss establishment of China Business Park
LAHORE: A delegation of Chinese Business Council met with Punjab Minister for Industries, Commerce, and Auqaf Chaudhry Shafay Hussain. The delegation was led by Executive Chairman of the Chinese Business Council, Chen Qiang Jiang. During the meeting, the provision of waqf land of the Auqaf Department for the establishment of China Business Park was reviewed. Provincial Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain stated that approval from the provincial cabinet will be sought to lease the waqf land of the Auqaf Department for the China Business Park. The minister directed that a proposal be prepared for leasing the Auqaf Department's land and instructed that a survey be conducted of the land connected to the shrine of Hazrat Noor Shah Attari near Ferozepur Road regarding industrial infrastructure. Chaudhry Shafay Hussain further stated that the Chinese Business Council should present a complete plan regarding the establishment and investment of the business park. The Council may also set up business park in Punjab's special economic zones. The minister added that many foreign investment companies, including those from China, have already invested in Punjab, and many more are ready to do so. 'Bringing new investment to Punjab is my mission and all possible steps are being taken to achieve this goal,' he emphasized. Executive Chairman of the Chinese Business Council, Chen Qiang Jiang said that the Council intends to establish a China Business Park in Punjab and will invite Chinese companies to invest in it. He mentioned that companies from China associated with shoe making, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, technology, and other sectors are ready to invest in the region. The meeting was also attended by Secretary Auqaf Dr Tahir Raza Bukhari, Additional Secretary Auqaf, Director General Auqaf, and other concerned officers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
09-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
CM Gandapur calls for operationalising BHUs
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has directed that all non-functional Basic Health Units (BHUs) be made operational immediately. He also ordered that staff shortages be addressed through ad-hoc hiring, with the process to be completed within one month. Similarly, he instructed that the provision of missing facilities in schools should be addressed on priority basis, with a special focus on providing such facilities in girls' schools first. During his day long visit to district Mardan on Wednesday, the CM chaired an important meeting at the office of the Commissioner Mardan. Elected public representatives from Mardan Division, the chief secretary, additional chief secretaries, relevant administrative secretaries, and senior officials from divisional and district administrations attended the meeting. The meeting took a detailed review of governance matters and the progress on development projects reflected in the development program. The divisional administration also briefed the chief minister on the implementation of the provincial government's good governance strategy and his public agenda across all sectors. Expressing satisfaction over governance and development-related matters in the division, the CM instructed the authorities to take necessary steps to further improve these areas. He emphasized that health and education sectors are one of the priority areas of the provincial government, and special attention should be given to the service delivery in these sectors. He directed that special attention should be given to resolving revenue cases including "Khana Kasht" cases, a crackdown should be launched against land mafia occupying state land, and unused government land should be utilized under the new lease policy of the provincial government to generate revenue. Gandapur directed that viable proposals for resolving the issue of Auqaf land in Mardan should be submitted within one month.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC adjourns hearing on Aquaf land dispute
The Peshawar High Court has adjourned the hearing on a contempt of court petition filed against the non-recovery of 36,000 kanals of land owned by the Auqaf Department in Kalu Shah area of Mardan despite prior court orders. The court also sought a report on whether the land would be re-leased or returned to its original owner. A two-member bench comprising acting Chief Justice of PHC SM Attiq Shah and Sahibzada Asadullah heard the contempt of court petition filed by the chief administrator Auqaf. Administrator Auqaf Yousaf Ali Momand, Assistant Commissioner Takht Bhai Junaid Khalid, Additional Advocate General Inam Yousafzai appeared in court on behalf of Auqaf while Aminur Rehman Yousafzai Advocate and Nasir Mahmood Advocate represented the lease holders of the lands. Administrator Auqaf Yousaf Ali Mohmand told the court that action was taken a day earlier to ensure the implementation of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding the ownership of the land. Police and other agencies went to recover the land from the occupants. However, the illegal occupants opened fire, injuring a patwari. As the situation became tense, the concerned administration stopped the operation after consulting higher authorities, while a case was registered against 27 people for firing on police under Anti-Terrorism Act. Conversely, the lawyers of the leaseholders argued that despite clear PHC orders, the police and administration attempted to seized the land, which they claimed constituted contempt of court. In response, Administrator Auqaf and Additional Advocate General Inam Yousafzai clarified that no action was taken against leaseholders or individuals with a PHC stay order, the operation specifically targeted illegal land grabbers. On this occasion, the lawyer of the leaseholders told the court that the PHC has issued a stay order on the same land and now several people have come to become parties in this case. The court directed that the report in light of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan should be submitted to the court by April 10. It directed that action should be taken against the accused named in the FIR as per the law. The court adjourned further hearing.
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
4m riyals saved under Hajj costs
The Ministry of Religious Affairs' Additional Secretary informed the National Assembly Standing Committee that one Hajj assistant will accompany every 150 pilgrims to provide assistance. Additionally, the ministry has saved four million riyals in transportation costs for Hajj pilgrims. The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, chaired by Senator Attaur Rehman, was held to discuss Hajj arrangements and related issues. The Additional Secretary stated that a 12-member procurement committee had been formed for Hajj arrangements. The committee chairman suggested including a parliamentarian in the procurement committee, highlighting that pilgrims face numerous issues every year. Committee members raised concerns over the selection process of Hajj assistants through the National Testing Service (NTS), pointing out that the NTS exam paper was leaked in the previous selection process. Senator Kamran Murtaza emphasized that the leaked paper was even circulated in a video, which he claimed to have as evidence. In response, the Additional Secretary acknowledged isolated incidents of cheating but defended the overall process as transparent and merit-based. He noted that, in the past, Hajj assistants were appointed based on personal connections and recommendations, whereas now they must pass an exam. NTS officials stated that, out of 50,000 candidates, only two or three were caught with mobile phones during the test. However, Senator Bushra Butt criticized the NTS for failing to prevent cheating and mobile phone usage during the exam. The committee chairman called for a thorough investigation into the matter. The Additional Secretary also stated that if there are any allegations of financial corruption involving NTS or the Ministry of Religious Affairs, they should be formally brought forward. Regarding the Auqaf Department, he informed the committee that the Supreme Court had ordered the transfer of Auqaf land. According to the law, anyone occupying the land until 2010 is considered a tenant. He added that the income generated from Auqaf properties is used for the maintenance of gurdwaras and temples. Senator Ali Zafar noted that the Ministry of Law had yet to respond to the Muslim Family Law Amendment Bill. He mentioned that scholars from around the world are willing to provide a briefing on the bill via Zoom. Senator Kamran Murtaza cautioned against complicating marriage and divorce laws, emphasizing that marriage is a social contract. Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan warned that if the law is amended to include property division in divorce cases, people might avoid marriage, as has been observed in Europe.
